Lavell and Peter Kruusi are co-ordinating a meeting tomorrow at the Best Western Rose City Suites called "Alternative Outsourcing Solutions."

The free information session begins at noon at the Prince Charles Drive hotel and is aimed to help workers hard hit by the closure of John Deere Welland Works and the layoff at Henniges, as well as the possible job transfers at Canadian Tire Financial Services and the closure of Dana Canada in nearby Thorold.

Lavell was busy hitting the street all week to raise awareness of the meeting, knowing it's being held on short notice.

"We want to get out as many people as possible," said Lavell, who lives in Hamilton but grew up in Welland and has relatives who work at John Deere.

He said the meeting will take a unique approach, sharing possible opportunities for the affected workers such as new careers and entrepreneurial pathways, as well as ways to soften the immediate blow such as the way personal income taxes are filed.

"You can control your own fate," said Lavell. "We're going to outline strategies. It's kind of dynamic and I think it will help people immediately."

Welland politicians, including candidates running in the federal election, have also been invited, said Lavell. He said he hopes they come out and show support for the victims of the manufacturing crisis.

"It's a big problem in North America," said Lavell. "It's really hit Welland hard."

He added the meeting is taking a unique approach because the grim reality is there is not large glut of jobs waiting for the workers facing layoffs, a problem that's "not getting any better," as an "economic tsunami" takes place south of the border. For more information call Kruusi at 905-228-0746.