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newsdurhamregion.com | 'Faith restored' at Durham Deaf Services as community responds to break-in
An outpouring of community support for Durham Deaf Services "certainly restores our faith in humanity."
Lisa Westlake, the organization's resource development officer, made the comment after several groups and individuals came forward with donations after a break-in at the DDS office in Oshawa.
Someone broke in over the Halloween weekend, stealing a laptop computer and causing about $3,000 in damage at the Oshawa office, located on King Street near Harmony Road.
Compounding the matter is the recession which has hurt the centre's fundraising efforts.
"Although we still have a long way to go fundraising-wise, our spirits are certainly lifted after such an outpouring of generosity from the community," Ms. Westlake said. "When the break-in first happened, it really put a damper on everyone. Staff and students were feeling saddened and wondering 'how could someone do this to us?' But over the past week, we have heard from a number of people, businesses and organizations offering help."
Donations include $1,000 from the Ontario Electrical League, Durham Chapter, and $500 and a tin of Tim Hortons coffee from Honest Movers.
An e-mail from DDS executive director Yvonne Brown noted the man from Honest Movers "saw the article in the newspaper and it just broke his heart. He wanted us to know that not all people out there are bad."
ADT Security Systems donated a security system worth almost $1,600, and it includes strobe lighting so deaf clients can tell when the alarm is sounded.
The Computer Mechanics and Mills Pontiac Buick GMC, both in Oshawa, and two residents have donated laptop computers, which will be used in the DDS literacy program. Millwork Home Centre is donating a new door to replace the one damaged in the break-in. A resident is offering his time and carpentry skills, while Upper Beach Printing will print brochures for the organization. Another $500 donation from Ontario Power Generation is going to the centre's Christmas Family Communication Program fundraising event.
"We're so appreciative to have people coming forward to help out," said Ms. Westlake. "It has been tough for us because we were already in a shortage situation in relation to funding and then to spend so much time trying to replace missing items and fix things like doors, windows and locks. It was very trying on our office. But, it certainly restores our faith in humanity to see so many individuals and businesses reaching out to us right now."
In an interview about the break-in, Ms. Brown said, "There's a great big sign in front of the building that says this is the Durham Deaf Centre. It's heartless. Not only are you stealing from here, but the services that help those who are disadvantaged already."
The agency has insurance, but the deductible is $2,500, so it wouldn't be worth it to go through insurance, Ms. Brown said.
"It means we're out of pocket. This isn't something you budget for."
With the recession and the slump in manufacturing, fewer people are working and aren't able to donate to charities, Ms. Westlake said at the time of the break-in.
"They may need services as well. The windows, the laptop and the already diminished funding. It's disappointing. Not only are we a charity, we're serving the disabled," Ms. Westlake noted.
DDS has between 500 and 800 clients.
"It's not just the deaf or hearing impaired, it's hearing people as well. And there are those who come in looking for help," said Ms. Brown.
An outpouring of community support for Durham Deaf Services "certainly restores our faith in humanity."
Lisa Westlake, the organization's resource development officer, made the comment after several groups and individuals came forward with donations after a break-in at the DDS office in Oshawa.
Someone broke in over the Halloween weekend, stealing a laptop computer and causing about $3,000 in damage at the Oshawa office, located on King Street near Harmony Road.
Compounding the matter is the recession which has hurt the centre's fundraising efforts.
"Although we still have a long way to go fundraising-wise, our spirits are certainly lifted after such an outpouring of generosity from the community," Ms. Westlake said. "When the break-in first happened, it really put a damper on everyone. Staff and students were feeling saddened and wondering 'how could someone do this to us?' But over the past week, we have heard from a number of people, businesses and organizations offering help."
Donations include $1,000 from the Ontario Electrical League, Durham Chapter, and $500 and a tin of Tim Hortons coffee from Honest Movers.
An e-mail from DDS executive director Yvonne Brown noted the man from Honest Movers "saw the article in the newspaper and it just broke his heart. He wanted us to know that not all people out there are bad."
ADT Security Systems donated a security system worth almost $1,600, and it includes strobe lighting so deaf clients can tell when the alarm is sounded.
The Computer Mechanics and Mills Pontiac Buick GMC, both in Oshawa, and two residents have donated laptop computers, which will be used in the DDS literacy program. Millwork Home Centre is donating a new door to replace the one damaged in the break-in. A resident is offering his time and carpentry skills, while Upper Beach Printing will print brochures for the organization. Another $500 donation from Ontario Power Generation is going to the centre's Christmas Family Communication Program fundraising event.
"We're so appreciative to have people coming forward to help out," said Ms. Westlake. "It has been tough for us because we were already in a shortage situation in relation to funding and then to spend so much time trying to replace missing items and fix things like doors, windows and locks. It was very trying on our office. But, it certainly restores our faith in humanity to see so many individuals and businesses reaching out to us right now."
In an interview about the break-in, Ms. Brown said, "There's a great big sign in front of the building that says this is the Durham Deaf Centre. It's heartless. Not only are you stealing from here, but the services that help those who are disadvantaged already."
The agency has insurance, but the deductible is $2,500, so it wouldn't be worth it to go through insurance, Ms. Brown said.
"It means we're out of pocket. This isn't something you budget for."
With the recession and the slump in manufacturing, fewer people are working and aren't able to donate to charities, Ms. Westlake said at the time of the break-in.
"They may need services as well. The windows, the laptop and the already diminished funding. It's disappointing. Not only are we a charity, we're serving the disabled," Ms. Westlake noted.
DDS has between 500 and 800 clients.
"It's not just the deaf or hearing impaired, it's hearing people as well. And there are those who come in looking for help," said Ms. Brown.