Thieves steal $7k in items from Essex respite program

An Essex safe haven for some of the community’s most vulnerable individuals is in shock after a break-in early Friday morning.

Thieves stole an estimated $7,000 worth of items from the LIFE Day Respite on Fairview Avenue West.

Footage captured by security cameras shows multiple individuals rummaging through cabinets and moving items in and out of the building.

Heart-wrenched to watch thieves steal their equipment, Lea-Anne Shepley, a Program Director and co-owner, told CTV News the events were unsettling.

“I feel so violated,” Shepley said on Sunday afternoon.

“I’m kind of on edge, and I really hope that feeling goes away.”

Items range from a remote-control car to gaming systems, to food, to money.

Over the coming days, they expect to realize more items which have been stolen.

Sherri Currie, a program coordinator and co-owner, arrived Friday morning, groceries in hand, and immediately noticed something was wrong.

“When I pulled in, I noticed that there was a black and yellow stick having the door propped open, and I noticed the mailbox was crooked,” Currie said.

Currie noticed some of their tablets thrown in the grass and walked inside to realize someone had broken in.

They said it has been reported to OPP, and they’re hoping to receive a call back in the coming days.

For Currie, the one question continuously flowing through her thoughts is why?

“Like, why would you do that to an organization like this? Like, these people are already vulnerable, right? Like their lives are already hurt. So why do you have to do that to these people?” she questioned.

Four days a week, from 9 am to 4 pm, LIFE Day Respite is a home away from home for 18 members aged 19 to 38.

The co-owners noted their members often have “invisible disabilities,” with some being intellectually delayed.

From daily jobs to crafts, cooking, bowling and dance programs, the goal is to allow for both interaction and smiles.

“We try to push them as much as we can to their point to make them more stimulating on their days, and just to make them feel fulfilled in the days,” Shepley explained.

Counselling support for members will be set up to ease them through the difficult situation.

Despite losing some of their vital equipment, both Shepley and Currie are confident they can provide the same level of programming to members.

“It’s going to be rough for a couple of weeks until we can get it all replaced, but we’ll get it replaced,” Shepley said.

Since news of the break-in has spread on social media, the respite program has seen a wave of community support.

A friend of the program recently started a GoFundMe to help pay for the stolen equipment. As of Sunday afternoon, it had nearly reached $4,000.

“Never thought, you know, we’d be in a position, like this, but, I mean, our community is amazing,” Shepley added.

For now, both Currie and Shepley are focused on continuing to provide a safe space for those who need it most.