GoodHeart | Former MultiCare participant David Newland gives back as creative mentor

The former President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, once said, “The youth need to be enabled to become job generators from job-seekers.” Well, local creative and entrepreneur David Newland is doing just that, as he embarks upon a new mission to mentor the future generation.

After enrolling in the Youth Upliftment Through Employment (YUTE) lens support programme, which is a part of The MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF) back in 2015, Newland returned to the foundation in January. Only this time, he came to be trained as an MYF mentor and was matched to a current youth beneficiary. And, as the founder of his design studio, Finesse Design Imagery, the experienced multimedia professional was invited to do a photoshoot with the foundation’s team members. The significance of having come ‘full circle’ in providing an essential service was not only exciting, but profoundly moving.

“I was actually overwhelmed! MultiCare really paved the way for me. And I think they are doing a really good job, one that will do a lot for Jamaica’s future by helping youth who face a lot of challenges. I am impressed by what they are doing, and any way I can play a part, I will,” he told GoodHeart.

At the pivotal age of 19, Newland was facing a career dilemma. He started out by doing odd jobs repairing computers, phones and other mobile devices while looking for a job. “I was really frustrated,” he explained, finding no professional prospects in his wake. So, when a friend of his suggested that he applied for the course with the foundation, under the philanthropic arm of the ICD Group, he saw this as a ray of hope.

The lens support programme, which instantly caught his eye, featured audiovisual production skills, such as photography, videography, lighting, audio and imagery design. Newland found this adventure to be both thrilling and fulfilling.

With support from CitiFoundation and the Australian High Commission to Jamaica’s Direct Aid Programme (DAP), the course, which began in 2014, was so successful that it became a staple in 2015.

A Portmore resident who attended Innswood and Kingston Technical high schools, Newland was among the 75 participants trained under the YUTE Lens Support Programme. He interned at the multimedia production firm eMedia Interactive, which served as The MYF’s partner organisation responsible for designing and implementing the programme. Displaying talent, passion, dedication and determination, Newland became one of three interns who were offered full-time employment by the firm. He worked there until 2018 when he moved on to freelance work.

Over the next two years, the expansion of his technical skills saw him adding graphic design to his portfolio. By 2020, he was already launching his very own business.

Having survived the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, this proud graduate continued to develop his business and currently has ten freelancers he can call on for projects. Those jobs include photography, videography, graphic art, and social media projects for customers such as advertising agencies, corporate clients needing work across Jamaica, and those having weddings and other special events.

With goals to assist in guiding his mentee over a minimum of one year, Newland says this is particularly meaningful for him because he has, “received such invaluable guidance from many of my employers as well as co-workers during my career.”

In addition to the mentorship, this entrepreneur is working on strengthening the structure of his business, with the help of a friend and partner overseas, and hopes to launch his official website in 2024.