Help Lauren Rebuild Lavender Locksmith

Hi there!

My name is Lauren Radziejewska. I am the founder of Lavender Locksmith, a New York City locksmith and security company dedicated to providing comprehensive safety and security, particularly to people who have experienced marginalization historically, such as women, LGBTQI folks, and people of color. Unfortunately, many people in these groups have often experienced bias or poor treatment in dealing with contractors and tradespeople. As a woman and a lesbian, I thought I could help with a completely different experience; one that is open, respectful, fair, and which builds community. As a second career, I completed training as a locksmith and launched The Lavender Locksmith in early 2024. Gearing up was a challenge financially. There are so many specialized tools required in the locksmithing trade. I sold personal items and raided my savings to put together a starter kit, and things had been going really well, until...

On November 30th, while returning from a job installing a new deadbolt, I was T-boned by a careless cab while riding my service vehicle, a custom outfitted Vespa with a big tool trunk named Isabel. I was thrown from the bike and landed on my head hard enough to crack my helmet. Fortunately, though, it saved my life. While laying in the EMS squad, all I could think about was that tool bag that was so important to me and my mission. I asked the police to retrieve it from the crash so I could take it with me in the ambulance.

After a long day, I was released with a severe concussion and whiplash, but otherwise okay. Still very out of it, I made my way home with my precious tool bag. I set it down outside my apartment door, in our theoretically secure building, and found my keys. I was dizzy and sat down, only to fall fast asleep. You probably can guess what happened next. Around midnight, I woke and remembered the bag, but it wasn't there. I was still woozy and thought I had probably dragged it inside or something and just fell back asleep.

The next morning, and a clearer head, revealed that the bag had been stolen. Inside were all my essential and specialty tools, from drills and grinders to special pin kits, drivers, wrenches, etc... 30 lbs of tools worth over $2000.

The outpouring of love and support from friends, customers, and neighbors has really warmed my heart. It is a huge financial hit to my very small business to replace these tools all at once while still making the purchases of locks, etc., to handle jobs that come up. People suggested a GoFundMe to help. I have a lot of pride, and it bothers me to ask for financial help, but this could be the difference between my continuing to build this affirming service and community, and going under. So I humbly am here asking for any support you might offer. Big or small doesn't matter. Right now, my faith in people is pretty shaken, and all the support people have shown has brought me to tears.

Thank you so much for reading!

Lauren

All funds will go to directly replace the following tools that were stolen. This is my standard kit needed every day:

1- Milwaukee Fuel 12v Hammer/Driver Drill

1- Milwaukee Fuel 12v die grinder

3-Milwaukee Fuel 12v 2ah battery packs

4- Stanley wood chisels

2- Snap-on locking pliers, large and small

6- PB Swiss heavy duty screwdrivers

1-Piccard Ball Peen hammer

1- Channel lock ring pliers

1- Knipex all purpose pliers

1- Eklind nesting hex set, SAE

1-Eklind nesting hex set, metric

1-Klein Tools pocket shear tool

1-Klein Tools Large adjustable wrench

1-Stanley small adjustable wrench

1-Klein Tools mini ratchet with bits

1-Norseman 40 piece industrial drill set

3-Major Carbide rotary burr tools

3-Milwaukee hole dozer hole saws, 1". 1-1/8" and 2-1/4"

1-KTC mini file set, 5 files

1-All purpose mini lock pin kit

1-Medeco standard mini lock pin kit

1-Lock Monkey door shim set

5- standard new lock cylinders

1- Cut proof protective gloves

1- Houdini lock spray lube

1- Super Lube lock grease

1-Assorted screws, bolts, washers kit

1- Lock maintenance parts kit

1-Carhartt large tool bag

All these plus dozens of lock hardware pieces such as guard plates, springs, hinges etc.

Thank you so much for reading!

Lauren