Austins Aspire Center Opens, Bringing Job Training And Legal Services To West Siders

The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation opened Thursday in Austin, transforming the former Emmet Elementary School into a community resource. This $40 million project, supported by over $22 million in city and state funding, aims to provide job training, legal services, and community programs. Darnell Shields, executive director of Austin Coming Together, emphasized the center as a "living testimony" to community unity and resilience, noting that the school’s closure in 2013 was deeply felt in the community. Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized the previous administration's decision to close the school, calling it a violent act against the local Black community. The center features repurposed elements from the school, such as auditorium seating and gymnasium flooring, preserving its historical significance while serving modern needs.

The first and second floors will host offices for various organizations, including Legal Aid Chicago and the Jane Addams Resource Corporation. Leaders expressed hope that the center would mark a new chapter for the neighborhood, promoting equity and justice. With the Aspire Center's opening, local residents now have access to essential resources that can foster community growth and healing.