CVS Health Launches Workforce Innovation and Talent Center in Chicago to Strengthen Community Employment and Training Opportunities
In a significant step toward fostering economic opportunity and addressing workforce gaps, CVS Health has officially launched its newest Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC) in Chicago. Located at the historic Chicago Baptist Institute, the center is a cornerstone of CVS Health’s broader effort to empower underserved communities through access to career pathways, skill-building, and sustainable employment. The initiative reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to dismantling barriers to employment while nurturing a diverse and skilled workforce.
The opening of the Chicago WITC represents more than just a new facility—it’s a launchpad for life-changing transformations for community members seeking a new start. The center is designed to offer specialized training for in-demand roles such as pharmacy technicians, customer service associates, call center staff, and retail associates. But beyond job preparation, the center embodies a broader vision: to cultivate confidence, career readiness, and community resilience.
A Mission Rooted in Human Impact
At the heart of the WITC are personal stories like that of Catrina Malone, whose journey from adversity to a professional career underscores the program’s life-altering potential.
“Growing up in an unstable home environment, I faced many barriers,” said Malone, now a pharmacy technician at CVS Health. “My mother struggled with substance abuse, and there were times when I didn’t know where my next meal would come from. With the support of my legal guardian, I stayed determined to forge my own path and build a career despite the odds being against me.”
Malone’s story began at an informational session—one that altered the trajectory of her life. Now working in a role that not only provides financial stability but also a sense of purpose, she credits the support network and training at CVS Health for giving her a chance to build a meaningful career.
“This new role as a pharmacy technician for CVS Pharmacy has given me just that. Through this center and the kindness of everyone here, I’ve felt truly encouraged and supported — and for that, I am extremely thankful,” she added.
Real-World Training, Real-World Results
A central feature of the WITC is its simulated retail store, a hands-on learning environment that immerses participants in real-life scenarios they might encounter in a CVS Pharmacy setting. This innovative approach bridges the gap between theory and practice, equipping individuals with the confidence and competence to succeed on the job from day one.
Participants who complete the WITC program will receive not only technical training but also job-readiness coaching and access to employment opportunities at CVS Health. The goal is clear: every graduate of the program will have the opportunity to apply for a job with the company, thereby turning education into employment.
“Our new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center in Chicago is designed to help individuals build skills for in-demand jobs, like pharmacy technicians,” said Sheryl Burke, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer at CVS Health. “By working alongside the Chicago Baptist Institute, we’re making it easier for community members to access meaningful employment and lifelong career growth.”
Community-Centered Collaboration
The selection of the Chicago Baptist Institute as the site for the WITC is both strategic and symbolic. For decades, the Institute has played a vital role in advancing educational and spiritual development in the South Side of Chicago. By partnering with CVS Health, the institution is now expanding its influence into workforce development—a natural extension of its service-oriented legacy.
“The Chicago Baptist Institute is very proud to be a part of the opening of the WITC, which will serve as an important pathway for potential candidates seeking job opportunities,” said Walter P. Turner, President of the Chicago Baptist Institute. “This collaboration with CVS Health will create a sustainable model for workforce development that benefits both participants and the broader community we support.”
The WITC is part of a long-term commitment by CVS Health to Chicago, a city where the company has already demonstrated a deep investment in health, housing, and economic development. In fact, this initiative adds to a growing portfolio of community-focused programming that CVS Health and its affiliated companies have undertaken in the region.
A Broader Vision for Workforce Equity
The launch of the WITC in Chicago follows a proven model that CVS Health has implemented across other U.S. cities. In 2023 alone, the company partnered with local organizations, as well as federal, state, and local agencies, to create job opportunities for over 1,500 individuals nationwide. These workforce initiatives are designed to be inclusive, focusing on populations that often face systemic challenges in securing employment—such as young adults, formerly incarcerated individuals, veterans, and members of underserved racial or ethnic communities.
By scaling up these programs, CVS Health hopes to address one of the most pressing issues facing the healthcare and retail sectors today: the shortage of skilled workers. The company’s approach not only fills critical vacancies but also helps close the opportunity gap for thousands of Americans.
Anchoring Community Well-being Beyond Jobs
While job training is a major pillar of CVS Health’s community impact strategy, the company is equally invested in holistic well-being, including affordable housing, health access, and behavioral health.
Earlier this year, CVS Health and its affiliate Aetna® announced $750,000 in community grants to organizations expanding maternal health and behavioral health services in Chicago. The grants are intended to support frontline initiatives helping families and individuals build a healthier future through preventative care and mental health resources.
Additionally, through its Project Health initiative, CVS Health continues to bring free health screenings to communities across the country. In 2023, the company hosted 33 events in Chicago alone, serving 1,307 individuals and delivering more than 4,500 health screenings. This preventative care model is designed to reduce long-term healthcare costs while improving early detection of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
Long-Term Investment in Housing Stability
CVS Health’s efforts to foster community resilience also extend to affordable housing, a social determinant of health that has become a growing focus of corporate responsibility programs. To date, the company has invested over $65 million in affordable housing across Illinois, helping to create or preserve nearly 3,600 units, with over 1,200 located in Chicago.
These investments have a cascading effect: stable housing enables individuals to maintain employment, care for their families, and access regular healthcare—key components of long-term wellness and financial security.
A Catalyst for Hope and Growth
The opening of the Workforce Innovation and Talent Center in Chicago is more than a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It’s a signal of CVS Health’s commitment to economic mobility, health equity, and community empowerment. Through hands-on training, strategic partnerships, and investments in wraparound services, the company is helping thousands of people move from surviving to thriving.
For people like Catrina Malone, and for the countless others who will walk through the WITC’s doors in the months and years ahead, the center offers something invaluable: hope, support, and a real shot at a better future.
As CVS Health continues to expand its workforce development efforts across the country, the Chicago center stands as a beacon of what’s possible when private companies invest in public good—with measurable results for individuals, families, and communities alike.
