Remember, Our Annual Virtual Forum Starts Next Week!

It’s time for the 2023 Isles Forum, a space where thought leaders and practitioners come together to discuss ways that we can work together to drive more wide-spread impact in the communities we serve. Justice is the connector as we strive to address the social, economic, and environmental needs of our communities over the course of 3 days.

• Day 1: Environmental Justice
• Day 2: Social Justice
• Day 3: Economic Justice

Community & Mental Health Support with TCST

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. During the month of May, organizations across America come together to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support the millions of people affected by mental illness. In March, Trenton Community Street Team (TCST) began a partnership with the Trenton Public Library to hold community mental health table-talks (on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for adults and the last Saturday of the month for Teens) with Corey Ingram, the Clinical Manager for TCST.

The Trenton Public Library serves as a resource hub for residents to receive a variety of needed support. Along with the increase in housing instability, many residents come into the library for a safe place to get cleaned up, use the internet for research, seek further assistance or resources, grab a bite to eat, or just have a minute indoors. TCST is among many agencies available in rotation at the library for community social support. The Mercer County Board of Social Services and Mercer County Mental Health Task Force are also among the agencies providing support and working with TCST referrals. 

Corey Ingram is a licensed substance abuse counselor expressing that through his work with TCST,“I hope to use my license and talent to shed light on the stigma in the Latin X and Black communities surrounding substance abuse & mental health”. When residents come in for the refreshments and table-talks, he’s able to provide them with on-site psychological evaluations to see if there are any emergency mental health situations. Based on their needs, Corey then provides them with referrals and walks them through the process of receiving more in depth support. Many of the residents who come into the library are experiencing housing instability, food insecurity, and financial hardships that infringe on their quality of life. Corey mentions that he sees higher levels of clinical stress than clinical depression in those who do attend table-talk sessions. He understands the hesitations and reservations in talking to him as a counselor, but stresses, “Try to talk about it, be upfront and honest. Don’t be embarrassed to talk about your struggles, we’re here to try and help you.” 

In addition to the table-talks, TCST also has a Special Victim’s Unit Care Management Program that provides a variety of support beyond mental health. They pre-screen victims of violence, acting not just as a referral service, but also reaching out directly to programs and providing follow up support to ensure that clients are receiving actionable assistance. In one instance, TCST’s care management successfully supported a young woman to leave a violent situation and secure permanent housing through Section 8. TCST provided toiletries and home essentials for her move-in process. She also received substance abuse counseling from Corey to increase the sustainability of her improved lifestyle. Last but not least, TCST was essential in guiding the support process in her legal matters to ensure her safety.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month with the More Than Enough campaign this year, and TCST exemplified this campaign in our Trenton community. Whether it’s meeting at the library, supporting victims of violence, or simply just being a positive presence in the community by engaging daily with residents, TCST reminds Trentonians the inherent value we each hold — no matter our diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background, or ability. Showing up, just as you are, for yourself and the people around you, is more than enough, and in Trenton TCST shows up.

Here at Isles, we love art! So it was no wonder that as Jim Simon, Deputy Director of Community Planning was moving on to new adventures after 15 years with Isles, he provided us with one last opportunity for amazing artwork at our Mill One location. Andrew Zhang is an 18 year old senior at the Hun School of Princeton. Andrew started drawing when he was eight, and his passion grew to full dedication during his sophomore year at Hun. 

Jim’s wife, Stacy, is Andrew’s art teacher at Hun. She presented her students with an independent senior capstone project, allowing them to showcase their creative talents. Lucky for us, Andrew chose Isles. He created his masterpiece with minor digital planning, mostly free handing his vision using chromo paint that can withstand the elements. The mural took 25 hours to paint on a metal shipping container and was influenced by the work that Jim has done with our Urban Agriculture department over the years. Andrew wanted to inspire anyone who saw the mural to consider our various ecosystems and the role that humanity must play in the preservation of nature. 

This was a very fitting project for this partnership and an amazing way to remember the role that Jim has played at Isles. On June 9, 2023, Andrew will graduate from the Hun school and go on to study fine arts at Parsons School of Design in NYC. “Although it was a little hot outside, I really had a lot of fun doing this project”, said Andrew, and we at Isles are grateful to have been chosen as his muse.