DuBois Library is now Gary Housing Authority's EnVision Center
GHA wants EnVision Center to help make an impact on Broadway
Contributed By:The 411 News
Converts former DuBois Library into a business meeting center offering programs and services
In June 2019 the Gary Public Library’s Board of Trustees asked for public input on the future of their unused DuBois Library Branch. The consensus was to make it a community center – a place like the library – that welcomed all residents. DuBois, at 1835 Broadway, closed in early 2018 and the library was looking for a buyer.
Wednesday’s job fair at DuBois answers that question. It is now the EnVision Center, owned by the Gary Housing Authority. Julian Marsh, GHA Executive Director said the center is their solution to honor that wish.
“That’s the beauty of our EnVision Center,” said Jose Ibarra, GHA’s Director of Resident Services. “We are one of the few centers providing programs and services to all residents in our area. Fifty-three centers are spread across the nation’s housing authorities with the majority of them only serving public housing tenants and Section 8 users.”
Ibarra said the EnVision Center’s new home at DuBois will better accommodate workshops and seminars than GHA headquarters at 578 Broadway. Sessions on Social Security, Medicare, and the IRS are regularly held there. The DuBois Branch was headquarters for Gary Public Library’s administrative offices when the Main Library underwent a 2-year renovation.
“If we get the funding, we want to create different breakout rooms for workshops and office space for our partners. Hopefully our partners who want a prominent spot in Gary will agree to lease space here,” Ibarra said.
Marsh said the Gary Branch of the NAACP chose the EnVision Center for its home.
Two job fairs are coming in October – for manufacturing on Oct. 21 and for workers with disabilities on Oct. 28. Adult education courses that include GED certificates are also available at the EnVision Center.
Becky Fry, WorkOne Business Service Manager called the turnout fantastic. “This is our first opportunity to have an in-person job fair since COVID-19 hit. We recently held a drive-thru job fair in a parking lot.” Wednesday’s job fair had been scheduled for March.
Marsh said Gary’s Broadway corridor will see more impacts from the housing authority. GHA will soon demolish all buildings on the west side of Broadway’s 600 block. In the 700 block, construction will start on Broadway Lofts, a 38-unit housing complex.
Becky Fry and WorkOne Re-Entry Specialist Richard Nash
GHA’s Julian Marsh and Jose Ibarra
Story Posted:10/03/2020
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