Oakland nonprofit SoleSpace turns to community after key equipment stolen during break-in

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Cleanup is underway at a nonprofit in downtown Oakland after a break-in earlier this week.

"Back here it's still a mess, so we'll be cleaning this up in the next couple of days," said Jeff Perlstein, codirector of SoleSpace Lab.

The space was broken into Monday, and thousands of dollars' worth of equipment and materials crucial to its community upcycling workshops were stolen. Items taken included sewing machines, a 3D printer and a laser cutter.

"They took about eight of our ten functioning sewing machines," Perlstein said.

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"Our sewing classes are dependent on those machines. We're offering an intro to sneaker-repair class this weekend that we'll be able to do because it's mostly by hand, but beyond this weekend we won't be able to run the regular classes."

The nonprofit is now turning to the community to replace the stolen equipment and has raised more than $4,000 so far.

"SoleSpace has done a lot of good work with the kids, teaching them how to redo shoes and personalize them. It's a good way to keep them out of trouble and do something positive," said Preston Pinkney, who runs the business next door.

"I've been a victim myself and had multiple things stolen. I've had my business broken into three times," Pinkney said. "We're trying to do community work and engage the youth and do something positive, so it's discouraging when people take what we have."

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The nonprofit is aiming to raise roughly another $1,000 to help upgrade its security system.

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