RELEASE: Port Cares Applauds All Levels Of Government & Honda Canada

Port Cares applauds all levels of government and Honda Canada

(May 14, 2024 - PORT COLBORNE) For Christine Clark Lafleur, CEO of Port Cares it’s been a decade of finding impactful and sustainable ways of reducing poverty and the conditions of poverty afflicting low income households throughout south Niagara.

“For more than 40 years, south Niagara and in particular Port Colborne has struggled to recover from the decline of the industrial and manufacturing sector in the local community. Today’s announcement is exactly what is needed to improve lives in south Niagara, “ says Clark Lafleur who leads Port Cares a community and social service hub. Founded in 1986, Port Cares began as a community-driven response to address the effects of massive local job losses in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

“Port Cares joins in celebration all levels of government and leadership responsible for this incredible announcement. We welcome Honda Canada and thank them for investing in our proud community,” Clark Lafleur went on to say.

Port Cares was created as a response to poverty - not the solution. The solution comes in announcements and actions like those of today with Honda Canada’s EV battery manufacturing supply centre. The ripple effect will be massive and the jobs and additional investments that it brings will transform conditions across the south Niagara for decades to come reflects Clark Lafleur.

The work of Port Cares has continued to grow over the past four decades reflecting the needs of the community. Employment training and poverty relief services were and continue to be key pillars of service since the agency’s founding.

“More people than ever before use our services. We’re very hopeful that today’s announcement changes the tide and Port Colborne and its residents flourish for generations to come” says Clark Lafleur.

Since 1986, Port Cares has offered a multitude of services for people, young and old, not only in Port Colborne, but also across Niagara including Lincoln, West Lincoln, Welland, Pelham and Fort Erie. They offer employment training, housing, a foodbank, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, a meal program, utility assistance, counselling and crisis services- as well as seasonal programs like Give a Gift and more. Their services are wide-ranging - the need is undeniable.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT PORT CARES EMPLOYMENT DIVISION -PCWorks

‍• PCWorks – the employment division of Port Cares is Port Colborne’s employment agency.

• PCWorks is an Employment Ontario service provider funded by the Province of Ontario.2

• PCWorks helps employers recruit and employ qualified candidates.

• PCWorks helps job seekers find jobs.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT PORT CARES CHARITY WORK AND REACH OUT CENTRE:

‍• Port Cares Reach Out Centre Food bank (ROFC) assists 3,000 individuals. A third of the people reliant on the ROFC Food Bank are children.

• The most needed food item donations for the food bank include canned meat, canned fruit, canned vegetables, pasta & sauce, peanut butter, cereal, jam, baby food, formula and diapers, personal hygiene items.

• Last school year the Port Cares Reach Out Food Centre located at 61 Nickel Street, Port Colborne, provided 2,020 lunch kits and more than 12,000 lunches to local school-age elementary and secondary school children who live in low-income households.

• Hot, nutritious community meals are served three times a week to families and individuals in need with more than 120 adults and children typically attend each meal.

Port Cares’ mission is to help those in our community with social and economic needs improve their quality of life. Port Cares’ vision is to provide help, hope and opportunity for all to achieve their potential.

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