Mon | Dec 15, 2025

Youth gain skills through MultiCare, Starbucks initiative

Published:Thursday | December 11, 2025 | 12:18 AM
The MultiCare Youth Foundation’ Executive Director Mitzian Turner (right), administrative manager Ann Astwood (2nd right), and senior project officer Ganesh Nactie (centre back in black) led their hardworking team in celebrating their protegees’ and Pr
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The MultiCare Youth Foundation’ Executive Director Mitzian Turner (right), administrative manager Ann Astwood (2nd right), and senior project officer Ganesh Nactie (centre back in black) led their hardworking team in celebrating their protegees’ and Project achievements, at a recent close out ceremony.

The MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF) and partners have announced the completion of the Starbucks YUTE Work II programme, which provided life skills and employability training to 53 young people from vulnerable communities.

The eight-month initiative targeted out-of-school and out-of-work youth aged 16 to 29 living near Starbucks coffeehouses in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine.

At the recent close-out ceremony at the Courtleigh Hotel, MYF Executive Director Mitzian Turner said the programme demonstrated the impact of coordinated social interventions.

“The Project’s results highlight the importance of social interventions in bringing about change at the community and grass-roots levels,” Turner said. “Participants have been provided with mentorship support, economic opportunities, employable skills and certification that will last them a lifetime, and which, if applied, can bring about real alternatives to crime and violence.”

Turner thanked donors for “believing in the power of (MYF’s) theory of change” and trusting the foundation to guide the second iteration.

MYF enrolled 54 participants, exceeding its target of 30 to offset attrition. Of these, 53 completed life and employability skills training, with 29 earning certification for attending more than half of the sessions. Twenty-five joined vocational training to prepare for roles as customer service representatives or installation technicians, while more than 20 gained on-the-job experience through internships.

PAIRED WITH MENTORS

Eighteen were paired with mentors to support their personal and professional development, and participants also received food and transport stipends, assistance with food handler’s permits and civil registration documents, referrals and job-placement support.

Turner credited community partners including Gomex Training Institute, Pembroke Hall High School, Community Liaisons and Faith Assembly of God for their role in delivering local impact.

“By leveraging The Starbucks Foundation’s global grant-making framework, the programme exemplifies how international philanthropy can produce meaningful local impact –delivering concrete opportunities for youth in Jamaica while aligning with a broader global mission of community upliftment,” said Roxanne Dixon-Rose, regional director at Caribbean Coffee Baristas Limited.

The Starbucks YUTE Work II programme builds on a 2018–2019 pilot run by MYF, the philanthropic arm of the ICD Group, Starbucks – operated locally by Caribbean Coffee Baristas Limited and The Starbucks Foundation.