Chicago Learning Exchange is an open, connected community dedicated to transforming the learning landscape.
We are a Network of civic and cultural institutions who are creating opportunities for youth to explore their interests in virtual and physical spaces. We empower educators to create and collaborate in the interest of bettering learning experiences for the young people they serve. Meanwhile, through connection to a learning network, youth will have multiple, continuous and connected opportunities to explore their intellectual and skill-based interests.
04/15/2026
Excited to be in community at the April meetup!
You will get a chance to connect with librarians to think about partnership!
And, we will have opportunities to share input as a OST leader as part of the ’s working groups to inform the elected school board and other CPS stakeholders.
Let’s make OST for ALL a reality in Illinois. Afterschool programs and youth development in schools are a necessity not a nice to have!
Shout out to for leading the fight in IL. We are with you and repping Chicago.
03/02/2026
Don’t forget to register for the Summer Xchange + Advocacy, co-hosted with ACT Now Illinois on March 19.
This will be the perfect space to connect with other youth-serving organizations and OST providers across Chicago. We will be sharing resources, planning for summer programs, and discussing advocacy efforts that support Chicago’s youth.
And don’t miss the tours of the South Side STEM Station at the end of the meeting!
12/02/2025
We are heading to the Art Institute for a morning of restorative practices and creative mindfulness. Connect with youth-development colleagues and engage in a workshop on Circle-Keeping Practices with Strong Community Collective. Come ready to pause, reflect, and recharge. Museum tickets will be available for attendees to visit the galleries after the program!
🗓Thursday, December 18, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
📍Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
11/05/2025
Join us on Thursday, November 20, at Chicago Center for Arts & Technology for our November Meetup.
We’ll be sharing resources, exchanging strategies, and co-creating action plans to support youth and families facing today's challenges.
This session will include a continuation of our ICE emergency planning discussion, small-group working sessions, and a collaborative space to build solutions together.
📅 Thursday, November 20, 2025 9am-12pm
📍 CHI CAT – 1701 W 13th St, Chicago
🔗 Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/d8h3D4ZW
10/29/2025
Thank you to everyone that joined our CLX October Meetup! Your passion for OST and commitment to impact storytelling filled the room with great energy. We loved seeing your Afterschool reflections.
💡 Your stories are the evidence of why matters.
See you at the November Meetup!
10/23/2025
CLX joins afterschool and youth development/empowerment organizations across the nation to shine a light on the importance of out-of-school time learning and spaces. We are sharing our impact stories together at the October Meetup. A huge thanks to and Margaret Conway of Convergence Design Lab for supporting our fall launch of programs!
Afterschool matters because students tell us it matters. They learn and engage in ways beyond the classroom setting.
Why does community like CLX matter to supporting afterschool?
05/30/2025
Summer time Chi is almost here! Join us for a community kickback to connect with others in the OST community before summer programming commences!
04/25/2025
CLX celebrates Chicago's Out-of-School Time educator community for Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week.
Meet CLX member and OST superstar Jessica Alcazar! Jessica is Senior Educator at the Art Institute of Chicago and runs the Learning Lab programs for teens at the museum. Jessica has extensive experience connecting youth people to enriching experiences with art in the AIC galleries. Learn more about her work in this months CLX newsletter. Visit our website at www.chicagolx.org to subscribe.