The harm might go away the non-profit group on the hook for as much as $4,000, relying on insurance coverage protection
![](https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/calgaryherald/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/0814-big-brothers-bis-sisters-1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216)
Article content material
Vandalism has left Calgary non-profit Huge Brothers Huge Sisters unable to see via its entrance doorways and doubtlessly on the hook for hundreds of {dollars} in repairs.
Article content material
The group’s president and CEO, Ken Lima-Coelho, mentioned its Centre Road South constructing has had each of the glass panels on its entrance doorways smashed in two separate incidents this week. The primary occurred final Monday, with safety personnel arriving to seek out the shattered glass door earlier than an occasion deliberate for that morning that despatched children, their mentors and workers to Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park by way of bus.
“That turned somewhat difficult as a result of simply the way in which the window was damaged and the way in which the opening was within the door, it wasn’t too apparent to us if it was just a few type of vandalism or if anyone is likely to be inside,” he mentioned.
“We needed to do some fancy footwork and rebuy all of the snacks so we didn’t must go in till the police cleared the constructing and made positive it was secure.”
Article content material
Then on Saturday, after the primary window had been patched up with plywood, the adjoining door was smashed.
“It’s somewhat irritating, I have to admit, that we’ll most likely must incur some comparatively vital bills,” he mentioned, estimating the fee to be within the vary of $3,000 to $4,000, relying on whether or not the harm is roofed by insurance coverage.
“Our mission is to create mentoring relationships for younger individuals who want them with volunteers … So it makes you are feeling a bit — disheartened is just too robust a phrase — but it surely’s actually upsetting to the staff that this occurred not as soon as however twice.”
![Pictured is the Big Brothers Big Sisters office in Calgary on Sunday, August 14, 2022. The building was vandalized recently.](https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/calgaryherald/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/0814-big-brothers-bis-sisters.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288)
Lima-Coehlo mentioned each incidents have been reported to police, however he doesn’t suppose the acts have been focused in opposition to the group.
“There are weak individuals in our group. We serve a lot of them,” he mentioned. “Generally, it’s a cry for assist for different companies that they want — it’s a sophisticated time in Calgary.”
Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi took to Twitter to induce Calgarians to make a donation to the group “to allow them to get good new doorways and to assist their vital work.”
Article content material
In the end, Lima-Coelho mentioned, whereas the incident is unlucky, it received’t deter them from offering their companies.
“Though we will’t see via our glass proper now, we’re crystal clear on what we’re attempting to do locally and that’s serving to children via mentorship,” he mentioned.
“We’re undaunted. We’ll repair the home windows and we’ll carry on rockin’.”
Twitter: @michaelrdrguez