Key’s supporting foundation, the Alternatives for Youth Foundation, Inc. (AYF), was created to provide financial support for activities and initiatives that align with Key’s mission.

For nearly 30 years, Key/AYF has had the great privilege of supporting hundreds of young adults and human service professionals as they have pursued their professional and educational goals.

AYF/Key is incredibly proud to sponsor the scholarship programs described below:

Youth Scholarships

William J. Wolfe (WJW) Scholarship 

The William J. Wolfe (WJW) Scholarship honors one of Key’s founders, whose commitment to social, educational, health, and human services spurred the Agency’s founding in the 1970s.

The WJW Scholarship supports young people who are not only current or former recipients of services from Key, but also of the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF) or the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, & Families (DCYF). This allows the program to reach and have a positive impact on a greater number of deserving young adults.

Eligibility Criteria:    

• Aged 25 years or younger
• Prior or ongoing receipt of services through Key or the state agencies described above
• Successful academic performance and demonstrated commitment to personal development
• Intention to pursue educational degree or vocational certification

Awards are granted by the AYF Board of Directors once per year each June. Application deadline is annually each April/May.

For information on how to apply for a WJW scholarship, see your high school guidance counselor, state agency social worker, or Key Clinician.

I am a past recipient of the WJW scholarship. I received the scholarship throughout my four years in undergraduate studies. Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t be where I am today. When I graduated from undergraduate studies, I was still able to apply for the WJW scholarship for graduate school. In May of 2022, I graduated with my master’s in public policy.

- Leah G.

Patricia DeDora-St. Germain (PSG) Memorial Scholarship 

The Patricia DeDora-St. Germain (PSG) Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of this former Key Program, Inc. employee. “Pat” worked in a variety of roles at Key, touching the lives of countless youth, families, and human service professionals through her advocacy, mentorship, and genuinely giving nature.  Sadly, she passed away in 2023 following a courageous battle with cancer. Pat had a great many interests, but her greatest passions were helping young people to succeed and cultivating the “next generation” of helping professionals. Pat lived most of her life in Pawtucket, RI and was active in numerous neighborhood and city-wide causes. 

The PSG Scholarship seeks to continue Pat’s goal of enhancing the field of helping professionals. Awards are granted annually to 3 graduating seniors of Pawtucket’s Charles E. Shea Senior High School, from which Pat graduated in 1984. Students must be pursuing education in a helping field such as social work, healthcare, law enforcement, first responder certification, or education).  

For information on how to apply for a PSG scholarship, see your guidance counselor at Charles E. Shea Senior High School

Employee Scholarship

Deborah Feldstein Bartfeld (DFB) Memorial Scholarship

AYF supports the continuing, graduate-level education of its staff through the Deborah Feldstein Bartfeld (DFB) Memorial Scholarship. "Deb" was committed to a career in social work, beginning as an intern with Key, before tragically losing her battle with cancer.

The program awards scholarships to current Key Program employees who are enrolled in a formal Master's of Social Work, Licensed Mental Health Counseling, or Counseling Psychology program and have shown a strong commitment to the field of social work or child welfare, particularly with multi-stressed youth and families.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current full- or part-time employment at Key
• Full- or part-time enrollment in a graduate-level Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Counseling Psychology program
• Satisfactory job performance at Key
• Desire to remain with Key in a clinical capacity

Potential awardees are selected by Key's Regional Directors and are provided with application materials directly.

Awards are granted by the AYF Board of Directors once per year each June.