Volunteers clean up burglarized meditation center on Genesee Street

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Community members came together Sunday to clean up the Van Hanh Meditation Center on Genesee Street.

During the first week of August, the meditation center that serves as a sanctuary for many in the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian communities in Rochester was burglarized.

Several holy objects and statues were destroyed, and several rooms were ransacked. Volunteers worked in shifts Sunday to put things back in order.

"This is probably been about the fourth time that I’ve dealt with a break-in in this holy place, and it really has got to stop," Rita Gaither said. "They have a right to be here and not be driven out."

The center set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for new security for the property.

Rochester Police said they are investigating but have no suspects in custody.