The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation stands as a testament to the power of community organizing and collective vision. Built on the efforts of passionate advocates and community trailblazers, this project reflects a legacy crafted by and for the people it serves. Here are some highlights from the journey to revitalize the site at 5500 W. Madison.
2013
CPS closes Emmet School, but Austin steps up and fights for it to be repurposed to continue addressing the community needs, holding ground while other government agencies proposed alternative uses that residents did not agree with.
2018
Over the next several years, the former school building remains vacant and at risk of being demolished, until Westside Health Authority (WHA) officially acquires the site. At the same time, Austin Coming Together is stewarding a grassroots effort for the community to create its first-ever quality-of-life plan called Austin Forward. Together. (AFT).
Recognizing an unique opportunity to partner, WHA and ACT collaborate with AFT leaders to reimagine the closed Emmet school space, which gets included as a focal project of the AFT plan.
With support from LISC Chicago, planners at Teska Associates lead a visioning session to brainstorm ways the community could address critical needs through property redevelopment and the concept for the Aspire Center Workforce Innovation is born.
Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) also joins the partnership, bringing additional design expertise and resources to realize the community’s vision.
2019
Austin releases the AFT plan and starts implementation.
In partnership with ACT and By the Hand Club for Kids, WHA submits a Letter of Inquiry in response to the $10 million Chicago Prize opportunity through the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and is awarded a planning grant to develop a full proposal for submission.
2020
After being named one of six finalists for the Chicago Prize, ACT helps convene AFT and other leaders who collectively create The ASPIRE Initiative. The $121-million-dollar effort initially supported by United Way of Metro Chicago, IFF, Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, Krista Inc., and Purpose Built Communities incorporates several goals and ideas from the community’s AFT plan and outlines how Austin can build a stronger cradle-to-career pipeline through four investments strategically clustered around existing assets in an area bound by Madison St., Chicago Ave., Central Ave., and Laramie Ave.: The Aspire Education & Wellness Campus; Aspire Austin College & Career Academy; The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation; and Aspire Housing.
2021-2022
Community engagement continues with two in-person grassroots events occurring, as well as virtual engagements to garner input from Austin residents, in addition to ongoing AFT leader involvement.
ASPIRE begins to attract investment. Financial and pro-bono services support from private philanthropy, government, and technical assistance partners help generate over $40 million in capital from 2020 to 2023.
2023
Financing closes on the project. The Aspire Center’s groundbreaking event is attended by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Followed by a community celebration that includes free food and a chance for residents to learn about the services that will be available at the Center directly from the groups who will provide them.
2024
Community engagement and participation are still underway as we continue mobilizing the Aspire Center for operations. ACT is excited to expand our services and be part of the vibrant hub that the Center and the intersection of Madison and Central will become!
We’d like to give special thanks to the partners and thought leaders who are making the Aspire Center possible