Calgary Youth Group suffers break-ins; over 100 laptops stolen
Posted Nov 26, 2022 10:13 am.
Last Updated Nov 26, 2022 10:14 am.
A Calgary youth organization says it is heartbroken after its facility was broken into twice in the last week.
Calgary’s Youth Empowerment and Skills centre says more than 100 donated laptops and several bikes have been stolen after the break-ins.
The organization says the stolen goods were supposed to support children in need.
“It’s unbelievable. You go in and you see somebody came in and basically helped themselves out and took everything,” said Gar Gar, Founder & Executive director, Youth Empowerment and Skills centre.
“I think I can put it as simple as like a punch in the face.”
The Forest Lawn community centre is home to the Youth Empowerment and Skills centre.
Gar says the laptop donation program started over the pandemic, as a means of supporting students in the switch to online school. He says he still has hope that the stolen goods might be returned.
“If I have a message for those that did it, it’s to give them a doubt, that first, they might not have known that this is a youth centre that’s vulnerable. and ask them to do the right thing. Maybe come back and return those,” said the executive director.
Gar says that the thieves cut three locks in entering the premises. Since the laptops, tablets and bicycles were donated, he says that insurance won’t cover their losses. Despite the situation, he doesn’t feel that the crime is representative of Forest Lawn as a whole.
“I think forest lawn is safe. And I think once an incident like this happens does not define the community as a whole. In fact, all the community comes together,” said Gar.
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Calgary police did not respond or comment.
Although devastated, Gar has organized a Go Fund Me that aims to help the youth centre bounce back.
There is a Go Fund Me link with more details for those looking to donate.
