Community teams up for area teens

Waynesboro YMCA Executive Director Jeff Fife is teaming up with local police and the local office on youth to present a wintertime Friday night alternative to gang activity for teens.

Friday Night Basketball makes it debut this week at the Waynesboro YMCA and continues from 9 to midnight each Friday until March 27.

Youths 12 to 16 have the opportunity to play basketball, watch big screen NBA action and enjoy other activities at the Y.

Friday’s kickoff will include pizza and music from DJ Kid Quest.

“We want to give teens a choice,’’ Fife said.

The alternative, Fife said, could be kids spending time on the street unsupervised.

Diane Kellogg, the gang prevention coordinator for the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth, said gang graffiti and tagging in the area provide evidence that the activity is ongoing.

“You don’t see the activity as much as in the summer when they are on the streets showing [gang] colors,’’ she said.

Waynesboro Police Sgt. Brian Edwards said off-duty Waynesboro officers will join in the action Friday nights.

“It’s a nice opportunity for us to show off a different side. Very few of us get to meet youth under good circumstances,’’ he said.

The Office on Youth and United Way of Greater Augusta are helping fund the new program.

Fife said he hopes to see at least 50 to 60 teens playing basketball each Friday night.

Any adult interested in helping with the Friday Night Basketball program can contact Fife at 943-YMCA.