The purpose of the Atikokan Labour Adjustment Action Centre (ALAAC) is “To work collaboratively with Community Service Providers to provide information and assistance to anyone in the community negatively impacted by the closure of Fibratech or the lay-off’s at Atikokan Forest Products.” This includes the workers, their families and anyone in the community that has been impacted through the “trickle down” effect of job loss.
The Action Centre is funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities through a contract with the Atikokan Economic Development Corp. The Action Centre operates under the direction of a Committee and is staffed by a Coordinator and an Assistant. It offers a wide range of information and printed materials, along with access to the internet for job searches. The Action Centre also serves as a “drop-in” location for individuals to meet with former co-workers or friends, chat over a cup of coffee, or perhaps join in a game of darts or cards.
The Action Centre has recruited “Peer Helpers” who are in place to assist with Community outreach. The Peer Helpers consist of laid off workers from Fibratech and Atikokan Forest Products, who are interested in helping their former co-workers to explore options and to access the resources needed to move forward.
After completing training to help prepare them for their roles, the Peer Helpers began the outreach on April 1st 2008. This process involves contacting co-workers and booking appointments to complete a “Needs Assessment”. The purpose of the Needs assessment is two-fold. The first objective is to assess each clients overall situation, help identify options (which could include finding new employment, re-training, self-employment or retirement) and then to provide access to information and resources. The second objective is to gather statistics that will assist in identifying the needs and priorities of the community as a whole. Once the assessments are complete and the priorities are clear, the Action Centre can then move to access funding to address those needs.
ALAAC Committee Members: Mike Lewis (Chair), Brian Stimson (CEP), Paulette Nelson(CEP), Dennis McCarthy (USW), Jason Kennedy (USW), Lisa Marusyk (Employment Centre), Dennis Brown (Atikokan Township), Bob Gosselin (Atikokan Township), Garry McKinnon (AEDC), Paula Sanders (AEDC), Suzanne Lafrance (MTCU), Becky Groulx (Adult Learning Centre), Yvonne Hutton (Northwest Community Legal Clinic)
Action Centre Peer Helpers: Brian Stimson, Barb Kwasnicia, Diane Dragan, Ray Belanger.
Action Centre Staff: Lisa Belanger (Coordinator), Fay Clark (Assistant Coordinator)
Contributors to the Centre include: The Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities, The Atikokan Economic Development Corp, the Employment Centre, ADADA Nevada, AFP – Athletic Association, Atikokan Hydro, CEP, Community Centre, Community Counselling, Crisis Centre, Employment Centre, Fix-it-Club, Don’s Music Studio, FJS holdings, Voyageur Mall Association, McLeod’s Building Centre, Atikokan Township, Riverview United Church, Union Pub, Voyageur Books & Gifts, Fashion Fabrics, Brian Stimson, Cheryl McDonald, Diane Dragan, Don Barry, Doug Doran, Claude Gosselin, Fay Roblin, Gord Knowles, Heather Niskanen, Jay Leather, Jeremy Larson, Ken Faykes, Kim White, Lisa Lampi, Mark White, Telford Larson, Twila Smitsnuk, John Muzyka, John Barrett (Old Quetico Centre), Carl Botel
Funding for the Centre Provided By:
