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Chicago, IL – September 29, 2014 – As children returned to school this September, creative werks provided hundreds of backpacks, pencils and notebooks to Chicago Public School (CPS) students.
“Receiving an education is paramount for our youth's development and growth,” remarks creative werks’ founder and President Steve Schroeder. “Being equipped with the basic school necessities is a small step, but it’s an important one.” This fall CPS reports that over 400,000 students are enrolled in classrooms city-wide and 85% of these students qualify for free or reduced lunch programs.
In addition to providing school supplies, creative werks is also partnering with Chicago-based After School Matters (ASM), a nonprofit organization that provides high school teens with innovative and constructive after school activities in the areas of: technology, art, science and sports. Founded in 1991 by Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley, the organization collaborates with Chicago companies to provide resources, internships and volunteer opportunities to help prepare teens for college and the workforce. In October and November, creative werks will participate in a beautification project along with a resume and interview session to help prepare students for upcoming college applications, scholarship opportunities and job interviews.
“After School Matters is making an powerful impact on Chicago teenagers. The organization provides thousands of opportunities for students to explore their interests and invest in their futures,” Schroeder says. “I'm amazed by the variety and depth of the programs offered and how every ASM student can discover a creative outlet that will bring insight and skills to the workforce and better their chances of graduating and attending college.”
About After School Matters
Founded in 1991 by former Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley, After School Matters is a nonprofit organization that offers Chicago high school teens high quality, out-of-school-time opportunities to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. Over the past two decades, more than 100,000 teens have participated in our hands-on, project-based arts, communications, science, sports and technology programs at Chicago public high schools, community locations across the city and Downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts. After School Matters programs are developed and delivered through a network of public and private partnerships, including Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Public Library and a wide range of community organizations.
About creative werks
creative werks’ mission is to be the ultimate packaging partner, to deliver the highest quality products that exceed our clients’ expectations and win the hearts of consumers. Headquartered in Bensenville, Illinois, creative werks designs, manufactures and fulfills cost-effective packaging solutions for client’s retail success. The creative werks team brings over 50 years of entrepreneurial energy to their state-of-the-art manufacturing, co-packing and design facility. It maintains SQF 2000 Level III food-grade facilities to provide both labor-intensive and automated fulfillment for Fortune 100 food brands. In addition, creative werks is an EPA Green Power Leader running all 550,000 square feet of space on wind energy.