Learn about Pottstown Works while getting fit
Join this week’s Mercury Mile walk to learn about the jobs program Pottstown Works
Join a community walk Wednesday with The Mercury Mile and learn how Pottstown is taking steps toward getting more people employed.
Put on your walking shoes then join the afternoon stroll which will begin noon Wednesday from The Salvation Army of Pottstown. The building is located at 137 King St., near the Hanover Street intersection. Everyone’s invited to the community walk on Wednesday so make sure to bring along friends, family and even pets. Nancy March will be hosting this week’s Mercury Mile activity. March is the former editor of The Mercury and now the program director for Pottstown Works.
“Pottstown Works is a program operating out of The Salvation Army of Pottstown that helps people find and keep jobs. They teach a Job Readiness Workshop, then work with local employers to place people in sustainable jobs. The program is unique in following workers for one year to identify and resolve barriers to work,” she said.
The jobs program is mirrored after a successful program in Cincinnati, Ohio named Cincinnati Works. Both programs go beyond just finding someone a job but consider that life circumstances such as child care and health care can impact someone’s ability to keep a job. After people in the program find employment, they still receive additional coaching and support.
“After a successful first class in May, the program is accepting applications for the next class to run Aug. 21 – 25. Anyone who is unemployed or under-employed can apply in person at The Salvation Army of Pottstown … Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by calling 610-326-1621, ext. 316,” March said.
The program is free for both employers and jobseekers since it’s funded through a grant from The Salvation Army as well as grant awards from the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation and The Hill School Student Philanthropy Council. To learn more about Pottstown Works, come out to The Mercury Mile this week. To refer someone for class or as an employer partner, email nancy.march@use.salvationarmy.org. For more information about the local Salvation Army, visit www.SalvationArmyPottstown.org.
If there is inclement weather on Wednesday afternoon then the walk be cancelled and resume next week. The Mercury Mile is a free, weekly community activity that happens every Wednesday at noon. The location of the walk changes from week to week. Area organizations and individuals are encouraged to host a Mercury Mile walk to get employees involved and use the activity as an opportunity to inform the community about their company or upcoming events. Organizations that host the healthy activity will be featured in the newspaper through photographs and online for the “Businesses in Motion” section.