ASPIRE CENTER FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION RIBBON CUTTING

October 20, 2025

The Austin community has welcomed a transformative new addition: the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, which officially opened in June 2025. Located at 5500 W. Madison Street, the state-of-the-art facility now stands as a symbol of revitalization and opportunity in the heart of Chicago’s West Side.

The Aspire Center occupies the former Emmet Elementary School site, a three-acre property that had remained dormant since the school was closed in 2013 as part of a citywide initiative that shuttered 50 schools. Twelve years later, the site has been reimagined with a bold new mission – serving as a hub for workforce development, innovation, and community empowerment.
Significant modifications have transformed the facade. A striking glass atrium was added to what is now the entrance of the building, and a new patio was added to the north side. However, some aspects of the original building remain, including the terrazzo stairs, the oak trim, hardwood floors and exposed brick, have been carefully preserved, blending the past with the forward-looking vision.

This project was brought to life through the vision and leadership of Darnell Shields, Executive Director of Austin Coming Together, and Morris Reed, Chief Executive Officer of Westside Health Authority. Recognizing the need for a centralized hub to advance the goals outlined in the Austin Quality-of-Life Plan, Shields and Reed envisioned a space dedicated to education, economic empowerment, and opportunity. Their aim was to create a foundation where residents could access a robust network of support focused on wellness, housing stability, and educational advancement.

The Aspire Center will serve as the new headquarters for both Austin Coming Together and the Westside Health Authority. They will be joined by key partners including the Jane Addams Resource Corporation, BMO U.S., the Freedom Defense Center of Austin, and Legal Aid Chicago – each collaborating to provide comprehensive services and resources to the community.
“The Aspire Center is a long-term investment in the people of Austin realizing their vision to build wealth and thrive as stated in the community’s quality of life plan,” states Shields.

CCLF provided a $3,333,333 loan to help bridge a state grant and leverage New Markets Tax Credits. Others who financed this project included IFF, Enterprise Community Loan Fund, JP Morgan Chase, BMO Harris, Cinnaire, Chicago Development Fund, Enterprise , United Way, and others.

“CCLF’s connection with the Aspire project began with technical assistance in 2018, so we have been excited to see the project unfold,” explained Wendell Harris, CCLF’s Executive Vice President of Lending Operations. “CCLF has an ongoing relationship with both the West Side Health Authority and Austin Coming Together. We hope to see that relationship deepen because both organizations bring enormous impact. Most importantly, they have true partnerships with the people in the community.”

This is the first phase of four projects to be completed as part of the Aspire initiative.

View the video of the festivities HERE