The Multicare Youth Foundation; giving the youth of Jamaica a ray of hope

BY JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM

Since its inception, the vision ‘In the business of changing lives… Creating opportunities for vulnerable children and youth,’ has served as the inspirational core of The MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF).

The Foundation has consistently demonstrated its passion for nation building through its investment in youth and community development and the creation of and involvement in initiatives that result in positive transformations in the lives of at-risk children and youth in the inner-city communities in which they live.

The official training partner of the MYF is the HEART Trust National Training Agency (HEART Trust/NTA), an organization with a mission to build a trained, qualified and globally competitive Jamaican workforce to meet the demands and challenges of globalization. HEART Trust NTA is the national body with the responsibility for assessment and certification of the Jamaican workforce.

Dawn Wheatley Williams, Project Specialist (Acting) at HEART, speaking about the agency’s involvement in MYF programs, expressed, “HEART exists to build and sustain a globally-competitive Jamaican labor force, responsive to the demands and complexities of the modern workplace. We are passionate about creating a Jamaican workforce, trained and certified at international standards, who can improve Jamaica’s national productivity and competitiveness. The MYF projects stood out as ways which would help us achieve that goal and we became very excited to be involved.”

She further stated that, “Many Jamaicans are not afforded the opportunity to become their best selves and so when approached to collaborate with The MultiCare Youth Foundation on its varying projects the answer had to be yes. We are proud of all the participants that enrolled in these projects and we look forward to all the successes they will bring for themselves and the communities in which they live.”

Legally merged in 2017, MYF is now an amalgamation of three youth-serving organisations: The MultiCare Foundation established in 1993 to enrich the lives of children in 31 underserved schools using Sports, and the Visual and Performing Arts as catalysts for change; Youth Upliftment Through Employment (YUTE) established in 2010 to provide skills training and employment opportunities for unattached, at-risk youth; and Jamaica’s premier mentoring organisation, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU). The Foundation is benefitting more than 3,000 vulnerable children and youth between the ages of 6 and 29 years, annually, and more than 69 marginalised communities across Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine.

While catering to two main cohorts: children aged 6 to18 years benefit from enrichment programmes in Sports and the Visual and Performing Arts, and unattached youth between the ages of 16 and 29 years benefit from skills training, life skills, mentorship and work experience aimed at improving their employability and increasing opportunities for inclusion in the productive labour force.

Kimberly Clarke (Starbucks YUTE Work Participant), expressed her appreciation for the opportunities she has received through participation in MYF projects. “I have nothing but praises to The MultiCare Youth Foundation. I see my dreams manifesting and I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I did not expect to be on this road, but I trusted that it would have come. I thank the foundation for giving me an opportunity and a mentor that will make me into a positive contributor to society and allowing me to be my best self.”

Tevin Williams (one of 13 graduates from the YUTE Programme who have acquired and maintained employment), revealed, “I have been working with Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) for seven years, and I must say, I am grateful for the leaders at JMMB, who always provide me with inspiring words. I would like to thank my mentor who I met through MYF, Icylyn Golding – she is a blessing. She always motivates me; I look up to her as a leader and a boss. She always provides me with encouraging words, she always checks in with me, about how my family is doing. I’m grateful for all of that.”

Tevin Wynter, another beneficiary says, “MYF opens doors for the inner city society; they give second chances, and create opportunity for inner city youth, and I must commend them for the help they have given me. It is much more than I could ever repay them for. I really appreciate it.”

Cordeisha Pitter expressed her gratitude to MYF for their role in nation building. She believes, “MYF is an excellent foundation, and I must say thank you to Mr. Matalon and all the persons who are affiliated with it. They have done very well for the country. I would love for all the youths to get involved with their programmes to change the mindset of inner-city youths. This has changed my whole life, and helped me to be a better parent for my daughter.”

Kareem Manning, a young man from the bowels of the ghetto, shared his sentiments. “Living in the ghetto, it always seemed like an up and down story. Lots of violence, but I always tried to tell myself that I want to leave and see if things can be better. I got involved with the sports programme at MYF, and it helped me significantly. It provided me with a distraction from the harsh realities of life in Central Kingston, where I grew up with my parents and four siblings, and it helped me to hone my sporting skills. Football has been my passion since I was a student at Holy Family Primary School in downtown Kingston. I was always kicking a bottle, and then I stepped up and got a soccer ball. I was always at the games and even going to Holy Family; I always told myself that I’m going to represent Jamaica. Now I’ve managed to tick that goal off my list. I’ve played internationally for Jamaica, and I’ve earned caps with the under-20, under-21, under-23 and senior football teams. One important lesson I’ve learnt is this: Never give up. Always push and push harder. Always continue to believe in yourself, no matter what.”

Ayanna Kirton, shared her experience from the perspective of mentor with the MYF. “My mentees are from disenfranchised communities and have not had the opportunities that I am fortunate to have, so their day-to-day lives are very challenging. As their mentor, I am committed to helping in whatever way I can. It is so important for youth to have people in their corner supporting them even if it is just by being there. You’d be surprised how many kids just want someone to listen to them for a few minutes, hear them out and offer constructive advice. Positive reinforcement and knowing that they have someone they can depend on really helps to build their confidence and hopefully change their impression about relationships and ultimately, their view of the world.”