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The break-in was a breaking point.

“We are so lucky that there is no major damage,” said Kween of the Kween Company, who is the former executive director of the GBHS, adding she is worried for the community members who use the building.

The GBHS confirmed it has updated security systems and keep everything locked up tight at Heritage Hall.

But what is also “troubling,” according to GBHS president Denise Francis, is the letters written and delivered to the building. It is not just online messages and emails.

“This is a regular occurrence,” said Francis. “The threats to property, cursing and cyberbullying.”

“They are also calling now,” added Kween. She said that letters and messages share racist perceptions and words and “are getting old.”

“I don’t know how many times they can keep calling me the N-word,” said Kween.

Both Kween and Francis used the word “persistent” to describe the offenders contacting them. Some have repeatedly written the GBHS in what Kween called a “relentless” way.

Kween said individuals and groups have also contacted the University of Guelph, among other places, due to events they have held and made complaints.

Kween was quick to point out the GBHS is not the only group targeted, and said they stand with other communities and churches who have also had hate-motivated experiences. The GBHS is grateful for their support.

“Maybe if we all work together, we can get somewhere,” said Kween.

The GBHS has made reports to police in the past and confirmed that the ���߲ݴ�ýPolice Service reached out about recent threats as well as the break-in.

The ���߲ݴ�ýPolice Service issued a statement urging individuals and organizations to report crimes to police so they can be investigated, and said they take “threats or acts of damage or violence very seriously.”

Scott Tracey, media relations officer for the ���߲ݴ�ýPolice Service, said police were aware of the recent crimes allegedly committed against the GBHS.

“We understand that some victims, for a variety of reasons, may not be ready to report a crime. We respect that right and want the community to know that we are ready to listen to them and investigate criminal occurrences coming forward,” Tracey said in an email.

Francis said that, unfortunately, not much was done in the past.

“We only have limited resources and energy,” said Francis, “and calling the police is not the most effective use of our time.”

Francis said the GBHS just wants to give and receive respect.

“We are a cultural organization, we have programs, we have events,” said Francis, who shared they never have malicious intent.

She hopes people who do not agree with what they are doing can simply leave them alone.

Both Kween and Francis said that they get “tired” and “disappointed,” and want to focus their energy on making positive change.

“Despite the fact that sometimes it feels like it is pointless, it doesn’t discourage me from doing the work,” Kween said. “I want people to be safe.”

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Ongoing threats have been reported to the public by the ���߲ݴ�ýBlack Heritage Society among other groups, and during the last week of March, the GBHS said that Heritage Hall was broken into in a post shared to social media. The ���߲ݴ�ýMercury Tribune wanted to learn more about these recent incidents and ways the community could offer support.