I grew up down the street from Emmet Elementary in Austin. In 2013, Chicago closed 50 schools, disproportionately affecting under-resourced neighborhoods like Austin. The shuttering of Emmet Elementary School felt like a devastating loss for our community, but when Westside Health Authority (WHA) acquired the property, we saw a chance to reclaim it as a hub for economic empowerment, job creation, and community resilience.
The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation is the result of what can happen when a community takes the lead and brings together strategic partnerships to support its vision. From the beginning, the community shaped the Aspire Center’s purpose. Through summits and meetings, the community envisioned a center for workforce training, financial literacy, and career pathways in accessible industries with living-wage careers, like advanced manufacturing. WHA’s leadership ensured the property reflected local priorities, supported by grassroots efforts that raised $20,000 to secure the site and preserve community ownership.
Strong partnerships were essential to achieving the Aspire Center’s bold dream. United Way of Metro Chicago played a crucial role in connecting us with funders and corporate allies, like BMO, a capital investor and tenant. BMO will offer coaching services, financial education, and employment support, directly empowering residents. BMO’s commitment to investing in a consultative branch at this location reinforces Aspire Center’s holistic approach to workforce and economic development, addressing broader needs beyond access to job opportunities. As Sean Garrett, president and CEO of United Way of Metro Chicago, put it: “Our job is to help bring people together, find resources, and help in any way we can.”
For communities facing similar challenges, Aspire Center can serve as a blueprint for transforming disused public properties into resources that address community needs. At the corner of Madison and Central, Aspire Center will serve as an anchor to boost business along Austin’s main commercial corridor.
Aspire Center proves that even when facing intentional, systemic disinvestment, communities can lead change on their terms through strategic and purposeful collaboration.