Thieves Target Englewood Community Center

A West Englewood community center has been victimized by the type of crime it's trying to provide a respite from.

The non-profit center, Imagine Englewood If, helps under-privileged kids in the neighborhood.

But this week, burglars made off with several items inside the offices at 730 W. 69th St., including a printer, six computers, a fax machine and even a hot plate used to serve hot meals.

"How can we replace what's missing, cause what we had, is what we need," the center's executive director, Jean Carter-Hill said.

The young people who spend there time at the center find it difficult to understand why anyone would burglarize a community center.

"When I come after school it makes me feel safe, it gives me something to do and feel positive," Cory Fraction said.

"For the people who did this, just stop what you're doing and think about it. you really hurt people in our community," Brianna Lawrence said.

Carter-Hill, who left her job two years ago to start the non-profit, says she has no choice but to keep going.

"You have to get back up when you get knocked down, otherwise you can just throw your hands up and give it up," she said.

Carter-Hill is offering a $200 reward for the return of her computer, which contains the database of all of her donors.

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