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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Prom dresses stored for struggling girls in Spokane ruined by vandal who sprayed fire extinguisher

FILE - This ceiling tile at Daybreak Youth Services was inspired by the movie “Walk the Line.” Burglars broke into Daybreak’s downtown offices early Monday morning. (Liz Kishimoto / The Spokesman-Review)

Someone broke into the downtown Spokane administrative offices of Daybreak Youth Services early Monday, spilled paint on the floor and sprayed a fire extinguisher all over hundreds of prom dresses being stored for teenage girls who struggle with substance abuse.

Daybreak’s life-enrichment director, Catherine Reynolds, said the culprit or culprits broke a window sometime before 1 a.m. to enter the building at 960 E. Third Ave. The security alarm didn’t work at first, but sounded when someone entered the room where the dresses were stored, she said.

Items also were stolen from packages of toiletries that were to be given to Daybreak’s teenage clients, Reynolds said. Police responded to the security alarm, but the culprit or culprits had left and were not caught, she said.

“We think it was kids,” she said. “The point is there’s a lot of kids who are bored without school during the summer.”

Daybreak offers inpatient and outpatient programs for teenage girls in Spokane and Spokane Valley. No clients are helped at the downtown administrative offices.

The organization hosts prom, homecoming and spring formal dances for its clients. Reynolds said more than 300 gowns had been covered with toxic fire retardant during the break-in, though a local dry-cleaning shop, Careful Cleaners, had volunteered to try restoring them to wearable condition. She said Daybreak would accept donations of prom dresses and personal hygiene products.

Those interested in donating should call (509) 444-7033.