Job Gym sets up shop at two Fort Erie library branches this fall

Job Gym employment counsellors will hold weekly hours at the Crystal Ridge library branch in Ridgeway and the Centennial library on Gilmore Road starting August 31.

The sessions come five months after the John Howard Society of Niagara had to vacate Job Gym’s Central Avenue office of more than 20 years before finding a new permanent site.

Counsellors will be at the Crystal Ridge Branch from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting August 31. They will be at the Centennial Branch from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, starting September 1.

The John Howard Society gave notice to its landlord at 469 Central Ave. and had to be out by March 31.

Interim executive director Deanna Villella told Fort Erie Radio in March the move came faster than expected, and the John Howard Society wanted to avoid any break in local service while it looked for a new office.

Ontario Works, which had shared the building, had already moved to Garrison Road, so Job Gym decided it was time to leave, too.

Job Gym’s search for a permanent home in Fort Erie is ongoing, and a Ridgeway or Crystal Beach location is also being considered.

“I hope the advantage would be that we can reach more people because we’re closer to their communities,” said Villella.

Job Gym also holds hours on Wednesday mornings at St. Michael’s Hall on Central Avenue, through Fort Cares and Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

On Thursdays, counsellors are at the Ontario Works office on Garrison Road from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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