D'Arcy Harper experienced the whole gamut of emotions when he was laid off by National Steel Car in April: fear, worry, frustration.

He was a bit exasperated when he was referred to "yet another government" job-search program.

But Harper, 37, wasn't satisfied with the help he was getting from the union hall and had a four-year-old son to support. He ended up in the new Career Links program at the John Howard Society.

Vanessa Pazzi, program co-ordinator, said the John Howard Society has traditionally helped people who have been in conflict with the law but started branching out a couple of years ago to offer a broader array of services to the general public.

Career Links, funded by Employment Ontario, customizes supports to workers who have experienced a layoff, downsizing or restructuring in manufacturing, tourism, forestry or agriculture.

The program got its official launch this month but started in March and has helped 40 clients so far -- 10 are already working.

The goal for the first year is to reach 200 displaced workers.

It was created after it was found there were gaps in services provided to Hamilton workers affected by the downturn in manufacturing.

Pazzi said the whole aim of the program is "rapid return" to work.

That can mean everything from a service to pay for workboots, exam or college application fees to retraining or personal counselling programs.

"It's a lot of bits and pieces that (clients) find really can help," said Pazzi.

For example, many workers who may have received forklift training at work do not have the formal licence required to get a new job.

Harper slides a picture of a forklift on an orange sticker -- his forklift permit -- from National Steel Car across the desk.

"Look at that," he laughs.

Then he pulls out the new forklift licence he got through a testing service provided through the John Howard Society -- a crisp, white, official looking card.

He also now carries a case with copies of his resume, and cover letters, and he pops in each week to check e-mails, job listings and update his online resume.

Not bad for a guy who doesn't own a computer, had only the vaguest idea of what Facebook was and hadn't typed a letter in about 18 years.

He doesn't have a job yet, but he's optimistic.

Pazzi said the programs are structured to help clients as much as they want or need help.

"We really want to empower people to find their own jobs."

Contact the John Howard Society at 905-522-4446, ext. 500.

lmarr@thespec.com

905-526-3992