Media
Articles & Stories
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Reaching Tenants: Isles Brings Healthy Homes Training to Public Housing
When Keya Baker started working as a housing manager at Trenton Housing Authority three years ago, she noticed something. The communication between management and residents wasn’t working. “I was able to see some of the things that are missing in regards to effective communication between management and our residents and community,” Baker said. “And so I wanted to create something that created an open dialogue of us explaining things. But in a friendlier atmosphere. In a more supportive atmosphere.”
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Determined Trenton Mom Finds Her Path Forward
Tykira Evans had gone to dental assistant school, earned her credentials, and started looking for work. But despite her training, she couldn’t land a job in the field. “I couldn’t find a job,” the 23-year-old Trenton resident said. “Like, at all.” So she did what a lot of people do when their career plans stall — she found work that paid the bills. In her case, that meant delivering packages for Amazon. It was income, but it wasn’t the healthcare career she’d trained for. And the path forward seemed financially impossible. “I was tired of going to school and wasn’t…
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From Client to Partner: Venice’s Full-Circle Partnership
This February marks a milestone worth celebrating: Peace of Mind Construction Group turns five years old. Most businesses don’t make it this far, and for the owner, Venice Lluen, it’s a milestone she’s earned. Venice is 32 years old, born and raised in West Trenton. She launched Peace of Mind Construction Group in 2021, drawing on a background in real estate sales, property management, and investment. She’d been buying, renovating, and flipping properties, and kept running into the same problem. “I quickly noticed that as a woman in the industry, in a lot of cases, I was being taken advantage…
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Genevieve Grant’s Story: A Home Transformed with Care
Genevieve Grant first connected with Isles through Elena, a member of our First-Time Homebuyers program. She was living in a home on Miller Street when a lead assessment revealed the presence of lead paint. Concerned for the safety of her grandchildren, who often visited, she was determined to create a healthier environment. During her journey with Isles, she learned something that deeply surprised her, lead has a sweet taste. It was a revelation that underscored the hidden dangers lurking in her home.
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Building Trust, One Block at a Time: Inside the Isles Trenton Community Street Team
On any given school day, you’ll find members of the Isles Trenton Community Street Team standing outside Trenton Central High School, 9th Grade Academy, Capital City High School, and Isles Youth Institute. They’re not crossing guards. They’re not police officers. They’re something different entirely. They’re a presence, a safe space, the first face students see arriving at school and the last face they see when they leave. The results speak for themselves. Since the Street Team began their safe passage work in 2022, these schools have seen an astounding 96% drop in violence.