BIDDEFORD — Anger and despair were among the first emotions that gripped those closest to the two young men who were killed on a Biddeford street three weeks ago. Now friends and family members of the victims are hoping to create something positive from this tragedy.

On June 30, Derek Greene, 21, and Gage Greene, 19, of Biddeford were shot to death on South Street. The court system is just beginning the long process of trying Rory Holland, 55, of Biddeford, for their alleged murder.

But friends and family members of the victims are wasting no time in using the tragic event as a catalyst to change some of their own lives for the better and help the local community in the process.

Prior to their deaths, the Greene brothers were part of a group of young people in the city who formed a “crew,” a kind of second family to watch out for each other and protect one another.

“Most are not from traditional, supportive homes,” said Laura Kimball, a friend of the victims’ mother.

Tammy Cole, mother of the Greene brothers, said, like her sons, many of their friends came from single-parent homes where making enough money to pay the bills was a struggle.

The group of adolescents and young adults, who called themselves the Ride and Die crew, joined together to help one another.

It was a family, not a gang, said Casey Goldthwait, 18, who said she started the crew with Derek Greene. Some found clothes for those who needed them, others found a place to live for those without. However along the way, negative actions that resulted in police involvement were associated with the group.

Now “there is no Ride and Die. It’s done,” said Cole. She said it died with her sons.

Instead, this group is forming a new crew, a working crew that will work for positive change, said Cole. One name being considered for the new group is “Go Greene.” That’s green with an “e” at the end of the word, in honor of her sons.

This is all part of an effort by these young people who want to turn their lives around, said Cole.

Kurtis White, a friend of the brothers who was a witness to their death, said that the event “really opened my eyes. I really want to change my life,” he said. White said he would like to go to college one day.

Richard Brouchau said he hopes the group’s efforts will get more young people off the streets and give them something positive to do with their time and their lives.

There are a number of teens and young adults on the streets of Biddeford with no direction, nobody to care about them, and living “crazy lives,” said Goldthwait. She said she would like to see that change.

Goldthwait has a special reason to change her life for the better: She has a young baby.

“I want to do right by her,” she said. Graduating from high school is a priority.

In addition to changing their own lives, the group also wants to help the community, said Kimball. One project they plan to tackle is building a ramp for a local resident who has had her leg amputated. The group is looking for local contractors to assist and donations of lumber for this project.

There are also plans in the works to take part in clean-up efforts in the neighborhood near Green and South streets, where the shootings took place, as well as the city’s downtown.

Another goal is helping to stop graffiti in the city, by working with the Biddeford Police Department, and removing existing “tagging” with a downtown committee that’s already tackling graffiti clean-up.

But the group’s first order of business is the Go Greene Benefit Concert on Wednesday, which will raise money to help pay for the funeral arrangements of Derek and Gage Greene.

Both Cole and Kimball are excited that so many of the city’s young people who were friends with the Greene brothers are interested in changing their lives for the better.

The women say they are hoping to generate financial and other resources to help with their efforts.

Bill Macomber, who represents Youth Organizing for Better Opportunities, attended the meeting on Monday to speak to the group and offered his assistance.

The group has also been offered a regular meeting spot at Christ Episcopal Church on Crescent Street.

“If I could have done something like this before,” said Cole, “I might still have my boys.”

As for her sons’ friends who are still here, “I’m not giving up on them,” she said.

The Go Greene benefit concert, which will feature about 10 local bands, will take place on Wednesday, July 22, at the Stephen White Gym at Biddeford High School on Maplewood Avenue. All ages are welcome. The doors open at  5 p.m.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.