A recent spike in layoffs across the region has one agency looking to help unemployed workers with more. Johnstown Area Regional Industries, or JARI, is having a special event to help the unemployed survive until their next paycheck.

JARI is best known for their work helping the local defense industry and small businesses, but every year they play a big part in helping the unemployed in the area. And that's the goal of next months event: to help people get back on their feet.

"This is not a job fair," said Debi Balog, workforce development director for JAIR. "This is an informational fair for individuals to find out what services are available to help them get through their unemployment situation."

Balog said the event comes after the recent spike in unemployment in the area, including layoffs from Lockheed Martin and Gamesa, the closing of the NDIC in Johnstown and the more than 250 layoffs in Somerset County by PBS Coals.

"Recently we've had about 400 layoffs," said Balog. "Coming into the fall season and into winter, it gets a little bit more difficult for job seekers to get back into reemployment. That said, we want to make sure they have the resources they need to be able to keep them going until the job market picks up a little more in the beginning of the year."

JARI held this type of fair once before in 2009 when Balog said the economy started to plummet. In that year alone she said JARI helped over 3,000 displaced workers.

"We helped a lot of people and we're hoping that this year it will be just as successful, if not more," said Balog.

But one problem Balog said JARI faces is finding those currently unemployed and convincing them to get help.

"This is a good way to get the information out and say, 'Hey, this is what's happening, keep in touch with us,'" said Balog. "Stay in contact with us and the individuals that can help you until you can get back into re-employment."

JARI is still looking for service agencies to sign up as exhibitors for the fair, which is scheduled for Sept. 27 at the PA Careerlink in Johnstown. It's a free event, there's no pre- registration required and anyone looking for help finding a new job is encouraged to attend.