islesWorks - June Edition

Fostering self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities.

June 2019

Dear Friend,

The coming month is an exciting time at Isles Youth Institute. For many of our students and their families, they are realizing a dream that seemed unattainable. The commencement ceremony is a time for loved ones to celebrate students’ monumental accomplishments. Many of our students have faced unimaginable barriers; however, due to their resilience, determination and focus, they persevered.

During the summer, our students and alumni work! We continue to collaborate with The Morven Museum of Princeton and a host of local business to provide students with internship opportunities. Students use their leadership and career readiness skills to navigate, for many, what will be their very first work experience.

In addition, to prevent knowledge and skills loss over the summer, we have created a space for students to focus on academics for at least an hour every day. This approach to summer engagement has proven extremely successful for all students.

At IYI, we help young people realize their "dreams deferred" and build leaders who are equipped to fight against social injustices. To that end, we’re excited to update you on our Leadership Academy’s new partnership with the New Jersey Social Justice Institute. Read about it below, and let us know what you think.

Have an amazing summer!

In community,

Shenette Gray

Managing Director, Isles Youth Institute

Student Leadership at IYI

Recently, Isles Youth Institute launched Trenton’s first Youth Council in partnership with the New Jersey Social Justice Institute (NJSJI). The Youth Council works on issues of social justice that affect young adults, with a goal to bring healing, resilience, and restorative justice practices to Trenton and the state. Students meet bi-monthly with NJSJI and community leaders to learn how to become advocates and in turn, educate community leaders and others on issues that affect them.

Currently, the Youth Council is working with NJSJI to promote alternative solutions to youth detention centers, including mental health services, housing programs, mentoring, and other resources to help youth turn their lives around. As IYI student Naptali Adams says, “I like the work NJSJI is doing for the communities and how they are taking youth prisons out of communities and using that same money to help us get the resources we need.”

Students supported the NJSJI Rally for Youth Justice Reform earlier this month, and are connecting with youth councils in Newark and Camden to grow with impact. They continue to look for opportunities to attend community meetings, participate on panels, and advocate for the Trenton they wish to see.

Isles Youth Institute Commencement

The 2019 Isles Youth Institute Commencement Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the Mercer County Park Marina and Boathouse in West Windsor, NJ. It will include an awards ceremony and student speeches, a talk from Princeton Councilman Dwaine Williamson, and a reception to follow.

If you are interested in attending, please contact [email protected].

West End Little League Field Clean Up

IYI students partnered with members of the Thunder Thunder crew, the City of Trenton and various other organizations to renovate the West End Little League field. The event was presented by the Thunder F.I.E.L.D program which supports youth baseball in surrounding neighborhoods.

View more photos from the event here.