The 20th Isles Youth Institute Commencement Ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at 10:30 AM at The Hibernian Club in Hamilton Square, NJ. Commencement included an awards ceremony, speeches from founder and CEO Marty Johnson, students, and keynote speaker Reverend Darrell Armstrong.  Families, teachers, friends, and other supporters attended.

The commencement ceremony represented a year’s worth of academic and job training for students at Isles Youth Institute (IYI), an alternative school that emphasizes leadership development and civic engagement for students who have dropped out of traditional high school. Students at IYI participate in afterschool activities and volunteer extensively in the community. Staff works with students to help them apply to college and pursue employment.

“You have to send yourself a message, that when the world sends you negative messages you have to counter those messages with positive messages,” said Reverend Armstrong, in his address to this year’s graduates. “When the world tells you no, you have to be able to tell yourself yes. When the world tells you that you can’t, you have to be able to tell yourself yes, I can. “

 “Once you have earned your diploma, it is only the first step. I have already completed the first step. My next step will be college and hopefully beyond,” says Anibal Croux, a 2015 graduate.

This year’s graduates have a lot to look forward to. Members of the class of 2015 plan to continue their studies in college, attend nursing school and pursue careers in construction and the military.

“The same thing that has gotten you through this experience has to be the same sense of being that will get you through the next level of experience,” Reverend Armstrong encouraged the new graduates.

“Our students have worked hard, overcome seemingly unsurmountable obstacles and have proven to be resilient young people,” notes Stacy Felder, Director of Isles Youth Institute. “We wish them well as they continue on their path to success. Onward and upward!”

On April 19, an inspiring leader and friend, Louise Rolling, passed away. How lucky we are to stand on the shoulders of such great people who make this work possible! We shared these words at her service on Tuesday:

Louise and James Rolling came by our office in 1990, under the guise of wanting to create a community garden on Dunham Street. What they really wanted however, was something far more audacious – the cleanup of the contaminated old Magic Marker building.

At first, we thought it would take too long –over 10 years – to accomplish that. How frustrating would it be for the civic group to spend that much time on such a complex process? Where would the millions of dollars come from? Louise and James were so thoughtful, so connected to their community, and so persistent, that we joined forces with them. And what an honor it was to work alongside them, and eventually, to succeed with them on many fronts.

Louise was the quiet, but fiercely determined half of the Rolling team. We will miss her dearly and we will always be grateful for her leadership, friendship, and love. 

created by Christie Jiang, Princeton Class of 2017

A Fork in the Road tells the stories of Andre, an Isles employee, and Lamar, a former IYI student, two Trenton residents who “got into some trouble” as young men. Having dealt with some of the same challenges growing up, Andre became a mentor for Lamar, and helped motivate him to make serious changes in his life.  

This short documentary was directed by Ava Rose Hoffman for The Trenton Project.The Trenton Project is a collaborative project produced by the students of Princeton University’s “Documentary Film and the City.” It is part of the Program in Urban Studies and supported by the Community-Based Learning Initiative, a university program which connects Princeton classes with partners in the community.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE:

A Fork in the Road tells the stories of Lamar and Andre, Trenton residents who “got into some trouble” as young men. Having dealt with some of the same challenges growing up, Andre becomes a mentor for Lamar and recruits him to join YouthBuild, a vocational training program for youth aged 16-24 coordinated by Trenton nonprofit, Isles.

Today’s Trenton is not the same city that Andre experienced as a young man, for better and for worse. As Andre puts it, “the neighborhood has changed…” yet “the stakes are much higher now” for young people who are making choices at a critical time in their lives. This film explores some of these choices and challenges facing young people in Trenton today. 

Under the positive influence of role models, Lamar and Andre cultivated the motivation to make serious changes in their lives and distinguish themselves from some of their peers, turning away from the streets and embarking on the road to self-development.

Calvin Thomas (Andre’s father) is a member of Isles’ Board of Trustees. This fall, he was interviewed by the students involved in The Trenton project about his memories and experiences growing up in Trenton

Trenton, N.J. – Isles, Inc., an award-winning community development nonprofit headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey, elected six new Trustees in December. Marty Johnson, President and CEO of Isles, said, “Isles’ Trustees bring skills, resources, and connections to our work. They represent those we serve, and leadership throughout the region. This just may be the strongest class yet!” New Trustees include:

Rachel Cogsville-Lattimer was born and raised in Trenton, NJ. She is an Investigator for Child Protection and Permanency for the State of New Jersey. Mrs. Cogsville-Lattimer is retired from State of VA Department of Corrections and was the third woman to be placed on Emergency Response Team at her former direct male prison. Mrs. Cogsville-Lattimer received her B.A in Sociology from Norfolk State University. She is the First Vice President of Trenton Council of Civic Associations (TCCA), member of the West Ward CPAC, and won the 2014 Citizen Legislator award from the Citizen Campaign.

Kathleen Fitzpatrick is the owner of Padgett Business Services, an accounting and tax firm serving small business. Prior to starting her own firm, Kathleen was an executive with Johnson & Johnson for over 25 years in Finance, Human Resources, and Project Management roles. Kathleen received a B.A. in Accounting from Rider University and her M.B.A. from Pace University. She is a CPA, Enrolled Agent and CGMA. Kathleen is serving as Isles’ Treasurer.

Ian P. Goldstein, business lawyer, specializes in providing strategic and transactional advice and guidance. He serves as an outside general counsel to business enterprises, investors, and entrepreneurs focused on innovation and technology. A partner at the national law firm Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Ian leads the firm’s emerging company and venture capital team. Ian received a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers College and a J.D. from The Rutgers School of Law.

Thomas J. Sullivan was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Symmetry Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRG) on December 5, 2014. Mr. Sullivan was CEO of Symmetry Medical Inc. from January 2011 until its sale and the spin-off of Symmetry Surgical Inc. He held numerous executive and functional leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico from 1990 until 2011. Mr. Sullivan graduated as a Palmer Scholar from The Wharton School in 1991 where he earned an MBA. He also holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Tracy Syphax is Founder and CEO of Capitol City Contracting, Inc., specializing in roofing, siding, windows and doors. He also founded the Phax Group, LLC., a real estate development company. Mr. Syphax is also a founding member and former Chairman of Father and Men United for a Better Trenton. He also serves as Co-Chair for The Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training (MOET), Trustee of Minding Our Business, and he is Co-Chair of Union Baptist Church Trustee Ministry.

Rolando Torres, Jr. is a private attorney in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. His practice focuses on employment law, advising both plaintiffs and management organizations, general practice of law, and serves as an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. He has held positions in both state government and the corporate sector in New Jersey. He served as Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Personnel and Director, of Civil Rights for the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety.

Retiring from the Board were: Frances Blanco, Henry Von Kohorn, Jacque Howard, Michael Dundas and Ann Marie Senior, our outgoing chairwoman.

READING SENIOR CENTER RENOVATION

Isles Youth Institute

Isles Youth Institute (IYI), the youth development initiative of Isles, was created in 1995 to combat Trenton’s high dropout and low employment rates by preparing at-risk youth for employment and higher education. By providing the tools for self-reliance in a non-traditional educational environment, IYI builds self-reliance and fosters positive change through education. 

IYI offers students various opportunities to engage in life skills training aimed at developing emotionally stable, well-rounded citizens. IYI’s goal is for all students to become valued members of their community. The objective is to increase student engagement with positive role models and in community development activities as measured by student participation in life skills, leadership, and community service training.

The Reading Senior Center

The Reading Senior Center is an historic building, previously an active train station, part of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad line.

 In 1977 it was designated as an historical landmark by the Trenton Landmark Commission for Historic Preservation. It was designed by Francis Kimball, a New York architect who also designed the Philadelphia Reading terminal. It was built in 1888.

Presently it houses an active senior community who use every available inch of the facility. It is however, showing much wear and tear and has not been upgraded since the 1960’s. The last addition to the space was a non structural set of walls that do not function adequately for present needs, including ADA compliance. Bathrooms have deteriorated from use over 50 years! The flooring has areas which are coming apart which present safety concerns.

We can look through the windows from our school on Tucker St and see the seniors sitting out on the back porch. There are weeds, garbage cans, inadequate chairs. The potential to improve this area and create a comfortable relaxing environment is great.

Project Description

Students at IYI learn and work to improve spaces within the community. Since this is the IYI neighborhood, the Senior Center is an appropriate project for student involvement on many levels. Renovations at the Senior Center are being designated as the winter and spring projects for the 2014-2015 school year.

Areas of focus for our students:

• Removing commercial wallpaper and interior painting.
• Minor demolition and replacement of studs and sheetrock.
• Cleaning and organizing activity areas.
• Developing outdoor patio area and landscaping.
• Areas of focus for contractors:
• Replacement of bathrooms for men and women.
• Replacement of flooring up to the dining hall.
• Adding closet doors to storage areas.
• Reconfiguring office areas with walls and doors.
• Adding moldings to specified foyer areas.

This project will offer students the opportunity to establish community connections, help plan and implement a community-based project, and participate in meaningful community service. It will also afford students the opportunity to interact with older community members who may become role models and mentors.

Volunteer Opportunities

Because this is such a large project, we will need help from volunteers and community leaders. There are many small organizational tasks and hands on projects, such a building bookshelves and setting up storage areas.

For more information and/or a tour, please contact:
Joanne Scofield
Art/Life Skills Teacher at IYI
609-341-4766
[email protected]

It will truly “take a village” to provide the seniors with the beautiful, comfortable, and functional space they deserve.

See more pictures of the project here.