A nonprofit tutoring center in Antioch says thieves cleaned out a big chunk of its classroom tech last week, breaking into its space at 512 W. 2nd Street and taking 40 donated Chromebooks, staff laptops, livestream gear and other teaching equipment. The organization estimates roughly $18,000 in losses from the burglary, which it says happened sometime between 4 p.m. Thursday and 6 p.m. Friday.
Sandro Trujillo, executive director of RRTH Learning Center and RR Ministries, called the theft devastating for the young people his team serves. "When these people came in and stole our Chromebooks, they're not stealing from me, they're stealing from our kids," Trujillo told SFGATE.
On top of the stolen gear, the nonprofit said someone tried to get into its Venmo, PayPal, email and other banking accounts after the break-in, according to CBS News. As of that report, the Antioch Police Department had not responded to requests for comment. The center says the stolen devices were critical for the hundreds of students and families who rely on its programs each year.
Fundraiser and Summer Programs
RRTH has a fundraiser on the calendar for this Sunday at 2 p.m., a taco sale and raffle aimed at replacing the missing equipment before summer tutoring kicks off, organizers said in an update picked up by SFGATE. They say they are counting on ticket and food sales to help them open classes on time so students do not lose access to devices just as summer sessions begin.
Why Losing 40 Devices Matters
RRTH provides Chromebooks free to students and runs after-school tutoring, reading intervention and job-readiness programs in Antioch and Pittsburg, according to RR Ministries. For a small nonprofit, losing a fleet of 40 devices is not just an accounting headache, it can push lower-income students off the tech they need for schoolwork and interventions. The situation tracks with national reporting on how heavily schools now lean on issued devices.
How To Help
The nonprofit has asked neighbors to keep an eye out for anything that looks off, especially anyone trying to unload large quantities of Chromebooks, CBS News reported. Anyone with tips can contact the Antioch Police Department through its non-emergency line.
