BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)- The Ensley mass murder is concerning for everyone in the city.  Maybe the most shocking element in an earth shattering case, are the ages the accused murderers.  They're all teenagers.

"My mind immediately goes to, 'What is it that someone, or we, could've done'," says Anthony Sparks, Executive Director of the YMCA of Birmingham.  What could've been done; that's the question on everyone's mind.  Several organizations are available, but there's one common denominator.  "Proper supervision.  You have an adult supervising them to make sure they're not out gang banging, they're not slinging drugs, they're not doing the types of things they shouldn't be doing in the community," says George Casey, Executive Director of Impact Family Counseling in Birmingham. 

Girl Scouts, IFC, and the YMCA of Birmingham are great options,  but money is always an issue for some people.  These organizations, like many, take that worry away.  The Girl Scouts offer scholarships for membership and programs, as well as offer the opportunity to sell cookies to raise money.  The YMCA also has scholarships.  "No child is turned away because of inability to pay.  If a child wants to be here or if a parent wants a child here, we're going to do whatever we can to make sure they get here," says Sparks.  Impact takes an identical stand.  "Impact provides the courses that we do, the counseling classes, the educational classes, all on either a free or a sliding scale fee basis.  So, if you come to us with little or no income, we'll give you free help," says Casey.

These opportunities are important and available.  If you think your child may be at risk of getting involved with youth violence, don't wait; take action.  Sparks says, "I believe that it takes a village to raise a child.  So, I think it falls on all of us, it's incumbent upon all of us, to help build up those young people."