For immediate release
Ottawa, ON: Thanks to the efforts of dedicated volunteers, Kind remained open this past holiday season, to offer compassion and companionship for members of Ottawa’s queer community who may face isolation in other areas of their lives. Public support was high for the first year of this holiday drop-in, and Kind intends to carry on this new tradition in years to come.
These extended hours were unfortunately not without cost. At an unknown time during the holidays, Kind’s cash deposit box was taken, along with over $700 contained within. As the case would be too open ended, due to the amount of people who access the centre, the Ottawa Police Service has refused to file a report for this theft. Kind instead would like to appeal to those responsible to return what was stolen. The deposit box, along with the missing funds, can be returned to Kind at 331 Cooper St. with no questions asked.
Any information concerning the whereabouts of the deposit box can be delivered anonymously to Kind staff at (613) 563-4818. Please bear in mind that we are not interested in accusations or hearsay.
The communities that Kind serves and represents are disproportionately affected by poverty, and Kind acknowledges that these situations can happen as a matter of necessity. As such, we urge the public not to pass judgement on the person or persons responsible, but instead consider how important it is to support ongoing services and spaces for LGBTTQIA communities.
Kind is Canada’s oldest registered charity run by and for the LGBTTQIA community, but that history does not come with an overabundance of funds. While Kind recognizes that the money taken may be of great importance to those who took it, it also helps keep our lights on and our doors open. If concerned members of the public don’t have information leading to the return of these funds, we urge them to otherwise become monthly donors, so that Kind may confidently continue to serve and support Ottawa’s LGBTTQIA population.