(SACRAMENTO, CA) — The recovery effort for Oak Park Fix-it Café community shop has entered a critical phase as the organization continues to reel from a devastating burglary that took place over two weeks ago. The incident resulted in significant structural damage and the loss of specialized equipment vital for the shop’s neuro-inclusive vocational programs.
(Screenshot of the GoFundMe campaign launched to save the workspace.)
As of March 2026, a GoFundMe campaign launched to save the workspace has raised $5,365 of its $8,000 goal. This support comes from 52 individual donations, reflecting a strong neighborhood commitment to preserving the Stockton Blvd resource.
Founder Chad Orcutt, known to students as the shop’s "Janitor," noted that while the initial wave of support has helped them catch up on some rent, the theft has created an uphill battle. "Those aren’t the kind of things you easily walk away from," Orcutt said online, referring to the students who finally feel included in education through the shop's programs.
While the immediate shock of the break-in has passed, the long-term impact on the shop at 3818 Stockton Blvd remains severe:
* Theft of Essentials: Thieves made off with the very tools that keep the shop’s doors open, effectively halting several hands-on projects for local youth.
* Rent Deficit: Even before the burglary, the nonprofit was struggling with rent for its Learning Center following a period of forced downtime due to a dramatic increase in crime on the block.
* Programmatic Impact: Safety concerns previously forced the temporary suspension of kids' programs, a move that Orcutt notes "hurt us terribly both financially and emotionally."
In the wake of the crime, local support has been the shop's primary lifeline. Community members, the Stockton Blvd Partnership, and local officials have rallied to reclaim the corridor, but the financial gap remains a threat to the shop’s survival.
(Screenshot of the GoFundMe campaign launched to save the workspace.)
“Most days I had to fight the urge to give up, but I knew I couldn’t quit," Orcutt shared in a recent update to the shop’s GoFundMe campaign. "I have seen the faces of kids who walk in and realize that someone built a school just for them. Building community isn’t always pretty, but it’s always worth it.”
The shop serves as a rare sanctuary for students who often feel excluded from traditional education settings, providing a "judgment-free" space built on mutual aid and creativity.
The organization is still approximately $2,635 short of its immediate target to repair structural damage and replace the stolen equipment. Supporters are encouraged to contribute to the GoFundMe page or visit the shop's official website for information on volunteer opportunities and tool donation drives.
Submit Sacramento County tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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