At-Risk Youth in Five Communities Benefit from Initiatives of MYF

The MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF) has achieved outstanding success in its efforts to transform the lives of at-risk youth across five communities in four parishes.

These targeted communities include Whitfield Town and Trench Town in Kingston and St. Andrew, Effortville in Clarendon, Russia in Westmoreland, and Salt Spring in St. James.

Through its European Union (EU) Bridge Project, the MYF has made significant strides in reducing risk levels, fostering positive behavioural change, and empowering young people to build a brighter future.

With an overarching goal to decrease risk factors among beneficiaries, the MYF is utilising the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) risk assessment tool to establish baseline measurements at the end of each intervention.

Upon completion of targeted interventions, reassessments are conducted to track progress, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive.

Director of Projects and Strategic Management at the MYF, Mitzian Turner, informs JIS News that “one of the most impactful elements of the programme is the life skills training component, which has recorded a 64 per cent improvement in attitude, behaviour and competencies among participants”.

Additionally, mentorship initiatives have played a crucial role in guiding young people towards personal growth and career readiness, with an astonishing 98 per cent improvement in goal setting and aspirations.

“Cognitive behavioural therapy has also been a key aspect of the MYF’s approach, particularly in remand centres, where participants have engaged eagerly in discussions aimed at reshaping their perspectives and decision-making abilities,” Ms. Turner says.

She points out that while the MYF team was faced with the challenge of shifting long-standing mindsets of youth beneficiaries, the programme’s early successes indicated its transformative potential.

“It’s difficult to change years of built-in personalities, behaviours and world view that may have been shaped by traumatic experiences, negative environmental factors and personal narratives, but the programme is sound in its principle and tools and has proven its transformative power in adding value to the lives of our participants,” Ms. Turner tells JIS News.

Another notable accomplishment for the MYF has been the economic empowerment of youth through internships and skill-building opportunities.

“The Foundation has successfully placed participants in internships, ensuring they receive valuable work experience and fostering their integration into the job market. Organisations partnering with the MYF provide professional development, which is a critical feature of this intervention,” Ms. Turner says.

Beyond individual growth, the MYF’s advocacy, through the arts initiative, has provided young people with an outlet to express themselves and create positive change within their communities.

Ms. Turner further highlights that in 2024, 25 programme participants were trained in videography and photography, enabling them to document their realities and spearhead campaigns against crime and violence.

This initiative has also extended beyond the youth, as it has engaged members from the wider communities in mural projects that promote unity and hope.

With the project now in its final phase, the MYF is intensifying its marketing efforts, as it is also seeking to train community members with dispute resolution skills.

This important training empowers trusted community figures to de-escalate conflicts and contribute to long-term peace-building efforts.

As the Foundation prepares for the future, it is calling on public and private-sector organisations to join the cause.
Companies and individuals can lend support by becoming mentors, offering internship opportunities, or contributing resources to sustain these vital initiatives beyond the life of the project.

“I would really like to encourage persons who want to make a difference in the life of an at-risk youth, who want to add value and who are searching for ways to actively get involved in the fight against crime and violence to really come on board. Companies can partner with us by becoming internship hosts, while individuals can apply to be a part of our Mentorship Programme,” says Ms. Turner.

She adds that the value of mentorship is immeasurable, not only for the participants, but for the mentors themselves.

A special appeal has also been made for young people aged 17 to 29 from the targeted Westmoreland and St. James communities of Russia and Salt Spring, who are seeking a fresh start, to reach out to the MYF and be part of this life-changing experience.

For more information on how to participate or support the MYF’s initiatives, persons can visit www.myfjamaica.com or call 876-922-6670.