Thieves break into Break Free at-risk youth center, steal electronics

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A community center that helps at-risk youth keep out of trouble has found itself in trouble. Someone broke into the facility, taking money and computers. But one important thing was left behind.

The damage from the break in is clear to see at the Break Free community center.

"They broke our windows, stole our computers, they stole our iPads. They stole other equipment that is very beneficial for our facility and all the programs we do here at Break Free," said Moy Rivas with Break Free.

On a normal day, Rivas teaches kids five and up about positive hp hop culture, dance and creative expression as a way for kids to change their lives.

But on that day, the program's executive director is picking up the pieces left behind by someone who desperately needs to hear the center's message.

"We cannot let anything slow us down, so we are here for our community. We are here for our youth, and they are the next generation so we are going to do everything we can do in our will and in our hearts to give back to them," Rivas said.

The center has been operating since 2011 and so far hundreds of kids have come through the doors.

Apparently, those who broke in cut the alarm and smashed a main window.

While the kids who come here will be walking past a boarded up window, organizers say those coming to Break Free will not miss out on anything else.

"It a small thing happening to something so great, so we cannot let this small thing affect us. We are very passionate about what we do so those things are very valuable, but at the end of the day, what's more valuable is what we are doing with our community," Rivas said.

Find Jeff on Facebook at ABC13JeffEhling or on Twitter at @jeffehlingabc13

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