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Greetings!
In The Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge has the good fortune to experience a realistic dream. Most of us don't have dreams that are quite that vivid, so we have to think about our future while we are awake.
In the midst of the world's craziness, I am reminded that life is really short, and we should plan now for how we want to be remembered. As we move into a new year, we are excited by the possibilities and humbled (and a bit unsettled) by the deep challenges that confront us and the communities where we live and work. What I am so grateful for though, is to wake in the morning and know that our day's work makes a real difference. Your support makes that possible. Thank you for being there and for considering a gift of self-reliance this holiday season.
We hope your dream and awake states bring meaning and happiness this holiday season!
Marty Johnson |
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Service Learning at Isles YouthBuild Institute
Isles YouthBuild Institute helps students develop their academic, vocational, and life skills. Life skills training includes character development, good citizenship, compassion and patience, integrity, and a strong sense of self. Isles' staff have the pleasure of seeing IYI students blossom into the remarkable young adults they are destined to be.
At IYI, life skills training is enriched by involving IYI students in service learning. Students develop character and other life skills by actively meeting the needs of the community. This work takes on many interesting forms, from visiting with the elderly, tutoring children, building community gardens or painting a community center. Over the past year, IYI students helped those whose lives were upended by Hurricane Sandy, painted murals in distressed neighborhoods, worked at a local Head Start Center, spent time with students with disabilities at Visitation Home, and tutored students at Hedgepeth Williams School. IYI students develop a strong sense of their abilities by serving others, and the community in Trenton is proud of the work these students do.
Hats off to IYI staff, Esther Brahmi and Stacy Heading, who plan and support our students in these important community-building efforts. |
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Isles Celebrates Peg Taplin's Legacy Gift
Peg and Frank Taplin were inspiring friends and longtime supporters. Their first gift in April of 2000 helped create an Isles endowment. Over 12 years, they donated 14 more gifts to support self-reliance and a healthy urban environment. In her will, Peg continued to support Isles through a generous and important bequest. Fittingly, the Isles Trustees placed this gift in the Isles endowment fund, strengthening the very core of the organization for the future. According to her family, Peg often spoke of her respect for Isles' approach and philosophy, and she enjoyed learning about innovation at the grass roots level.
These long-term gifts make a big impact on Isles. We hope Peg and Frank might inspire you to consider a similar bequest, by clicking here. |
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Happy Holidays from Isles YouthBuild Institute
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Isles, Inc. 10 Wood Street Trenton, New Jersey 08618 609-341-4700 |
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