Last November, a devastating storm tore off the roof and flooded the sanctuary's meeting hall in Arcata, forcing it to close its doors.
Since the storm, the community has come together and held long volunteer days where members come together to help rebuild what was lost in the storm.
The Sanctuary Community Art Center has been an important hub of the Arcata arts scene since its founding in 2013.
The performing arts center also launched an online fundraising campaign and successfully raised more than ten thousand dollars.
Although almost a year has passed, the work continues with regularly scheduled community work days.
Last Sunday, the sanctuary faced a major trap after someone broke into the building and stole more than $3,000 worth of supplies.
Now they are asking the public for help in locating the stolen materials and making the final repairs needed to reopen their doors.
“Two days ago I noticed the back door was open and I didn't do it. I thought maybe some kids had come in or something because everything was still there. Not that there was much here, but we had a few tools and a computer. There are some things here too. While we're doing construction. And so we boarded up that back door and boarded up all the windows and locked them. And then when I came two mornings ago, someone had “I smashed the basement door with a sledgehammer and took all my tools and my laptop and a clarinet,” said Katie Belknap, director of Sanctuary Arcata.
“Be active in your neighborhood and say, if you hear something funny, maybe call the neighbors or look outside, or because several neighbors heard something but no one did anything. And I want to stay connected not just for myself here but like in the community in general and help keep each other safe in their place. Houses, it's nice to share them. Get your neighbors' numbers and stay connected that way,” said Bellknap.
Shortly before the news broke, the stolen phone and laptop were found near Open Door Health in Arcata.
Belknap says they hope to reopen the sanctuary to the public sometime next spring.
She says anyone who wants to help can donate through the website or volunteer one of their workdays.
Arcata Sanctuary