Fostering self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities.
February 2021
Dear Friend,

As a community development and environmental nonprofit, Isles focuses on both self-reliant people and healthy, sustainable places. That’s why we provide youth with education options, offer first time homebuyer workshops, as well as clean up homes to prevent childhood lead poisoning, build gardens, create green spaces, and so much more.
 
Today, as we ramp up efforts to tackle the existential threat of climate change, we must ensure that our urban areas are included as part of the solution. All too often, places like Trenton are left out of the conversation around electric vehicles, solar panels, or the green job economy. But cities will be the key to a sustainable future, and now is the time to invest in their success.
 
Isles’ decades of on-the-ground experience have prepared us well for this moment. To date, we have weatherized more than 1,000 homes, made nearly 500 lead-safe, and trained more than 3,800 adults in energy and environmental focused careers. We’ve taken what we learned through this experience and advocated for smarter, safer policies to ensure the health and sustainability of our communities.
 
To that end, I’m pleased to share exciting news! First, as you can read about in more detail below, Isles received funding in partnership with the City of Trenton to launch an electric vehicle transportation pilot! This pilot, which will include a carshare, rideshare, and shuttle service, will increase residents’ mobility and access to jobs, healthcare, and new opportunities while addressing public health challenges imposed by greenhouse gases and air pollution.
 
In addition, Isles has been invited to join the NJ Council on the Green Economy, where we’ll leverage our experience connecting those who have been left out of this economy in places like Trenton to future-focused green jobs. We look forward to continuing to develop economic and environmentally just solutions for places that need them the most.
 
So as you can see, February has been a busy month for Isles! We’re excited about the possibilities the future holds.
 
Thanks for being here for us – your support really matters.
 
In community,

Chief Executive Officer
Isles and City of Trenton to Launch Electric Vehicle Pilot
Isles and the City of Trenton have received funding from NJ DEP to pilot an electric vehicle program to improve transportation and public health in Trenton. This EV Pilot will expand resident mobility and increase access to jobs, healthcare, and new opportunities while addressing public health challenges imposed by greenhouse gases and air pollution. Launching in phases, the pilot will include an EV carshare, rideshare, and shuttle service system for residents, plus the installation of charging stations across the city.

In developing this project, Isles collaborated with organizations including ChargEVC, New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition, Environment New Jersey, and Rocky Mountain Institute. Isles' Clean Energy Advocate Kate Miguel shares, “Many community organizations throughout the city struggle with extending their social, health, and financial services to residents due to lack of affordable and reliable transportation options. Our goal is to close that gap and build wealth and health in the city.”

Read the full press release here.
Isles' CEO Sean Jackson gifting Gov. Murphy a jar of our award-wining honey.
Earlier this month, Mill One hosted a press event, where Gov. Murphy announced two new programs to support the redevelopment of brownfield sites in New Jersey. Isles’ CEO Sean Jackson spoke about the Social Profit Center as a model of sustainable redevelopment in the community. Watch the full event here.
Mike Thomas with CEET Training Manager Andre Thomas in 2019
Mike Thomas, friend of Isles and cousin of longtime staffer Andre Thomas, passed away last month. Read Andre’s reflection on Mike’s journey though Isles' Center for Energy and Environmental Training and how it inspired him to create opportunities for IYI students. 
It's official: Isles STILL has the best tasting honey in New Jersey! We are proud to announce that our honey has won first place again at the NJ Beekeeper's Association annual Honey Show in the Black Box category—which consists of a blind taste test for different qualities. View this article to read more about the benefits of urban agriculture.
We are so grateful that the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs chose to support Isles Youth Institute for their 13th Annual Service Auction held virtually on February 5th! Thank you to all who attended and made the event a success—your support is critical to our work to help IYI students meet their educational and career goals.