One local not-for-profit organization has been targeted by thieves.

Dress for Success was broken into and raided sometime on Sunday. Thieves gained access through the back door of the facility. Many items from the boutique were stolen including shoes, clothes, nearly all of the jewelry on site, purses, cosmetics and more.

“I feel violated. It hurts my heart,” said Dagmar Hargreaves, founder of the Central Alberta chapter, which is located in the lower level of 4917 – 48th St. “We are a not-for-profit who is trying to help women move on in their life, and then someone does this? It is probably people that are affected just like the folks are that we are trying to help.

“I just feel so sad that someone would target a charity.”

Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization that offers services for women who require clothing to return to work. Their mission statement says its purpose is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Meanwhile, an emergency board meeting will be held tonight to determine what happens next.

“We are moving forward. This is not going to conquer us,” said Hargreaves. “But we’re not sure how we are going to move forward. We don’t know what that is going to look like yet.”

Hargreaves added ultimately it’s the clients who the organization serves that will suffer because of the brazen act.

“Someone had a kind heart and donated this to us, and now it’s been taken. I feel bad for the donors, I feel bad for the women we won’t be able to serve properly for a while. It makes me very sad and I’m really angry, too. We’ve only ever tried to reach out and help in the community.”

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com