Thieves broke into the Oregon Tradeswomen training facility on Oct. 27, stealing roughly $20,000 worth of equipment. The break-in came just a week before the start of the nonprofit’s winter pre-apprenticeship class.
Stolen batteries and related accessories alone added up to thousands of dollars in losses, Oregon Tradeswomen spokesperson Trytten Essing said. The thieves broke a window, gathered up batteries, accessories, and cordless power tools like circular saws, drills, and impact driver kits, and fled back out the window.
The organization launched an online wishlist and solicited donations after the break-in. Supporters like industry partners and past program graduates quickly answered the call.
“Our community has overwhelmed us with support in monetary and tool donations so that our 24 pre-apprentices in the Winter cohort could start class this week,” Essing said.
Essing said the organization had received enough tools and donations to offset the losses, but monetary donations are always accepted at www.oregontradeswomen.org.
Oregon Tradeswomen is a nonprofit supporting women in the skilled trades. The Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class, held at a Gresham training facility, is a seven-week pre-apprenticeship program that introduces participants to different construction trades and teaches basic jobsite skills.
