Saskatoon youth-led arts group moving forward after break-in [Video]

Executive director Andrea Cessna says she showed up at Chokecherry Studios last week to find the door unlocked. Upstairs, a door was kicked in and more than $10,000 in equipment was stolen.

Cessna says the timing of the break-in was difficult for the organization, which provides arts and social programming for youth from 11 to 29-years-old.

“Like a lot of nonprofit organizations. We’re waiting for funding results. It’s the beginning of the new fiscal year. And so a lot of that funding hasn’t arrived yet, or those results haven’t been announced,” she said.

The organization released a letter on Friday calling for help from the community, and Cessna says the response has been positive, but the situation really underscores challenges faced by organizations across the country.

There are so many youths with complex needs who are left behind by the social system, and organizations trying to help often struggle to …