By Semantha Raquel Norris
Special to San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol
Early Monday morning, Somos Familia Valle, a San Fernando Valley-based LGBTQ+ community organization, was broken into, resulting in approximately $8,000 in damages. Security video footage reveals two people on bicycles fleeing with essential equipment from the nonprofit, including iPads, laptops, speakers, microphones and LED lights.
“This space is more than a building. It is where families find acceptance, where queer and trans youth feel seen and protected and where our community comes together to heal, learn and celebrate,” Somos Familia Valle wrote in a statement on GoFundMe. “The break-in was not only a financial loss, it was a violation of safety and trust in a space created with love, care and intention.”
The nonprofit has been operating in the valley for over 10 years, but opened the doors to its first physical community space, on the corner of Sheldon Street and Rincon Avenue in Sun Valley, in the summer of 2024.
“We’ve had a great first year. We’ve never had issues,” said Kevin Al Perez, president and founder of Somos Familia Valle, who described the theft as “very shocking.”
Around 3:40 a.m., the thieves gained access to an electrical maintenance room that serves the plaza where the nonprofit is located, according to Perez. They cut power to the entire complex and entered the nonprofit by breaking a hole in a shared wall.
“They did not go through the entrance of our center,” said Perez. “They hammered their way in and broke into the wall, into our office space. And then through there, they made a hole under [the desk] through to our blue room space.”
Perez said the theft of the laptops and iPads affects their canvassing and phone banking programs, while the loss of the audio system impacts their events and dance classes. He added that they have received an outpouring of support from the community, who have volunteered to help repair the space, provide free performances and loan the nonprofit equipment for events.
“Although this happened,” said Perez, “we’re still moving forward and don’t want our movement work to be halted.”
Somos Familia Valle has decided to pause all programming for the rest of the month while they fix walls, update their security system and work on replacing the stolen equipment, but will still be holding their annual holiday party on Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“Given the circumstances, we are pivoting our holiday party into a fundraiser and a reminder that queer joy cannot be taken away from us,” the GoFundMe statement reads. “Even in moments of harm, we choose to come together, uplift one another, and reclaim our space with love and strength.”
To donate to Somos Familia Valle’s recovery funds, visit: https://gofund.me/8ea8c3b17.