Youth
We believe that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. That's why we've been connecting kids to brighter futures for more than 130 years
Supporting brighter futures for children has been part of our DNA since Milton ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç founded the Milton ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç School in 1909. We continue this legacy by investing in educational programs, nutrition and food security and social-emotional well-being efforts that help young people thrive. We’re guided by a vision to nourish children around the world and help create the caring and connected communities they deserve to live in.
The Heartwarming Project: Empowering Youth by Supporting Connection
The Heartwarming Project is designed to help kids and teens build critical social and emotional skills and celebrate the power of connection for wellbeing. Through The Heartwarming Project, ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç supports programs for children and teens that enhance their ability to create meaningful connections in their schools and communities, which in turn improves their mental wellbeing outcomes and ability to thrive in school, care and life.
Our Projects and Partners Include:
Milton ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç School Partnership: Investing in Education
Our focus on youth and education has been with us since 1909, when our founder established the Milton ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç School (MHS) for kids in need. Through top-notch academics, personal attention and character development, MHS provides all of its students, pre-K through 12th grade, the opportunity to succeed.
MHS is a place where high-potential disadvantaged students receive a life-changing opportunity of an excellent private education, thanks to our shared founder who created this early social enterprise. Milton ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç bequeathed his ownership of The ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç Company to Milton ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç School Trust (MHS Trust), with MHS as the sole beneficiary. The MHS Trust continues to be ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç’s largest shareholder and receives a substantial portion of the dividends we pay each year. This unique relationship means that ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç’s success directly benefits the school and more than 2,100 students.
Real World Business Experience
The ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç Honors Business Program enables MHS students to experience the business world firsthand. This five-month program involves students:
- Learning various business topics in classes taught by ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç employees
- Receiving mentoring and coaching from ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç team members
- Pitching their own business ideas in presentations that close out the course
Project Fellowship
Our Project Fellowship program connects MHS students with caring people across the wider community. Monthly activities bring together student homes — the places students live together while at school — with ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç employees and their families. Each year, more than 450 employees take part in this program.
This program fosters meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom, providing students with additional mentorship and support while creating opportunities for ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç employees to make a direct impact in students’ lives.
Internship Opportunities
ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç provides high school interns with valuable hands-on experience across multiple business functions. Our internships offer students:
- Exposure to various career paths within ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç
- Visits to manufacturing facilities and research and development centers
- Opportunities to work on real business challenges and present solutions to company leadership
- Professional development and networking with ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç employees
These experiences help students build their résumés, clarify career interests and develop the professional skills they’ll need after graduation.
Apprenticeship Program Growth
Our pre-apprenticeship program for MHS students gives participants the opportunity to learn about manufacturing operations and career options in this field. Students who participate can earn their Pennsylvania-recognized pre-apprenticeship certificates, giving them a valuable credential as they plan their educational and career paths.
Continuing Education Scholarships
We expanded support for the Dearden Foundation and The ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç Company Joint Scholarship for Continuing Education, which supports students in communities where we operate. This scholarship advances the legacy of William E. Dearden, one of MHS’s most beloved alumni who worked at both the school and The ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç Company before eventually becoming CEO in 1976.
Through these multifaceted programs, we’re honoring Milton ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç’s legacy while preparing the next generation of leaders with the education, skills and experiences they need to succeed.
Since our founding 130 years ago, ÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÉç has continued work to expand the education system in cocoa-farming communities in West Africa.
