ALBANY, N.Y. -- A local summer program looks to teach Albany teens to be proud of their community.

GameTight Management holds a youth empowerment program each summer. Teens are employed to clean the streets and pick up trash.

The five-week program began on Monday, just days after several acts of violence swept through the city. Organizers say the teens are taught to be leaders and positive influences for peers.

“I show them how to take ownership and accountability and responsibility of themselves and of the job that they have,” says James Davis, owner of GameTight Management.

Those in the program recite a pledge each day before work. Part of that is acknowledging that no one is in their way as they try to create a more positive environment.