Youths Plan Carwash for Sports Leagues

Basketball and soccer for younger children could spring up on Blythe Street--a neighborhood with a crime-ridden image--depending at least in part on how many cars a group of teenagers can wash Saturday.

“As soon as we raise enough money we’re going to start,” said Albert Melena, advisor for the Blythe Street Prevention Program, run by the San Fernando Valley Partnership. “We’re trying to raise about $1,000.” It may take a few carwashes--plus a letter-writing campaign and other fund-raisers--before the teenagers who conceived the idea of the sports leagues realize their dream, Melena said.

The 50 teenage members of the youth leadership program geared toward finding alternatives to drugs are working to create the league for elementary and middle school students on Blythe Street, which has been notorious for its gang activity.

Melena said they hope to buy uniforms for the children to play basketball and soccer at a nearby apartment complex.

The carwash will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 7555 Van Nuys Blvd., at the corner of Saticoy Street in Van Nuys.

For information or to make a donation, call the Blythe Street Prevention Program at (818) 988-2881. The address is 14618 Blythe St., Apt. 10, Van Nuys 91402.