Boise, ID — June 19, 2026 —KeyBank has awarded a $20,000 grant to Breaking Chains Academy of Development (BCAD) to support the Canyon County Youth Empowerment (CCYE) Project, an initiative providing education, workforce training, mentoring, and wraparound services to at-risk youth ages 16–18.
The CCYE Project serves approximately 100 youth annually across Canyon County and surrounding communities. Participants often face significant challenges, including school disengagement, housing instability, justice system involvement, and the effects of trauma. Through a relationship-centered, trauma-informed approach, the program helps students reengage in education, earn their GED or high school equivalency, and build pathways to employment or continued learning.
“KeyBank is committed to investing in organizations that strengthen our community and create lasting opportunity,” said Scott Schlange, Idaho market president for KeyBank. “Breaking Chains is doing critical work to support young people at a pivotal time in their lives. This grant will help expand access to education, workforce development, and essential services that empower youth to achieve long-term success.”
The program combines individualized GED/HSE instruction with job readiness training, mentoring, and essential support such as meals, transportation, hygiene resources, and referrals to mental health services. These comprehensive services remove barriers that often prevent youth from completing their education and achieving stability.
Each year, the program is expected to help approximately 60 students earn their GED or equivalency, with the majority transitioning into employment, workforce training programs, or postsecondary education. By equipping youth with skills and support, the CCYE Project helps reduce recidivism, strengthen the local workforce, and promote safer, more resilient communities.
“This support from KeyBank is an investment in the potential of the young people we serve,” said Luis Granados, executive director for BCAD. “It allows us to continue providing the education, mentorship, and critical resources our students need to overcome obstacles and build independent, successful futures.”
About Breaking Chains Breaking Chains Academy of Development (BCAD) is a 501(c)(3) community-based nonprofit organization founded in 2016 and dedicated to helping at-risk youth ages 14–18 break cycles of violence, crime, and gang involvement. Serving Canyon County, Idaho and surrounding communities, BCAD equips young people with the education, workforce skills, mentorship, and support necessary to build safe, stable, and successful futures. Through its three core pillars, education services, workforce development, and mentoring. BCAD provides youth with the tools needed to overcome challenges and transition confidently into adulthood. The organization also offers wrap-around services, including daily meals, transportation assistance, clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and access to essential resources that remove barriers to success. By combining prevention, intervention, and long-term support, Breaking Chains Academy creates pathways to opportunity, empowers youth to reach their full potential, and strengthens communities by breaking the cycle of violence and creating lasting positive change.
About KeyCorp KeyCorp's roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2026. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately 1,100 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

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