Brown Girls Climbing, an Oakland-based nonprofit centered on youth programs, has reported that its van has been broken into four times in just the past two months. The most recent act of vandalism occurred just a few days ago.
The organization’s mission is to involve children and families in outdoor adventures, for which the van is crucial. The broken windows are seen by the organization as another example of the rampant crime and neglect in Oakland.
Brown Girls Climbing is a youth adventure team for Black, indigenous, and other people of color. The vandalized van, which is parked in the Pill Hill area of Oakland, has become a symbol of the challenges the group faces in its efforts to get kids outdoors.
Emily Taylor, the organizer of Brown Girls Climbing, has expressed her concern about the increasing violence in Oakland. She believes that city leaders and the police department need to take more decisive action against crime.
The recent vandalization resulted in a $700 window repair bill, prompting Taylor to decide to move the van into storage, which will cost thousands of dollars each year.
Despite these setbacks, Brown Girls Climbing is determined to continue its work and is preparing for its fall program. Taylor hopes to convey the importance of the organization to the community and the detrimental impact of these crimes.
To cope with the additional expenses, Brown Girls Climbing is currently conducting a fundraising effort to cover the $5,000 annual storage costs. A documentary is also being made to highlight Emily Taylor’s work with Brown Girls Climbing.