January 2014

Islesworks in January
Energy Efficiency Key to Sustainability
Staff Spotlight
Isles in the news

  

 

Board of Trustees

 

Ann Marie Senior

Michele Minter 

Nora Brennan

Francis Blanco

Barbara Coe

Michael Dundas

Stuart Essig

Robert Harris

Jacque Howard

Sean Jackson

Oye Olukotun

Sa Mut Scott

Calvin Thomas

Henry Von Kohorn

 

Thanks for your

service to Isles!

 

   Like us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter

 

 


  

Fifty years ago this month, President Lyndon Johnson spoke of waging an "unconditional war on poverty."  This watershed moment has given rise to another kind of war - a war of pundits.  Some say we lost the war, so let's just end it already, while others cite progress made by government soldiers.  They want to double down on the battle.

 

What gets lost is an authentic debate about the lessons of these 50 years.  From Isles' perspective, neither the political left nor right has a lock on the truth.  We believe we are clearing a third path at Isles, one that meets basic human needs of all people, but always with an end goal of family self-reliance.  It is that focus on self-sufficiency that often gets lost in the culture of government and charity.

 

It is far easier to talk about this stuff than it is to do something about it.  At Isles, we have a toolbox full of self-help tools and information.  A key to self-reliance and healthy communities is in our homes.  For boundless reasons, they need to be safe and energy efficient.  How?   Isles E4 shows an innovative way that also strengthens our local economy.  Read about it in this issue.

 

Finally, many thanks to our friends and supporters who helped make 2013 a great year for Isles.  Your many types of gifts enable us to ask tough, independent questions and answer them, in support of a seemingly audacious mission. 

 

For a peaceful and prosperous 2014, and in community,

 

signatureMJ
Marty Johnson

Energy Efficiency Key to Sustainability 

 

 

As evidenced by this year's frigid "polar vortex" and consistently increasing summer temperatures in our region, it's more important than ever to make sure that your home is energy efficient and prepared to handle whatever extremes the weather dishes out. 

 

Isles E4 (Energy, Environment, Employment, and Equity) is a division of Isles that provides weatherization and healthy homes services to NJ homeowners.  Since 2009, E4 has provided energy services to more than 800 low-income families in Mercer County.  Now, E4 is bringing  high quality energy audits,  insulation, air sealing, and energy system replacements to NJ families through an innovative program offered by the State of NJ.  Home Performance with Energy Star,  a nationally acclaimed program available to most NJ homeowners, helps save up to 30% on energy bills.  The Home Performance with Energy Star program provides a mix of rebates, incentives, and zero interest loans to make home energy efficiency retrofits a cost-effective solution that pays for itself. 

 

The process is straightforward.  For a reasonable fee, our energy audit technician tests for the efficiency and safety of your home and then provides a report listing recommended measures, along with financial incentives available to pay for the work.  E4 helps you prepare the paperwork for your loans and incentives and then we can provide the work that is needed.

 

Through E4, Isles seeks to create decent wage jobs, provide homeowners with cost-effective solutions to energy efficiency and home health and comfort, while helping to improve the sustainability of energy resources.  Learn more about E4 and the NJ Clean Energy Program.

"I am overwhelmed with gratitude, and I rejoice that my heating system is up and running well!  What excellent team-work, great expertise, and wonderful commitment you have all given me!"
                                                                      
   ~Mrs. P.
Satisfied E4 Customer 

 

   

Staff Spotlight
Andre Thomas   
"I've learned so much from many outstanding professionals at Isles."
 

If ever a staff member embodied Isles' mission, Andre Thomas would be he.  Andre joined Isles in 2001 and has since played an integral role in growing several areas of Isles training and education services.  Having grown up with the streets of Trenton as his training ground, Andre found himself incarcerated at the age of 23, but used that time to reflect on the choices he made in the past and the positive changes he would make in the future.  Afterwards, Andre was fortunate that others took a chance and provided him with employment opportunities, which he in turn excelled at.  His reputation resulted in his recruitment into youth services with Trenton organizations, and ultimately at Isles YouthBuild Institute (IYI). 

 

Andre spent eight years at IYI helping to recruit students and motivate them with daily morning meetings.  The meetings served to inspire the students, but also was a way to hold them accountable for the actions they were taking towards achieving their goals.  Many former students still attribute their improved life situations to Andre's morning messages.  Indeed, Lamar Allen, who has been profiled in this newsletter, said that "the greatest impact came from the morning meetings we had with Mr. Andre Thomas. He spoke a lot of wisdom, gave advice and encouragement... to this day I still reflect on the things he said."

 

In 2009, Andre moved to new position at Isles' Center for Energy and Environmental Training (CEET) and played a key role in growing both the curriculum and the student enrollment.  His connection to the community provides an important path to recruitment for students at all stages of life.  CEET has helped thousands of unemployed or underemployed individuals to prepare for new careers and has provided the professional network to place them in well paying jobs.  Having acquired the certifications and credentials, Andre has personally instructed over 1,000 people and has been instrumental in helping them obtain employment.  Additionally, Andre conducts Healthy Homes and energy assessments through Isles E4 services, and educates families on healthy home principles.

 

"I relate on a very personal level with those trying to re-invent themselves, and it is so rewarding to see positive changes in people's lives and know that you've helped them achieve it."  ~Andre


 

Isles in the News!

 

 
  
Isles, Inc.
10 Wood Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08618
609-341-4700