PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- Paya Williams works with teenagers around Philadelphia neighborhoods struggling with a health crisis on top of the coronavirus pandemic.
"If you look at the number of murders of just the youth alone that are happening -- it's getting crazy out there," Williams said.
As the city faces record gun violence, many of the teenagers she and her husband coach are from the worst-affected communities.
"They're just shooting up the (basketball) courts, they don't care if you're involved in the streets or if you're involved in anything or not."
Many of the 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds don't feel safe playing the game they love at parks near their homes. Organized sports have paused because of COVID-19 risks, but for D-Up Basketball, the sport remains a lifesaver and a refuge.
Williams, whose career is in physical therapy, says communication is essential for the teenagers facing adversities.
"Keeping open conversations, allowing them to express themselves freely, making sure that they have an outlet," she said.
Williams says, since the nonprofit resumed workouts, they've been taking precautions to keep people safe with temperature checks, masks, and sanitizing. They have to rent a private gym, because the public ones are still closed.
"Everybody's been really compliant, because it gives them something to do."
The city is still gripped by a pandemic, and many things in life remain uncertain, but Williams says they're glad to be able to keep giving kids a fun, safe, and healthy outlet.
"We feed them. They're happy, and they're staying out of trouble. It gives you that feeling of not just having to sit back and be helpless."
