Keystone Central Foundation: Opening doors to opportunity for rural youth in Pennsylvania

The issue

In the rural Keystone Central School District (KCSD) in north-central Pennsylvania, over half of all students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and nearly 40% of single-mother households live below the poverty line. 

While graduation rates are high, fewer than half of students go on to college or career training. Many are first-generation college hopefuls with little or no family support.

Without targeted help, these young people are at risk of becoming part of a cycle of poverty that limits personal opportunity and community progress.

The Keystone Scholars: Pathways to Prosperity programme is changing that trajectory by offering mentorship, academic support, and leadership development. Helping young people envision and pursue a future of stability, success, and contribution.

Keystone Central Foundation

The Keystone Central Foundation is a local education-focused nonprofit supporting students across the KCSD. Its signature initiative, Keystone Scholars, identifies students who show potential but lack the support systems to thrive. The Foundation works closely with schools, families, and local employers to create pathways to prosperity that benefit entire communities.

Find out more at: keystonecentralfoundation.org

The project

With a grant of £81,354 over three years, Croda Foundation is supporting Keystone Central Foundation to:

• Support up to 45 students enrolled directly in the Keystone Scholars programme
• Guide 133 students toward post-secondary education or career paths
• Deliver dual-enrolment classes and summer experiences for 20 students
• Engage 550 additional students in career and college readiness activities
• Each student’s journey is tailored through personalised development, goal-setting, and interest-based exploration. Students take part in early career training, Myers-Briggs personality work, field trips, and guest speaker sessions.

They are encouraged to take part in “Summer Experiences,” such as job shadowing, internships or early college courses; building confidence and creating momentum for their futures.

Croda employees at nearby Mill Hall and Lamar sites will volunteer as mentors a powerful example of our local impact.

Impact

• 748 students supported in total
• 133 students guided into post-secondary education or employment
• 550 students reached through readiness activities
• 100% retention rate in previous Keystone Scholar cohorts
• 60% of students in past cohorts enrolled in four-year degrees
• 20% enrolled in two-year or certification programmes
• 20% entered the workforce directly after graduation