The fourth annual Sneaker Ball was a huge success. Hosted by the After School Matters Associate Board, hundreds of guests came out in their freshest outfits paired with their most coveted kicks in support of Chicago teens on Saturday, April 13 at the Chicago Sports Museum. Together, we raised more than $150,000 for the After School Matters Stipend Fund, ensuring young people in our programs are paid for the amazing work they do all year round!
Emcees Tre Ward, ABC7 Chicago Anchor, and Ciara Evans, ASM alum, kicked off the night with a warm welcome to guests. Our Latinos Juntos Dance program started the dance party with a riveting performance that combined Chicago House Music with Latin dance. After the talented teens’ performance, Tatiana Torres, a Latinos Juntos Dance Instructor, taught guests how to dance merengue. Plus, DJ John Simmons kept the dance party going all night long with good tunes and great vibes.
Teens in the Advanced Visual Arts at Gately program showed off their skills by creating a live mural throughout the event. The drawing of a pair of sneakers was auctioned off at the end of the night to one lucky winner.
Young graphic designers in the Digital Visionaries program helped guests create their own buttons to take home, the Nu Sound Studio teens shared the beats they created with guests, and our Mosaic Arts program worked with guests hands-on.
The ASM Gift Shop sold lots of teen-created jewelry, mosaics, paintings and swag to attendees in support of our young artists. Attendees took part in a raffle and won concert tickets, gift cards to popular Chicago restaurants and many other prizes.
Thank you to all our donors, guests and sponsors, which included Locke Lord, Elliott Rodgers, COO of Foot Locker, Clayco, Peoples Gas, Ulta Beauty, Anonymous, Barry Callebaut USA LLC., Kellanova, Mondo, Thomas A. and Georgina T. Russo, Mr. Doug Weiss, Chicago Bulls, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and NASCAR who helped make Sneaker Ball a success!
Save the date for ASM’s Annual Gala, which will be on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 167 Events in the Fulton Market area.
How To Help:
For more than 30 years, After School Matters has been investing in Chicago communities by offering paid after-school and summer programs in the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM to Chicago teens. Support these efforts by donating or visit the After School Matters website to see how else can help.
