Multicare Foundation seeking mentors for at-risk youths
THE MULTICARE Youth Foundation is on a recruitment drive to find adults who can volunteer ti me to provide support for at-risk youths for a year, according to counselling psychologist with the Foundation, Leeta Gayle.
The Gleaner caught up with Gayle during third day of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Transformations 2023: People, Quality and Technology Expo at the National Arena on Saturday, where she was manning a Crime Stop Jamaica booth. She explained that the Multicare Foundation works with Crime Stop, which helps in identifying children, especially from the inner-city, who are at risk of getting involved in crime or other delinquent behaviours.
The counseling psychologist pointed out the pivotal role that adults can have on the lives of youngsters, through positive engagement with them.
“Today we are l ooking for mentors because we can give them (youths) the interventions as much as we want. However, without that person who will be there to complement and guide them, who will be there for them, to talk to them about life, as well as other issues, and be able to guide them, they will remain at risk of getting in trouble.
“So, they need adults who will be there, who they can go to for advice, guidance and support, especially when temptations come their way. There are role models who will help them to see why the easiest path is not necessarily the best way to go.”
Where necessary, the Foundation provides professional counselling to help the youngsters who come under its care.
Established in April 1993 under the, ‘Creating Hope, Empowering Many’, the Multicare Foundation focuses on t he building of character and promotion of tolerance and good interpersonal skills, through structured activities in sport, the visual and performing arts. It started with six schools and a commitment to youth and community development, particularly among students and young people from inner-city areas of Kingston. Today, its core programmes are delivered in 31 schools from as far as Bull Bay in St Andrew through eastern, western and central Kingston to the Greater Portmore area in St Catherine. The programmes are designed to inculcate discipline and responsibility, promote good physical, emotional and mental health development while providing the youngsters with opportunities to shine and achieve, building confidence and self-esteem.
“Ultimately, MultiCare aims to have these young people adopt a softer and gentler approach to living compared to those to which many of them are regularly exposed and promote positive lifestyle choices leading to the development of well-rounded and productive adults,” according to the Foundation’s Website.