This summer, Related Affordable Foundation supported Chicago-area teens with diverse and engaging programming designed to get them involved in their communities and to help them build skills for their futures. Related Affordable Foundation partnered with nonprofit After School Matters (ASM) for the Sketch and Design to Shine program for teens hosted at affordable residence South Shore on the Park. Funded by Related Affordable Foundation, ASM's 2025 summer initiative invited teen residents and members of the community to develop their own individual art projects and collaborate on a custom rolling fence mural that will enhance two new tot lots at nearby Marshall Field Garden Apartments, another affordable residence in Chicago. Led by local artist Erick “ROHO” Garcia—who has worked with ASM on a number of Related Affordable Foundation-funded programs, such as the creation of South Shore's mural in 2024—the engaging six-week experience offered hands-on creative and teamwork experience for South Shore's young residents. The program also helped solidify South Shore's newly renovated community center as a vibrant hub where residents can express themselves, connect with their neighbors and get involved in their community.Additionally, Related Affordable Foundation partnered with ASM and nonprofit HIRE360 to launch Next Builders: Intro to Construction Trades, a paid program offering a summer cohort for 16- to 18-year-olds in Chicago. Residents of Circle Park, Marshall Field Garden and South Shore affordable communities joined the summer program, which is designed to introduce teens to the construction trades using a hands-on, project-based curriculum and field trips that guide participants to develop critical life and work skills. During the six-week summer program, teens earned CPR certification, gained OSHA Four certification and completed a construction trades pre-certification tying in with the MC3 curriculum, which was developed and approved by the Building Trades National Apprenticeship and Training Committee. After finishing the program, teens are offered opportunities for further career development, including automatic eligibility to apply to HIRE360’s paid pre-apprenticeship programs for older teens, and youth engagement efforts with HIRE360 for younger teens such as paid internships with local contractors and additional trades training through a Chicago Public Schools program.
