Dear Friend,
We hope this message finds you safe and healthy. Despite the COVID uncertainties disrupting our expectations around getting "back to normal," Isles continues to find ways to move our work forward in this new environment. We have much to celebrate this summer.
First, our lead poisoning prevention work reached a critical milestone that will forever impact the communities we serve. On July 22, Governor Murphy signed legislative bill S1147/A1372, closing a loophole in lead testing and ensuring that families with young children know their home is lead-safe before they move in. Read more about this legislation and watch highlights from the outdoor press event below.
We also hosted the Isles Youth Institute Commencement at the Social Profit Center at Mill One, where our graduates celebrated their achievements among staff, family and community partners. This event was held both in-person (with limited invitations to allow for physical distancing) and online, where folks could stream the event live. See video below.
We then continued to expand our Isles Youth Services by launching our (hybrid virtual and in-person) Love, Peace & Joy Summer Enrichment Program, where youth participate in workshops focusing on emotional intelligence, mental health, and self-esteem through music, poetry, and fitness.
The summer heat isn't stopping our Urban Ag team as we extended summer gardening hours, and installed parklets (mini “parks” that transforms a parking space into vibrant, useable public space) outside of local businesses to promote safe, outdoor gatherings. See the "Isles in the News" section below to read more about that project.
In community,
Jacquelin Giacobbe
Director of Communications and Grants Management