newbie: folder permssions

Hello everyone, (if you get exasperated by newbies, please disregard this post.) As for the rest of you, here goes: I am running a mac os x server for my family and friends, and I would like for them to each have webspace in addition to there existing storage space. I have tried to make them each a folder in the Library/WebServer/Documents folder, then alias from their respecting home folders, but when they ftp in, the alias shows up as a document instead of a folder. So I must somehow link a webspace folder in their home folder, to one in the websever folder, and give them the right permissions to change it. Sorry if this seems a tall order, or vague, but I am at a wall. Thanks in advance, - vlad