Help Carver Make Thanksgiving Brighter for Local Families!

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, generosity, and community. This holiday season, Carver invites friends, neighbors, and supporters to help ensure local families can celebrate Thanksgiving with a special meal and the warmth of knowing their community cares.

Through our Thanksgiving Family Support Drive, Carver is helping families put a holiday meal on the table and create meaningful Thanksgiving memories together.

You can make a direct difference! Your generosity will help Carver provide families with:

• A Thanksgiving turkey to serve as the centerpiece of their holiday meal.

• A $50 gift card to help purchase groceries, side dishes, and other Thanksgiving essentials.

For families facing financial challenges, the added expense of a holiday meal can be difficult. A simple act of generosity can ease that burden and make Thanksgiving a little brighter.

At Carver, we believe that supporting children also means supporting the families who nurture and encourage them every day. Our Thanksgiving drive is one more way to extend that commitment beyond the classroom and into the homes of the families we serve.

Will you help us share the spirit of Thanksgiving?

Every gift, large or small, helps us bring comfort, joy, and a sense of community to families this holiday season.

To contribute, simply scan the QR code on the accompanying flyer and make your gift today.

Together, we can make this Thanksgiving a celebration of gratitude, generosity, and community for Carver families.

Thank you for helping Carver make the season brighter!

Calling All Young Musicians! Battle of the Jam Returns to Norwalk’s District Music Hall

Are you a budding musician, singer, songwriter, or member of a band? Here's your chance to take the stage!

The Carver is excited to share a special opportunity for young musicians throughout our community. The 2nd Annual Battle of the Jam is coming to District Music Hall in Norwalk on Sunday, March 7, 2027, and middle and high school students are invited to audition for a chance to perform on a professional concert stage!

Located within walking distance of the Carver Community Center, the historic District Music Hall is bringing together young talent, music-industry professionals, and local music fans for a celebration of creativity and musical expression.

All musical styles are welcome! Whether you're a solo vocalist, instrumentalist, rapper, songwriter, or part of a band, Battle of the Jam offers an opportunity to share your talent with a live audience. Up to 12 acts will be selected to perform before a panel of music-industry professionals, with exciting opportunities including professional consultations and the chance to record at Norwalk's own Factory Underground with an industry producer.

Young Musicians: Here's How to Apply

• Who: Connecticut middle and high school students, performing individually or in bands.

• What: Submit recordings of two songs, using audio or video files or links.

• Cost: Submissions are completely FREE!

• Deadline: January 15, 2027.

• Live Performance: Sunday, March 7, 2027, at District Music Hall.

Selected performers must be available on March 7, and participants under 18 will need parental or guardian consent.

Music Fans: Come Cheer on Connecticut's Rising Stars!

Even if you're not a performer, Battle of the Jam promises an exciting opportunity to discover talented young musicians, enjoy live music, and support arts education in our community.

Last year's inaugural event drew more than 200 students, families, and community members and helped fund 10 scholarships for District Backstage, a program that introduces young people to the world of live-event production.

This year's event, supported by JAM Studio and a collaboration with Factory Underground, will also help raise scholarship funds for the Backstage and Beat Builders summer camps, expanding opportunities for young people to explore music, sound production, and the performing arts.

At Carver, we believe that discovering and developing talents beyond the classroom is an important part of preparing young people for successful futures. We're delighted to help spread the word about this opportunity, made possible by the New Haven Center for Performing Arts and community partners, including our neighbors at Factory Underground.

To our Carver students: Your talent deserves to be heard. This could be your moment to shine!

Learn more about District Music Hall and its community programs at districtmusichall.com/community-programs.

Mark your calendars for March 7, 2027, and help us celebrate the next generation of Connecticut musicians!

Fall Fun, Creativity, and Friendship at Naramake's After the Bell Program

October brought creativity, exploration, and seasonal celebrations for students in The Carver's After the Bell program at Naramake Elementary School!

Under Yasmin Baez's leadership, students enjoyed a variety of hands-on activities designed to encourage self-expression, strengthen friendships, and promote collaborative learning. With her extensive experience in education and youth development, Yasmin creates a welcoming environment where children can learn, explore, and have fun together.

The month's activities included a special sailboat-making project paired with a Columbus Day storytime, giving students a chance to combine reading, creativity, and hands-on learning.

Students also celebrated the beauty of autumn with an outdoor fall walk, followed by colorful apple-themed art projects inspired by the season. Throughout October, the children maintained their own October Weather Calendar, observing and recording changes in the weather while developing their awareness of the natural world.

To close out the month, students drew pictures of their Halloween costumes or favorite characters, ensuring everyone could join the creative fun regardless of whether they celebrate Halloween. Apple cider and special October treats added a festive finishing touch!

These activities reflect what makes Carver's After the Bell programs so valuable: learning doesn't stop when the school day ends. Through art, reading, outdoor exploration, and shared experiences, students develop confidence, build meaningful friendships, and discover new ways to express themselves.

Thank you to Yasmin Baez and the Naramake After the Bell team for making October such a memorable month of learning, creativity, and community!

Carver Students Hit the Road for a Four-Campus College Tour

Sixteen Carver students are on an exciting three-day college tour, getting a firsthand look at four distinctive campuses in Maryland and New Jersey.

Accompanied by four Carver chaperones, the students are visiting Morgan State University and Coppin State University in Maryland, followed by Seton Hall University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in New Jersey.

College tours give students something that websites, brochures, and even virtual tours cannot fully provide: the opportunity to walk a campus, experience its atmosphere, learn about academic programs and student life, and begin imagining themselves as college students.

For Carver students, these experiences are an important part of preparing for life after high school. Visiting different kinds of institutions—from historically Black universities to private and public research universities—helps students broaden their understanding of the opportunities available to them and think more intentionally about what they want from their own college experience.

With 16 students, four chaperones, four campuses, and two states, this trip is about exploration, discovery, and possibility.

We look forward to hearing what our students have to say when they return—and which campuses made the biggest impression!

Halloween Fun for All! Join Carver and Community Partners for Tisdale’s Spooky Bash in Bridgeport on October 31

The Carver by the Numbers: A Legacy of Opportunity, A Future of Possibility.

Celebrating Dr. Susan Weinberger: 40 Years of Mentorship, a Lifetime of Changing Lives

Carver joins the City of Norwalk in celebrating a beloved advocate, volunteer, and champion of young people as Norwalk honors her pioneering contributions to generations of students and families.

See the Norwalk Current article and wonderful photos here.

Some people make a difference in their communities. Others transform those communities in ways that endure for generations. Dr. Susan G. Weinberger belongs unmistakably in the latter category.

As reported in today's Norwalk Current, the City of Norwalk has honored the Norwalk Mentor Program with a commemorative plaque at City Hall, recognizing its distinction as the nation's first school-based mentoring program. The recognition comes as the program celebrates its 40th anniversary, an extraordinary milestone for an initiative Susan founded in 1986.

What began with Susan's vision of connecting caring adults with young people has grown into a remarkable legacy of encouragement, opportunity, and human connection. Today, hundreds of Norwalk students benefit from relationships with mentors who offer something both simple and priceless: their time, attention, and unwavering belief in a child's potential.

For the Carver community, this recognition means even more.

Susan has been one of Carver's most devoted advocates, volunteers, and friends for decades. Her contributions to Carver youth and families are countless and priceless. Through her generosity, wisdom, personal commitment, and lifelong advocacy for mentoring, Susan has helped strengthen the very foundation of what Carver seeks to accomplish: ensuring that every young person has the relationships, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive.

Susan's husband, Dr. Norman Weinberger, shares her extraordinary partnership with Carver. Earlier this year, Carver had the distinct privilege of honoring Susan and Norman as the inaugural recipients of the 2026 George and Carol Bauer Humanitarian Leadership Award, recognizing their exceptional commitment to service, compassion, and the well-being of others.

That recognition expressed Carver's profound gratitude, but it was hardly the final word. Carver will always seek new and meaningful ways to honor Susan's extraordinary legacy and her immeasurable contributions to our young people, their families, and the broader Norwalk community.

Susan's life's work reminds us that mentoring is not simply a program or an activity. It is a promise to young people that they matter, that someone believes in them, and that their futures are worth investing in. Over four decades, the relationships she has inspired have changed lives in ways that cannot be fully captured by statistics, plaques, or awards.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Susan, the Norwalk Mentor Program, and everyone who has contributed to its remarkable 40-year history.

We also sincerely thank Norwalk Current for sharing this special moment of recognition (see all the joyful photos here) and for its important role as a community news outlet. Local journalism preserves stories, celebrates people, and illuminates the institutions that make Norwalk such a remarkable community. We are grateful for its commitment to telling those stories.

Above all, thank you, Susan. For your vision, your friendship, your generosity, and the countless lives you have touched. Your legacy lives in every young person who, through the kindness of a caring adult, has discovered that someone believes in them.

All of us at Carver are forever grateful.

At The Carver’s 2026 Child of America Gala at Shorehaven Golf Club, Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin stands (L-R) with Child of America honoree DeAndre Parks and his wife, Latrice, alongside Dr. Susan G. Weinberger and Dr. Norman J. Weinberger, the inaugural recipients of the newly established George and Carol Bauer Humanitarian Leadership Award.

Discover What's New at Carver Edge: More Opportunities, More Choices, More Possibilities!

High school students and families are invited to explore an exciting new year of opportunities with Carver Edge, Carver's expanded high school program designed to help students discover their passions, build valuable skills, and prepare for success in college, careers, and life.

Contact our Manager of Middle and High School Programs, Mary Martini, at (203) 838-4305, Ext. 118; mary@the-carver.org, to learn more and/or to sign up!

Carver Edge brings together academic enrichment, career exploration, paid internships, creative expression, leadership development, and personal wellness in a dynamic after-school experience.

Whether students are preparing for college, interested in earning professional credentials, looking for their first paid internship, or eager to explore new interests, Carver Edge offers opportunities to discover what's possible.

Explore the new Carver Edge offerings for the 2026–2027 school year:

• Carver Voices: Develop communication, storytelling, digital media, and leadership skills while learning to share your ideas and perspectives with the world.

• Game Changers: Build confidence, leadership, teamwork, and the skills to make a positive difference in your school and community.

• College Readiness: Explore college options, prepare for applications, navigate financial aid, and build a strong foundation for higher education.

• Workforce Development: Discover career pathways through professional training, including Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and bookkeeping opportunities, driver's education, and career readiness activities.

• Paid Internships: Gain meaningful workplace experience, develop professional skills, explore careers, and earn money while preparing for life after graduation.

• Fine Arts: Explore creativity and self-expression through opportunities in the arts.

• Wellness: Strengthen personal well-being, resilience, and healthy habits that support success in school and beyond.

A New Approach to High School Success

Carver Edge recognizes that every student has unique interests, talents, and ambitions. Some are focused on college. Others are eager to enter the workforce, earn professional credentials, or explore creative and entrepreneurial opportunities. Many want to do all of these things.

Our goal is to help students discover their strengths, make informed choices, and graduate with the confidence, experience, and practical skills to pursue their dreams.

Building on Carver's longstanding partnerships with Norwalk Public Schools, local employers, colleges, and community organizations, Carver Edge connects learning beyond the classroom with real-world opportunities.

Students and Families: Come Discover Your Edge!

We encourage high school students and their families to learn more about this year's expanded offerings, explore the programs that match their interests, and discover how Carver Edge can help them take the next step toward their future.

Your interests. Your ambitions. Your future. Your Edge.

Carver Students: Your Voice Can Help Shape Connecticut’s Future!

Connecticut high school students have an opportunity to turn their ideas into action—and Carver encourages our students to make their voices heard!

What would you change to make it easier for young people to get involved in their communities? What if you had the opportunity to share your idea directly with Connecticut's Secretary of the State?

Through VOICE CT (Voicing Our Ideas for Civic Engagement), Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas is inviting students in grades 9–12 across the state to identify one barrier that prevents young people from participating in their communities—and propose one practical solution they could help launch.

Whether it's creating more opportunities for student leadership, connecting young people with community organizations, improving access to civic activities, or finding new ways for students to make a difference, VOICE CT gives young people a platform to be heard.

Your Idea Could Open Doors

Students whose submissions are selected will have opportunities to develop their ideas and share them with state leadership:

• Top 10 submissions: An invitation to a virtual conversation with Secretary Thomas to discuss their ideas and civic engagement.

• Top 5 submissions: Individualized support to further develop their proposals, plus a social media spotlight to amplify their voices.

• Top submission: A visit to the student's school by Secretary Thomas.

Carver Students: This Opportunity Is for You!

At Carver, we believe young people aren't simply preparing to become tomorrow's leaders. They have the ideas, abilities, and perspectives to lead today.

Through Carver Edge, Carver Voices, and our high school enrichment and leadership opportunities, we encourage students to think critically, express themselves confidently, and take an active role in shaping their futures and communities.

VOICE CT offers another opportunity to put those skills into practice.

Explore VOICE CT resources and submit your idea here.

You don't need to have all the answers. Start by identifying a challenge you care about and imagining one meaningful step toward solving it. Questions? Email VOICECT@CT.gov about VOICE CT, the prompts, or the submission process. They wait to hear your VOICES! 

Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Connecticut's future needs both.

Carver Awarded Four State Grants to Expand Free After-School Learning at Six Norwalk Schools

The Carver has been awarded four grants totaling $776,376 in first-year funding through the Connecticut State Department of Education's (CSDE) Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program. The awards will support free, high-quality after-school learning opportunities for students at six Norwalk schools, building upon Carver's longstanding partnership with Norwalk Public Schools and Side by Side Charter School.

The awards are part of a statewide initiative announced October 7 by CSDE, providing approximately $15 million over three years to expand academic enrichment, student supports, and other learning opportunities beyond the traditional school day.

CSDE selected 25 programs for funding beginning in the 2026–27 school year. CSDE selected all four of Carver's proposals for this first group of awards.

Six Schools, Four Grants, One Commitment to Student Success

Carver's new 21st CCLC funding will support programming at:

• Marvin Elementary School and Naramake Elementary School

• Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School and Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School:

• Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School

• Side by Side Charter School:

Together, these awards represent nearly $2.5 million in potential funding over three years, subject to continued federal appropriations and compliance with grant requirements.

All students participating in these 21st CCLC-funded programs attend at no cost. This is an important part of Carver's commitment to ensuring that family income does not prevent children from accessing meaningful educational opportunities beyond the school day.

Learning That Extends Beyond the Classroom

Carver's programs combine academic assistance with hands-on enrichment, social-emotional learning, mentoring, wellness, and family engagement.

At Marvin, Naramake, Jefferson, and Silvermine, Carver's Scholars Program emphasizes helping fourth- and fifth-grade students build stronger academic foundations and prepare for the transition to middle school. Students build skills in literacy, mathematics, organization, self-management, leadership, and self-advocacy through STEAM, arts, technology, and other enrichment experiences.

At Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School, the grant will strengthen Carver's school-based extended learning opportunities; at Side by Side Charter School, the Future Ready Academy will provide middle-grade students with academic support and enrichment experiences designed to build creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and readiness for future educational opportunities.

Across the programs, Carver will work closely with school administrators, teachers, families, and community partners to connect after-school activities with student needs and school-day learning priorities.

A Statewide Investment in Children and Families

In announcing the awards, Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker emphasized the importance of connecting students, families, schools, and communities through after-school education.

The state's investment recognizes that student success depends on more than classroom instruction alone. Academic support, enriching experiences, positive relationships with caring adults, and opportunities for families to participate in their children's education all contribute to students' growth and well-being.

For Carver, these four grants represent another important investment in a broader educational mission that serves thousands of students annually through school-based and community-based programs in Norwalk and Bridgeport.

They also reinforce the value of partnerships among public schools, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, educators, and families working together to help children succeed.

Carver is grateful to the Connecticut State Department of Education, Norwalk Public Schools, Side by Side Charter School, and the educators and community partners whose collaboration makes these opportunities possible.

As the school year progresses, Carver looks forward to sharing the experiences, accomplishments, and measurable progress of the students participating in these programs.

Read the Connecticut State Department of Education's October 7 announcement.