FORT WORTH, Texas — CVS Health is deepening its investment in community-based workforce development with the opening of a new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC) and Community Resource Center (CRC) in Fort Worth. Created in partnership with Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS), the initiative aims to expand access to health care career training and essential resources at no cost to participants.
“Our new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center aims to create pathways to opportunity,” said Sheryl Burke, senior vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and chief sustainability officer at CVS Health. “By working hand-in-hand with Fort Worth Housing Solutions and local workforce organizations, we’re helping community members gain the skills they need for in-demand roles—like pharmacy technicians—and build healthier futures for themselves and their families.”
Building a Health Care Talent Pipeline
The Fort Worth WITC addresses one of the health care industry’s most pressing challenges — a growing shortage of skilled workers. The center offers hands-on training for roles such as pharmacy technician, customer service associate, and call center representative in a simulated retail environment designed to mirror real-world conditions. Graduates are encouraged to apply for positions within CVS Health, creating a direct pathway to employment.
“We are so honored to partner with CVS Health in Stop Six,” said Mary-Margaret Lemons, President of Fort Worth Housing Solutions. “Over half a billion dollars will be invested in housing and community redevelopment in this neighborhood, and a key part of that strategy is ensuring the people of Stop Six, have access to health care, education and economic mobility. Free training opportunities at the WITC will provide new skills for residents to qualify for higher-paying jobs and change the trajectory of their families. FWHS is so excited to continue this community-building work with CVS Health.”
Collaboration Across Community Partners
The WITC’s programming connects participants with resources from Goodwill, Easterseals, and United Way, as well as career advancement pipelines through the College of Healthcare Professions and the University of North Texas.
“This partnership between CVS Health and Fort Worth Housing Solutions is exactly the kind of investment that strengthens our city’s foundation,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “By equipping residents with skills for high-demand health care jobs and connecting this community with vital resources, the new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center is building a healthier, more prosperous Fort Worth for generations to come.”
Expanding Access Through Aetna’s Community Resource Center
Supported by Aetna, a CVS Health company, the Community Resource Center provides public access to health education, benefit navigation assistance, computer resources, and space for community events. Health screenings are planned to be added later in 2025.
“As a company focused on health solutions, we recognize the connection between stable employment and health and wellness,” said Stephanie Rogers, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Texas. “By co-locating the WITC and CRC in Fort Worth, we’re bringing together essential resources to help individuals achieve professional success and lead healthier lives.”
Continuing Investment in Texas Communities
Working with the Fort Worth Housing Authority builds on CVS Health and Aetna’s long history of community support in Texas. To date, CVS Health has invested over $232 million in affordable housing across Texas, helping to create, preserve, and renovate nearly 14,000 housing units.
Additionally, in partnership with Fort Worth Housing Solutions, the company invested in developing Babers Manor, a new 80-unit mixed-income housing development in Fort Worth’s Stop Six Neighborhood that will provide community members with career training opportunities through CVS Health’s Fort Worth WITC.
Additionally, throughout this year, CVS Health has awarded over $700,000 to local organizations, including Easterseals Lonestar, The Rose, and the Family Service Association of San Antonio. The company also offers free health screenings to individuals nationwide through its Project Health initiative. Last year, CVS Health hosted 279 Project Health events, which attracted over 16,000 participants and resulted in more than 65,000 screenings in Texas.
