The Trenton Times published the following article on January 2, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
Trenton alternative high school Isles Youth Institute shaping, and changing, lives
By For The Times of Trenton
on January 02, 2014 at 7:30 AM, updated January 02, 2014 at 8:11 AMBy Mike Herold
Brittany Hodges knows how difficult it is to climb up from homelessness and life on the streets of Trenton.
“It’s hard, especially having a child,” the single mother and student at Isles Youth Institute said. “It’s hard to find a job. They’re looking for people with an education or work experience.”
Hodges had none of that when she left home after dropping out of high school.
“My mom passed away two months before I graduated from eighth grade,” Hodges said. “Eventually I just didn’t want to deal with everything, with my mom dying, so I dropped out of school and got into some bad things, illegal stuff and fighting.”
The Youth Institute is an alternative high school program in Trenton that aims to give kids a chance to learn and prosper when they haven’t had many chances to do so. Hodges said it has been a lifesaver for her.