Harmful public policies implemented regionally or statewide have concentrated poverty in the inner city and encouragedthe flight of jobs and people to the far suburbs. In response Isles educates, organizes and involves faith and civic leaders across urban and suburban towns to create healthier lives for all.
Research trends: To help measure its own impact and inform its future planning, Isles began in 2000 to track socioeconomic trends. The data confirmed that poverty was increasingly concentrated in New Jersey cities as working families movedto close-in suburbs and white-collar workers to the exurbs.
Find regional solutions: To address the increasing disparities in access to good schools, jobs, homes and environments, Isles helped start a campaign to foster a more equitable central Jersey region; this organizing campaign developed into the statewide NJ Regional Coalition (NJregionalequity.org). In partnership with this coalition and on its own, Isles is seeking innovative ways to reduce sprawl, regional fragmentation, racial segregation, and concentrated poverty in central New Jersey.