Please help us rebuild. Our nonprofit maker space was broken into this week and robbed of thousands of dollars worth of gear and materials that are crucial to our community upcycling workshops.
It's heartbreaking because we’ve been doing really good work at Oakland Style Lab / SoleSpace Lab. We’ve trained and inspired hundreds of local youth since 2021 - from McClymonds and Berkeley High, to Oakland Tech, Fremont, and beyond - strengthening their creativity, maker/mending skills, sustainable practices, and career opportunities.
But this is a serious setback and I’m honestly feeling burnt.
Fortunately, my amazing Co-Director Olivia Cueva reminded me we can’t give up on all the young people, makers, and families that count on us. And she's 100% right...
The world needs more of what we bring, not less. We’re not going to let this break-in disrupt what we’re creating with our communities.
We want to keep inspiring kids and adults, and not add another vacant storefront to downtown Oakland. We want to go bigger and bolder: reach more people, spark more joy, and keep scaling up the local creative ecosystem.
Will you help us get back on our feet and keep building?
The projected cost is $7.8k to:
- replace 8 desktop sewing machines
- replace our laser cutter, 3D printer, 2 laptops & airbrush kit
- install a new security gate & 2 cameras
Please give what you can - $25, $50, $100 or more - and share with your people.
Now more than ever, The Town needs what we bring: community, creativity, career pathways, deep partnerships - and joy!
Help us stay in Oakland and re/build. Thank you for your support. It means so, so much to us.
~ Jeff Perlstein, on behalf of Oakland Style Lab & SoleSpace Lab ~
p.s. No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe fundraiser. Thanks.