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Danelly DeLeon, a Trenton native and full-spectrum doula, stands beside a GOTrenton! vehicle used through the NJMIHIA Rides program, which provides free transportation for pregnant and postpartum women and perinatal workers in Trenton.

For Trenton Moms, a Ride Means Peace of Mind



When Danelly DeLeon sits down with a new client, she wants to talk about birth plans, prenatal care, and the emotional landscape of pregnancy. She would prefer to use the appointment time to focus on care needs rather than arranging how the client will get to their next checkup.

"I didn't become a doula to help people find rides," said DeLeon, a full-spectrum doula and a Trenton native who provides bilingual support in English and Spanish across the tri-state area. "So the fact that now they have rides, that's excellent. Now we can get to the real serious work."

That shift started in late 2025, when DeLeon began using NJMIHIA Rides, the partnership between Isles' GOTrenton! service and the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority. The program provides free, unlimited zero-emission transportation for pregnant and postpartum women, community health workers, doulas, and other members of the perinatal workforce anywhere in Trenton during GOTrenton!'s regular service hours. Riders can use the service for medical care and governmental services including training and educational services as well as workforce, social and financial assistance services.

For DeLeon's clients, it has closed a gap that used to swallow whole appointments.

"Many of my clients in Trenton struggled with transportation. It was just unreliable," she said. "A lot of moms already go to their medical appointments feeling overwhelmed. Now, with the free rides program, they can stay consistent in their care. They're not missing appointments anymore."

Ask DeLeon what the program means to the mothers she serves, and she keeps coming back to two ideas. "Peace of mind," she said. "And focus. If you can't get to an appointment in the very first stages of pregnancy, that's already overwhelming, and you're already stressed. This program genuinely gives moms peace of mind that they're not going to miss their appointments, they're going to meet their providers, they're going to be on top of their game."

The ripple effects reach whole households. Partners no longer have to leave work to drive to appointments, which protects the family's income at one of its most financially stretched moments.

"When moms are empowered, communities are empowered," DeLeon said. "People are showing up for themselves and caring for themselves. It's really impacting not just individual families, but Trenton as a whole."

NJMIHIA Rides is facilitated by the Isles Johnson Center for Learning & Policy. Eligible participants can obtain a ride code from their healthcare provider or social services agency, download the GOTrenton! app, and book rides as needed.

For more information or to request a ride code, email info@njmihia.gov. For questions about GOTrenton! service, contact gotrenton@isles.org.

Isles Youth Institute Marks Earth Day with Solar Training Showcase

This Earth Day, Isles Youth Institute (IYI) and our partner STEP-UP Solar welcomed New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Commissioners Emma Rebhorn and Joseph Coviello, along with officials from the Department of Environmental Protection, to the Tucker Street Community Garden. Commissioners watched students practice hands-on solar installation, met with instructors, and toured the garden, where students are installing a solar system to power tools and equipment on-site.

Delivered with STEP-UP Solar, the program gives students 40 hours of industry-driven training in residential and commercial solar installation. IYI is one of just 17 YouthBuild programs nationwide selected for the YouthBuild Global Solar Jobs Pathway Initiative, connecting Trenton youth to credentials and clean energy careers.



"Our young people are gaining real skills, real credentials, and real confidence," said Chantea Hobson, Director of Isles Youth Institute. "Seeing that work recognized by state leaders reinforces how important these pathways are for Trenton's youth."

Cooler Streets, Cleaner Air: New Trees Take Root in Trenton



This Arbor Day, Isles CEO Sean Jackson was joined by New Jersey Future and Mayor Reed Gusciora to plant 30 trees in Trenton at Mill Hill Park and War Memorial. The Mayor shared an Arbor Resolution with the group before grabbing a shovel to help prep a hole for one of our trees.

We also had an incredible group of volunteers from the TCNJ Bonner Institute Community Scholars program out earlier in the day, lending their hands to help our Urban Agriculture team make it all happen.

Why does this matter? Cities like Trenton run up to 10 degrees hotter than surrounding areas due to concrete and buildings. More trees mean lower temps and cleaner air for our neighbors.

Thanks to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation initiative inspired by Jay Watson, today's planting put us at over 850 trees toward a goal of 1,000. We're almost there!

Isles at AMCHP: Connecting Environmental Health and Birth Equity



We're proud to share that Isles Senior Advisor Elyse Pivnick represented our organization at the annual American Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) conference in Washington, D.C.

Elyse joined co-presenters Laura Tilghman, Associate Director from NJ Family Health Initiatives, and Eric Bind, Project Manager of the NJ DOH Biomonitoring Project, for a timely and important conversation on Connecting Environmental Health and Birth Equity, examining the impact of lead exposure during and after pregnancy, including its effects on newborns.

The session was also an opportunity to introduce a wider national audience to The Cooperative's new Protect. Prevent. Nurture. campaign, an initiative focused on safeguarding the health of pregnant people and their babies from the risks of environmental toxins.



The connections between where we live and how we birth and raise healthy children are real, and the work to address them is urgent. We're grateful to be part of this national conversation.

Save the date! Cities for the Future: Fall Forum 2026 is coming October 14!

Join Isles and the Johnson Center for Learning & Policy for a day of big conversations on civil responsibility, approaches to the wealth gap, and smart sustainable redevelopment.

Social Profit Center at Mill One, Hamilton Township, NJ |

Online option also available.

Rain Barrel Workshop

Isles is hosting a free Rain Barrel Workshop where participants will learn how to build and use a complete rainwater collection system using 55-gallon food-grade barrels donated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Facilitated by Nicole Russo, the hands-on workshop will cover everything from basic setup and installation to water conservation techniques and sustainable urban gardening practices. Attendees will leave with practical knowledge they can use at home to reduce water waste, support healthier gardens, and a FREE Rain Barrel. The workshop is free and open to the public and will take place June 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tucker Street Garden in Trenton. To RSVP or learn more, contact UrbanAg@isles.org.

Build Skills, Find Work: SNAP STEPS Career Services

Isles’ SNAP STEPS program helps participants move toward employment with personalized coaching, training funds, and practical job-readiness support. Services include résumé development, interview preparation, career exploration, and connections to job training opportunities that can lead to advancement or an entirely new career path. Participants receive one-on-one guidance tailored to their goals, along with support navigating today’s job market with confidence.

Whether you’re searching for your first job, aiming for a promotion, or ready to learn new skills, SNAP STEPS provides the resources to take the next step. Contact Isles at foc@isles.org or 609-341-4787 to learn more and find out if you’re eligible.

GOTrenton! Goes Regional



GOTrenton!, one of the nation's only all-electric, curb-to-curb rideshare programs, is expanding beyond the city. Starting May 15, the service will extend into Eastern Ewing and Western Hamilton, giving thousands more Mercer County residents access to clean, affordable, on-demand transit.

To meet rising demand, we're doubling the fleet from 8 to 16 vehicles, adding 6 new electric sedans and 2 new electric vans. The expansion is made possible through new funding and partnerships with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and Mercer County.

The growth builds on a service Trentonians have embraced from day one. In just over two years, GOTrenton! has provided more than 115,000 rides and now serves 5,000 passengers a month. Along the way, the all-electric fleet has saved 11,000 gallons of gas and kept 98 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere. Drivers, who earn living wages, average a 4.81 out of 5-star rating from riders, and the expansion will create up to 16 additional jobs for Trenton-area residents.

Affordability stays front and center. Rides within Trenton remain $2, and rides starting at one of our six essential services locations (the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, WIC, The Rescue Mission, Mercer One Stop, Medina Health Clinic, and Children's Home Society) are free. Rides to or from the new Ewing and Hamilton zones will be just $4.

"We are thrilled to bring clean, reliable, and affordable transit to a larger portion of Mercer County," said Kep Short, Director of GOTrenton!. "By doubling our fleet size and expanding our footprint, we are not just moving people, we are expanding opportunities for work, health, and connection."

Riders can hail a ride through the Ride Circuit app or at any of our kiosks. Learn more, see the new service map, or download the app at gotrenton.org.