FERGUS – Freya Hunter is pleased to be able to open the doors to her facility again and is warmed by the outpouring of community support. But she could have done without the vandalism.
Hunter is the director of Autism Behavioural Services with sites in Fergus and Orangeville. In late March of this year, the Fergus site, at 420 St. George St. W., was vandalized.
The former St. Joseph’s Church, which she bought along with the parish hall next door in 2018, had been spray painted with derogatory language and tagged with initials – part of an apparent vandalism spree that was going through town at the time.
“I was horrified,” Hunter said in an interview. “Of course, we called police. And then we scrubbed it off. We didn’t want to upset the children or their parents.”
On April 13, Hunter was notified the church had been vandalized again – only this time vandals broke the door, gained entry, and went to town on the interior of the just-renovated space.
“Three windows were broken, swastikas were painted on the floor and they threw paint over our therapeutic materials and equipment. It’s been a nightmare,” she said.
Hunter said damages to the building are estimated at $65,000 and the cost to replace the contents is another $35,000. And while insurance will cover much of that, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help cover the balance.
The centre teaches children with autism functional skills, like learning to speak and use communication devices, toileting, reading, life skills and social skills.
Hunter said most sessions are offered in the parish hall, but social skills were taught in the former church, a space where children could run around, use large pieces of equipment and gather in groups for social activities.
She continued to offer those services in the parish hall while repairs were done.
“We didn’t want (the children) to lose out,” she said, although the smaller space has been confining.
And not being able to use the church has underscored how often they use the building, she added.
This photo shows paint thrown on equipment and furniture at Autism Behavioural Services in Fergus after the centre was vandalized twice this spring. Submitted photo
So, she was delighted that the church was ready on July 12 to open for summer camp, although it’s been a scramble to replace all the equipment and have things ready to go since receiving the keys on July 9.
“I’ve spent my entire life building a space that’s safe for these vulnerable children. To see it violated without a second thought…” she said, her voice trailing off.
“I’m sure they don’t realize what it takes to put it back together again. I can’t even believe it sometimes.”
Items that likely won’t be covered by insurance include enabling kits, bubble soccer balls, puppets, tables, chairs and workstations.
Hunter said officials hope to raise $10,000 through the GoFundMe account and as of July 14, had received $7,600 in donations.
“This experience has been disheartening, but it’s amazing how the community has stepped up,” she said.
“The community has been so gracious, and my heart is so big and warm. It’s filled.
“We protected the kids from it and that’s most important. They are my world.”
The Go-Fund-Me page can be found at https://ca.gofundme.com/f/autism-behavioural-services-fundraiser.
