Report to the Community & 2023 Annual Report
Adero Riser Cobb
President/CEO
Tiffany Kong
Chair, Board of Directors
Tiffany Kong
Chair, Board of Directors
Keystone’s Basic Needs Program provides food support and crisis assistance to help individuals and families with low incomes be more self-sufficient, stable and successful.
Keystone is the largest provider of food shelf services in the Twin Cities East Metro area, serving St. Paul and northern suburbs of Ramsey County. As of January 2024, food shelf services are delivered out of the Keystone Community Food Center.
Resource Navigators connect participants with needed community resources, including public benefits and one-time financial assistance.
Our Foodmobiles are food shelves on wheels that travel throughout Ramsey County to distribute food at community-based locations – community centers, libraries, health clinics, housing communities, etc. – more than 25 times each month.
The Grocery Delivery Program delivers food shelf items to the doorsteps of seniors and people with disabilities. Community food distribution events provide fresh produce in an anonymous, drive-through service model.
In 2023, we focused on supporting
community members in ways that are accessible and dignified, breaking down
barriers to food access. After receiving
many requests for grocery delivery from seniors living in the same apartment
complex, we strategically added a Foodmobile stop there, which allowed us to
serve many more at the same location. In order to ensure that delivery services
reach those most in need, we revised our eligibility and screening criteria in
collaboration with Keystone’s case management team and community partners like
Metro Mobility.
In order to best serve those with limited English
skills, we hired Spanish- and Karen-speaking staff for our food shelf locations
and translated signs into multiple languages. We also increased our food purchasing budget by 40% in response to
increased demand.
via Keystone’s food shelves, Foodmobile and Grocery Delivery Program provided food support to 41,692 unique neighbors.
received financial assistance and referrals to resources for stability and success. $66,377 in crisis funds were distributed to support families during emergencies.
received fresh fruits and vegetables at Keystone’s Free Farmer’s Market events. Through the 14 events Keystone offered in 2023, we distributed 156,044 pounds of free produce.
As youth continue to
make up for years of distance learning and lack of socialization, enriching
after-school and summer programming helps them stay engaged in their learning
and grow alongside other students. Keystone's youth programs give BIPOC youth
and students from families with limited income experiences that help close the
opportunity gap.
We provide youth with individual attention from tutors and
caring mentors, tailored learning opportunities and access to programs that
provide enriching experiences. We provide teens with job opportunities that
allow them to continue developing interpersonal skills as they grow older, and
set them up with tools to succeed as they continue in the workforce.
Keystone's youth programs help youth develop skills to succeed in school and in the community through unique after-school programs and early employment experiences.
At this after-school center, teens work on creative, technology-rich projects and learn valuable skills from adult mentors. Keystone is proud to have a Best Buy Teen Tech Center and be a member of the Clubhouse Network, a collaboration with the MIT Media Lab.
Serving youth in grades K–10, Community Kids offers year-round daily academic and youth development experiences, which promote school achievement and social-emotional learning. Community Kids is a 21st Century Community Learning Center and an accredited after-school program.
Youth in grades K–8 receive year-round tutoring and enrichment opportunities though our Teen Tutor Program. Teen employees lead this program in their first work experience under intensive training and supervision by skilled Keystone staff.
Keystone offers unique opportunities for young people to acquire job experience and learn skills that prepare them for the workforce. Express Bike Shop, a social enterprise of Keystone Community Services, is a full-service bike shop and learning lab for teens. Teens also work at Keystone program sites and with community partners.
Keystone’s Teen Tutor Program
expanded this year to support middle school students in addition to grades K–5.
Additional art programming was also created to continue to encourage creative
development and bridge the opportunity gap for youth within our community.
Our
Youth and Family Support Specialist connected with families to ensure that all
family members are taking advantage of resources available for their individual
needs.
154 students in grades
K–10 supported and engaged.
43 students in grades
K–8 supported and engaged.
82 teens participated in Teen Tech Center programming.
64 teens were employed and trained, gaining work-readiness knowledge and skills.
Keystone's senior services help adults 55+ age with dignity, connection, health and independence as valued members of the community.
These programs are designed to help older adults reach their goals of remaining independent and living at home. Keystone provides Meals on Wheels and coordinates services to support the health and well-being of older adults.
Keystone provides a wide array of activities intended to support social connection and enhance quality of life. We offer fitness classes, wellness workshops, social activities, arts programming, crafting groups, history tours and more.
Case managers coordinate an array of services to help each client maintain health and self-sufficiency. Our case management services assist seniors and adults with disabilities through several home and community-based Medical Assistance waivers. Services are also provided to private-pay clients on a sliding fee scale.
477 older adults stayed connected to their community by participating in Keystone activities promoting recreation, health, education and social connection.
Connected 455 older adults to programs and services designed to support their wellness and independence.
259 seniors and adults with disabilities received healthy meals delivered by caring volunteers.
1,063 seniors and adults with disabilities were supported with services for independent living.
In our Linkages Program, we plan
to reach more older adults who access food support through Keystone. We will
connect them with additional supports based on their needs, such as SNAP, Metro
Mobility and Keystone's Active Senior Program.
With new funding available for
home-delivered meals, we will help more low-income seniors access Meals on
Wheels and other supportive services. Keystone is working to ensure that
seniors with limited English are represented, and that the programs we offer
are inclusive, responsive and welcoming to all.
2,076 volunteers gave 23,966 hours supporting Keystone’s participants and programs. That’s the equivalent of 11 full-time employees.
128,749 pounds of food shelf items were donated to provide nourishing support to neighbors in need. Thank you to everyone who contributed in-kind donations of food, school supplies, bikes and other items to support Keystone’s programs!
Keystone is in a capital campaign to support the new Keystone Community Food Center which has resulted in higher than usual cash reserves and liabilities as we raise funds and pay for expenses dedicated specifically for the new facility.
* Government contracts and grants
** Investment and miscellaneous, program service fees, food sales, tour sales
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