Job Gym opens three temporary locations across Fort Erie

Job Gym has shifted Fort Erie employment services to three temporary community sites this month as it searches for a permanent location after closing its long-running Central Avenue office on March 31.

The service is operated by the John Howard Society of Niagara and helps people who are unemployed, underemployed or seeking a career change by connecting employers with job seekers. The organization said it is relocating to improve transportation access, such as Garrison Road.

Job Gym staff will be at the the following locations at the specified times:

• Fort Erie Public Library, 136 Gilmore Road | Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saint Michael Church, 310 Central Avenue | Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Ontario Works, 1264 Garrison Road | Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Interim executive director Deanna Villella told Fort Erie Radio last month the agency wanted to avoid any break in local service during the move.

“We don’t want people to have to worry that they’re losing out on a service in their community or that services are going to change for them in a negative way,” Villella said.

The former Central Avenue office had operated for more than 20 years. Job Gym gave notice to its landlord and had to vacate before a replacement site was secured.

Ontario Works had already left the Central Avenue building for Garrison Road, reducing the usefulness of the old location.

Villella said the long-term model could also include several smaller service points across greater Fort Erie.

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

Updates on a permanent Fort Erie location will be posted through Job Gym’s website and social media as the search continues.

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