Благотворительная организация Isles Inc. сократила 39 сотрудников из-за финансовых трудностей

One of Trenton’s high-profile nonprofit organizations was rocked Monday by a drastic downsizing. Isles Inc., a nonprofit group that concentrates on community development in Trenton, runs several programs that assist city residents in a wide variety of ways. “Our mission is to create the environment necessary for individuals and families to build and enjoy healthy, sustainable lives,” the organization’s website says in its mission and work statement. CEO Sean Jackson told The Trentonian Wednesday that the organization had to lay off 39 people as part of a restructuring. “Facing challenging financial headwinds, as many nonprofits are these days, Isles is taking significant steps to stabilize our financial position and build a more sustainable future. As a part of that effort, 39 members of the staff of 124 were laid off on Monday,” Jackson said. “We are pained to make these cuts, as these colleagues have done valuable and impactful work. But Isles must align our staffing and expenses with our funding,” Jackson said. Isles has a variety of “funding partners” listed online and frequently works with Trenton government on programs that assist citizens of the Capital City and surrounding areas. The organization runs one of the city’s Community Street Teams, Isles Youth Institute, transportation service GoTrenton!, urban agriculture programs, community planning programs, environmental and green initiatives, and many other programs. Asked about how the cuts would impact programs and services, Jackson said that the organization was working on a plan. “While services like GoTrenton! and Trenton Community Street Teams were not impacted by the layoffs, inevitably we will have to scale back some activities,” Jackson said. “We will be reviewing how to make all Isles services more efficient so we can continue to make impact across Trenton and beyond for years to come.” Multiple sources told The Trentonian that COO Laura Fenster Rothschild left Isles, but did not say it was related to the layoffs. Jackson did not comment on Rothschild specifically. Isles reported losing significant federal funding back in May when cuts were made to AmeriCorps programming nationwide. “Isles has been an important partner to the City of Trenton for decades, providing critical services and opportunities for our residents and strengthening neighborhoods throughout the city,” Mayor Reed Gusciora told The Trentonian. “Like many nonprofit organizations, Isles is facing the difficult realities created by the loss of federal grant dollars at the same time that the cost of providing essential services continues to rise,” Gusciora said. “Any loss of jobs in Trenton is devastating to us, and particularly when those positions are connected to programs serving residents in need. We are saddened to learn of these layoffs and concerned for the employees and families affected.” “The City values its longstanding partnership with Isles, and we hope to continue working together to ensure that vital programs and services remain available to Trenton residents.”