Back in 1994, Isles was rehabilitating old, vacant single family homes scattered across Trenton. Families that wanted to own their first home purchased these efficient, low-cost houses that helped stabilize families and communities.  

But while we redeveloped homes, another challenge and opportunity arose: young people kept knocking on the door of our job sites, asking for work. Isles’ construction manager David Styner would hire and train the young people and found that even if they had solid construction skills, too often they lacked a high school diploma.  

At the time, (and even up until today), nearly 40% of all freshman in Trenton High failed to graduate on time.  As a result, Isles developed the Isles Youth Institute (IYI) to blend the academic, vocational, and life skills that many young people need and want to succeed.  As they learn, they redevelop homes and parks in their communities, multiplying IYI benefits.

Today, IYI offers a caring, ‘tough love’ alternative training school for nearly 100 young people annually. Students learn to be more than workers–they are leaders against violence in their communities, participants in community and environmental work, and many go on to higher education.  

Isles’ mission is to foster self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities.  IYI keeps us honest to that goal and grounded in bringing real opportunities to young high school kids that once chose to leave school.  

Marty

P.S. Check out our January e-newsletter highlighting Isles Youth Institute here.

As we head into the fall and into the depths of the election season (yikes!), I’m pleased to share this IslesWorks newsletter with you.  

We’re honored to be one of 77 organizations nationwide to recently receive a US Dept of Labor YouthBuild grant. Isles Youth Institute’s 21st class of students started this fall, giving us a chance to work with inspiring young people who, despite leaving high school, really want a high school diploma and much more.  

We also find creative ways to revitalize places in the region.  Even if they are temporary, some projects, like the parklet, show what is possible within the footprint of only one parking space in the city.  

Singer/songwriter Dar Williams helps us kick off a series of 35th anniversary events on October 29.  Dar is a kindred spirit and old friend, so we are really pleased she agreed to perform again for us.

Also, as part of our 35th year, we’ve reached out to 35 key people who have made a big impact on Isles over the years.  What a fun way to be reminded of all the strong shoulders we stand upon.

Finally, Amazon Smile offers a chance for you to make donations to Isles, just by buying stuff on Amazon.  Take a look at how you can help us for free!

Check out our fall enewsletter here. 

In community,
Marty

It’s a quick drive up the Route 1 corridor from Trenton to Princeton, but when it comes to life-expectancy rates, the two communities are worlds apart.

People born and residing around the Princeton Junction train station can expect to see their 87th birthday, while children about 10 miles away, just south of the Trenton Train Station, are likely to only reach their 73rd birthday, on average. This reality was demonstrated visually in a new map released this week by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) depicting  the life expectancy for residents in several zip codes across Mercer County.

Where we live affects our health and well-being far more than most realize. In each community, there are a number of contributing factors, including : access to quality education, well-paying jobs, nutritious foods, places for physical activity, quality healthcare, child care, and affordable safe housing.

The Trenton area offers a prime example of the health disparities that often exist between a largely affluent, suburban community and a generally low-income, urban area in geographic proximity.

Our best chance at closing the life expectancy gaps that this map identifies will come from a collaboration of all sectors—business, education, community organizations you name it—to help build a culture of health in Trenton.

At Isles, Inc., we are focused on fostering self-reliant families by providing GED, vocational and life skills education. We also provide healthy fresh produce through our support of over 700 gardeners at 70 community and school gardens, yielding tens of thousands of dollars worth of produce a year. Collaborating with funders, community groups, and public officials, we continue to plan and develop real estate projects, including affordable housing, open spaces, and community facilities, to promote a healthier lifestyle in the neighborhood.

A mere 10 miles should not add up to a 14-year difference in life expectancy. Our future, and the future of our children and their children depend on each of us doing our part to create a culture that is focused on equity in access to the key factors affecting the health and longevity of our families.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to helping people be as healthy as they can be. Each community must chart its own course. The health of a neighborhood is shaped by a web of factors, and everyone has a role to play—from residents to policymakers.

To view the Trenton/Greater Mercer County Life Expectancy Map visit societyhealth.vcu.edu/maps. Follow the discussion on Twitter at #CloseHealthGaps.

Dear Friends,

Should your zip code dictate your life expectancy? A recent study and map, created by Virginia Commonwealth University and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, exposes dramatic disparities even within the same county, like in NJ’s Mercer County. Life expectancy in Trenton’s 08619 area code is 73 years whereas 8 miles up the road in Princeton Junction, it’s 87 years.
 
Can we do anything about that? Of course. Isles develops innovative ways to make an impact by fostering both self reliance and healthy sustainable communities. 
 
But what’s making people sick? And is it personal behavior or the environment that drives theses disparities?
 
We believe the answer is both, and children are most at risk. One example is the presence of toxic lead in the environment in older neighborhoods. While the Flint debacle brings attention to a seemingly surprised nation, Isles has studied and worked to remove the persistent and toxic threat of lead for over a decade.
 
We’re confident that we can effectively remove the threat of lead to kids in the region within the next 20 years. 
 
By the way, the source of the toxin here in New Jersey, where 11 cities and towns have higher levels of lead in children than Flint, is dust, not water. If we address the dust problem, we can also reduce asthma. And if we can include the weatherization of homes at the same time, the benefits are even greater.
 
Finally, the heat of summer and the growing evidence of a warming planet remind us that we need climate-friendly, high-density cities to work. Otherwise, we are in deep trouble.
 
Isles is a ‘think and do’  tank that proves what’s possible. It is your support that makes this happen. For more info, check out our summer enewsletter here. 

Have a great summer.

In community,
Marty