Support Pours For East Bay Nonprofit That Lost 'Thousands' After Break-In

OAKLAND, CA — Community members are rallying for an East Bay nonprofit that says it lost thousands of dollars' worth of gear after a break-in.

Oakland Style Lab, a nonprofit that serves as a community hub and offers fashion education programs, says suspects stole up to eight desktop sewing machines, a laser cutter, two laptops, a 3D printer and an airbrush kit.

Those materials, the organization says, are "crucial to our community upcycling workshops."

"It's heartbreaking because we’ve been doing really good work at Oakland Style Lab / SoleSpace Lab, "Jeff Perlstein, a co-director at the nonprofit. "We’ve trained and inspired hundreds of local youth since 2021 - from McClymonds and Berkeley High, to Oakland Tech, Fremont, and beyond - strengthening their creativity, maker/mending skills, sustainable practices, and career opportunities."

Following the break-in, Perlstein created a GoFundMe to help replace the stolen equipment and install a new security gate, along with two cameras.

The community quickly rallied for Oakland Style Lab. As of Monday, the GoFundMe has surpassed its $6,900 goal, raising more than $9,000.

"You’ve lifted our spirits and ensured we can replace our stolen gear," Perlstein said Friday. "With this momentum we’re gonna go bigger and get better, reaching more community members with our kickass workshops and event offerings."

The organization is also now planning a re-opening party in late May to celebrate the community.

"THANK YOU for ALL of your support," Perlstein said. "Together, in community, we can do great things!"