By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Candice Walker, like many people in Richmond, was appalled and outraged by the recent slayings of five teenagers.

But instead of staying on the sidelines and bemoaning the situation, the bubbly and energetic 36-year-old mother, housewife and businesswoman is taking action.

The Virginia Commonwealth University graduate is now managing a new Facebook page she created, Metro RVA Teens.

The purpose: To offer youths ages 12 to 17 information on everything from job openings to church and community events, she said.

“I just had to do something,” she said after learning about the deaths of the teens.

A sampling of current listings includes information about a teen block party in Hillside Court, an upcoming comic book convention at VCU, a college scholarship information session, auditions for a hip-hop dance school, an event at Maymont and a YWCA teen empowerment program.

“What I found is there are really great programs for teens,” Ms. Walker told the Free Press. “I’m trying to create a hub where the events and offers can be posted and shared.

“My hope is that this space will show young people the opportunities they have for different experiences, no matter where they live,” she said.

Ms. Walker launched the Facebook page on June 16 and the response has been overwhelming. She said she has received a flood of responses from numerous groups eager to get their information on her site.

“A lot of businesses, churches and nonprofits struggle to get the word out” about what they are doing, she said. “This site is seen as a way to reach the teen target audience.”

She already has added a second page to handle requests from groups from Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights who want to spread information about events in the Tri-Cities.

Facebook has notified her that Metro RVA Teens is receiving hundreds of views daily, although she said she doesn’t know whether young people or their parents are visiting the site.

“If all goes well, news stories, tweets, messages and word of mouth will help bring more young people to the site,” she said.

The 12 to 17 age group has interested her since her work of four years with teens through a Genesis outreach initiative sponsored by Fourth Baptist Church.

Ms. Walker reviews every request to post on Metro RVA Teens to ensure individuals and groups are offering programs that are age appropriate and open to all without restrictions.

“For example, I won’t post events that discriminate,” she said.

While she already has her hands full with her three young children and in helping to grow a new business with her husband, she said she has had no problem finding two hours a day to look over new requests and post the approved ones.

She credits the discipline she learned in high school participating in a Junior ROTC program with enabling her to handle multiple tasks.

“It’s fun and I think I’m making a difference,” she said. “Maybe now parents won’t hear their kids say there is nothing to do.”

Information: Contact Ms. Walker at metrorvateens@gmail.com or (804) 833-1694.