Isles YouthBuild Institute (IYI) is proud to partner with the Bank of America Charitable Foundation under the YouthBuild USA Green Initiative.  In 2010, Bank of America awarded $500,000 to YouthBuild USA to expand career training programs in the green construction field to be distributed to five local YouthBuild programs across the country.  After a competitive grant process, IYI received $40,000 to provide students at their Trenton facility with the training needed to access careers in green industries.

IYI is one of 273 YouthBuild USA locations throughout the country.  IYI is an alternative school and training center for individuals, ages 16 to 24, who have struggled in conventional school settings and/or dropped out.  At IYI, students earn a high school diploma; gain skills in construction, computer technology, and office administration; work on rehabilitating homes in Trenton; and learn life skills and leadership.  IYI also provides counseling in career choice, job search, and applications for higher education.

IYI’s partnership with Bank of America provides the funding to equip students with the job training they need to succeed in today’s green economy.  Isles President and founder, Marty Johnson, says, “Integrating green practices into the construction curriculum and other IYI programming is, and will continue to be, a crucial initiative at IYI.  Bank of America values the importance of job training and education – we are proud to count them among our partners.”

“The IYI team constantly challenge themselves to maximize the potential of their students, and by embracing the study of green practices they will help create additional career opportunities down the road,” said Robert H. Doherty, Bank of America New Jersey president.

Bank of America is a longtime partner of Isles, providing more than $850,000 in financial support over the past decade for affordable housing development, community planning, job training, financial literacy training and small business development.  In 2008, Isles was selected as a Neighborhood Builder® through the bank’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative®, which recognizes, nurtures, and rewards nonprofits, local heroes and student leaders working to improve their communities.  Neighborhood Builders receive $200,000 in general operating support and participate in specially-designed leadership development programs.

For more information about Isles YouthBuild Institute’s partnership with Bank of America, please contact Yuki Moore Laurenti at 609-341-4721 or ylaurenti@isles.org.

To watch an overview of IYI, please click here.

More information is also available here.

The deadline for applications is August 16, 2011. Applications are available online here.

For additional information, please call Tanika Jones at 609-341-4751 or visit the Isles YouthBuild Institute at 33 Tucker Street to pick up application materials.

The renowned pop-folk artist performed a benefit concert for the Trenton-based non-profit organization at the Nassau Presbyterian Church in downtown Princeton on September 8th. Over 450 attendees braved the snow to join the organization in the first of many events commemorating Isles’ 30th Anniversary throughout 2011.

“The concert was the perfect way for us to start our year,” said Isles’ founder and President, Marty Johnson. “Not only did we have a chance to connect with old friends, but we were also able to introduce ourselves to Dar’s fans. Many of them weren’t familiar with Isles and the work we are doing. We hope that some of those new faces take the time to learn more about us and attend the other functions we’ll be hosting over the course of our 30th Year Celebration.”

Isles’ next event will be their 30th Anniversary Gala, scheduled to be held at the Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard on April 30, 2011 at 5pm. Please contact Corey Hribar [609.341.4726] for further information about the event.

Photos from the concert:

450 friends at Dar Williams Concert. Photo Credit: Mimi Mead-Hagen

Dar Williams. Photo Credit: Joanne Nanna

Dar Williams and accompanist. Photo credit: Joanne Nanna

Dar Williams. Photo Credit: Mimi Mead-Hagen

from l to r: Elizabeth Johnson, Isles COO; Dar Williams; Marty Johnson, Isles CEO; Jeremy Johnson: Photo Credit: Joanne Nanna

In 2003, basketball star LeBron James visited Isles for the Prime Time Shootout. He was a senior at St. Vincent-St. Mary High school and this was his first game back after a suspension for accepting basketball jerseys from a store. The following “LeBron Visits YouthBuild” video highlights his visit to Isles, during which he spoke to Isles’ YouthBuild students about overcoming adversity.