Carver’s Child of America Gala Creates a World of Possibilities

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.

Carver’s annual Child of America Gala, held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk, brought together friends, donors, educators, civic leaders, volunteers, and students for an unforgettable evening celebrating Carver’s mission and the bright futures of Norwalk’s children.

See all the gala photos in three Facebook albums!

Barbara C. Smyth, Mayor of the City of Norwalk, graciously took the time to join Carver’s 2026 Child of America Gala, showing her continued interest in and support for the students, families, and communities Carver serves throughout Norwalk.

Nearly $550,000 was given to support Carver’s K–12 after-school, summer, college readiness, workforce development, and enrichment programs.

This year’s theme, “A World of Possibilities,” came to life through inspiring videos and powerful reflections on Carver’s role in helping young people dream boldly, build confidence, and prepare for the future.

A highlight of the evening was the introduction of the George and Carol Bauer Humanitarian Leadership Award, established to honor individuals whose lives reflect transformative philanthropy, ethical leadership, and deep commitment to community well-being. The award celebrates the Bauers’ extraordinary legacy of generosity, humility, and service.

Dr. Damon Lewis, Principal of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy and recently named National Middle School Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, attends The Carver’s 2026 Child of America Gala with his wife, Keisha Lewis.

Jasmine Prezzie introduced Carol and George Bauer. The inaugural award named in their honor was presented to Dr. Susan G. Weinberger and Dr. Norman J. Weinberger, longtime Carver volunteers, donors, and advocates whose lives of service reflect the very spirit of this new honor. Dr. Susan Weinberger, known nationally and internationally as “Dr. Mentor,” has transformed youth mentoring across the country, while Dr. Norman Weinberger has devoted more than five decades to compassionate medical care for vulnerable communities.

The evening also honored DeAndre Parks with Carver’s prestigious Child of America Award. A former Carver Board member, key architect of the Child of America Gala established in 2002, and longtime supporter of Carver scholarships, DeAndre has championed leadership, justice, opportunity, academic excellence, and access to higher education for our youth.

We are especially grateful to our Gala Chair, Jillian Kaminski (left), standing with Carver Board President Emeritus Charles Burns and his wife, Elizabeth, and Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin.

We thank the entire Gala Committee for their extraordinary leadership, creativity, and tireless commitment in bringing this unforgettable evening to life. Their vision, energy, and countless hours of behind-the-scenes work helped create a celebration that reflected the spirit of The Carver and inspired our community to invest in a world of possibilities for children and families.

Guests heard from Carver leaders and partners, including CEO Novelette Peterkin, auctioneer Robbie Gordy, Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School Principal Randall Austin, and Dr. Damon Lewis, Principal of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy and the 2025–26 National Middle School Principal of the Year.

The live auction featured extraordinary experiences, including a Saturday Night Live dress rehearsal, a New York Giants VIP experience, a private chef’s tasting, a Metropolitan Opera private box, and a seven-night Tuscan villa stay. The paddle raise that followed invited guests to invest directly in Carver students at giving levels from $100 to $50,000.

Carver is deeply grateful to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, student, speaker, honoree, and friend who made the evening possible. Together, they helped create a world of possibilities for the young people Carver serves every day.

George and Carol Bauer, longtime champions of educational opportunity and community impact, are pictured at Carver’s Child of America Gala, where the newly established George and Carol Bauer Humanitarian Leadership Award was introduced in recognition of their extraordinary generosity, vision, and enduring commitment to creating a world of possibilities for children and families.

As the evening ended and guests lingered over dessert and conversation, the deeper meaning of the night became unmistakably clear: Carver is far more than its programs. Every day, across classrooms, cafeterias, gyms, science labs, robotics competitions, paid internships, college tours, summer camps, and mentoring circles, Carver is helping thousands of young people move forward — from uncertainty to confidence, from potential to possibility.

For nearly nine decades, Carver has stood beside Norwalk students as they take each next step toward brighter futures. The Child of America Gala is a celebration of generosity. It is also a celebration of the momentum of children discovering talents they did not know they possessed, of families finding hope, and of a community choosing, together, to invest in the promise of its next generation.

Help Create a World of Possibilities for Carver Students This Summer

Last Friday evening, Carver’s Child of America Gala brought together an extraordinary community united around a simple, powerful idea: when we invest in young people, we create a world of possibilities.

The generosity of those in the room was inspiring—and it is already helping to shape what this summer will look like for Carver students. More gala news coming soon!

Now, we invite those who were not able to attend to be part of that same impact.

As we prepare to serve 1,500 students across nine summer programs, your support will ensure that every child has access to safe, enriching, and transformative experiences during the months when they need it most.

A gift at any level makes a meaningful difference:

• $50,000 helps fund daily transportation to and from Carver’s Summer Transition programs at four middle schools and two high schools

• $25,000 supports academic instruction, skills enrichment, and future readiness across all summer programs

• $10,000 delivers hands-on STEAM and wellness experiences, including engineering, science, nutrition, and personal health activities

• $5,000 sends students on weekly cultural and educational trips to destinations like the Connecticut Science Center, Beardsley Zoo, Stepping Stones Museum, and Stamford Nature Center

• $2,500 provides weekly pool visits with water safety instruction and swimming lessons

• $1,000 supplies materials for art, baking, and technology-based learning

• $500 supports daily small-group or one-on-one academic sessions in math and reading with certified teachers

• $250 funds weekly recreational activities such as sports, games, and outdoor play

• $100 brings special experiences to students, including guest presenters, animal encounters, and new cultural activities

Every dollar helps create a summer filled with learning, discovery, confidence, and joy.

In the coming days, we will be sharing photos and videos from the Gala that beautifully capture this spirit and that bring to life the impact of Carver’s work.

But you don’t need to wait.

You can be part of this moment right now.

Please click here today to help create a World of Possibilities for Carver students this summer!

Norwalk Public Schools Leaders Spotlight the Power of Project-Based Learning

Two Norwalk Public Schools leaders, Victor Black, Ph.D., and Beth Furnari, recently shared a powerful reflection in SmartBrief on the transformative impact of Project-Based Learning — an approach that has long been central to Carver’s own work with students.

In their article, Dr. Black, director of Norwalk Public Schools’ Magnet School Assistance Program, and Beth Furnari, principal of P-TECH Norwalk, describe Project-Based Learning as a way for students to engage deeply with real-world problems, develop original solutions, and present their work to authentic audiences. They write that PBL builds not only academic knowledge, but also critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication, confidence, and student agency.

Their examples are inspiring: students designing sneaker-search apps, smart garbage bins that generate shopping lists, and even an adaptive sports helmet for an athlete with a hearing deficit. These are not ordinary classroom assignments. They are demonstrations of what happens when young people are invited to imagine, build, test, explain, and lead.

At Carver, this philosophy is deeply familiar. For many years, Carver programs have embraced hands-on, project-based learning across after-school, summer, STEAM, college readiness, workforce development, and enrichment experiences. Whether students are building robots, conducting science experiments, creating art, developing business ideas, preparing for careers, or solving team-based challenges, Carver’s programs are designed to help students learn by doing.

The article also highlights one of the reasons PBL matters so much in a diverse district like Norwalk: it helps students see themselves differently. Dr. Black and Principal Furnari describe PBL as “the great equalizer,” noting that when students realize they can succeed in school, their confidence, attendance, behavior, and academic performance can begin to change.

That belief aligns closely with Carver’s mission. Carver partners with schools, families, and community organizations to help students discover their strengths, build real skills, and prepare for future success. Project-Based Learning is one of the most effective ways to make that happen because it connects learning to purpose.

We congratulate Dr. Black and Principal Furnari for sharing this important work with a national audience — and for helping elevate an instructional approach that reflects what Carver students demonstrate every day: when young people are trusted to think, create, collaborate, and lead, they rise.

Carver Students Shine at The Norwalk Art Space Spring Student Art Showcase

Waid Ramsubhag

Carver students proudly shared their creativity with the community at The Norwalk Art Space Spring Student Art Showcase and Recital on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

The celebratory evening highlighted the achievements of spring-semester students in art and music, featuring student-created artwork and live musical performances. The event also included Carver student artwork available for sale, giving young artists the powerful experience of seeing their work displayed, appreciated, and valued by the public.

Carver’s participation was led by Waid Ramsubhag, Manager of Carver After School Program for Education and Recreation (CASPER) and Jr. YDP at the Carver Community Center. Over the course of 14 weeks, Carver students traveled to The Norwalk Art Space each Thursday, where they attended classes, brainstormed ideas, and created their own individual works of art.

Before each class, The Norwalk Art Space also provided prepared meals for Carver’s K-8 students, ensuring that every young artist arrived ready to learn, create, and participate fully.

The showcase reflected the heart of The Norwalk Art Space’s mission: providing local students with free access to high-quality art and music education, mentorship, and community exhibitions. For Carver students, the program offered arts instruction and gave them a place to imagine, express themselves, build confidence, and see their creative voices celebrated.

Carver is deeply grateful to The Norwalk Art Space for opening its doors to our students and for helping make the arts an accessible and joyful part of their learning journey.

Bid by Proxy and Be Part of Carver’s 2026 Child of America Gala this Friday, May 1

Click on the image above or here to go to the Live Auction page to see all the details.

The excitement is building for Carver’s 2026 Child of America Gala this Friday, May 1st, and you do not need to wait until the live auction begins to take part.

Explore the full collection here of this year’s exceptional live auction experiences on our auction page. From unforgettable travel to once-in-a-lifetime moments, find the experience that inspires you—and start planning your bid.

Guests who are unable to attend the gala—or who prefer not to bid in the room—can still fully participate through proxy bidding by Thursday, April 30. Simply submit your maximum bid in advance, and Carver staff will represent you during the live auction.

Your maximum bid is kept confidential. During the auction, we will raise the paddle on your behalf, increasing your bid only as needed and never going beyond your stated maximum. If your bid is the highest, you win. Even if you are ultimately outbid, your early participation helps build momentum for this important fundraising moment.

Proxy bidding allows you to participate from anywhere, stay in control of your giving, and support Carver students and families even if you cannot be in the room.

Every winning bid directly supports Carver students and families, expanding access to the opportunities that shape bright futures. Thank you for being part of the 2026 Child of America Gala and for helping make this evening a true celebration of generosity, opportunity, and a world of possibilities.

To place a proxy bid by Thursday, April 30, or ask questions, please contact: Emily Berliet, Senior Development Manager, emily@the-carver.org | 203-687-3288 mobile.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO GO TO THE AUCTION PAGE ON THIS WEBSITE TO LEARN THE DETAILS FOR EACH EXPERIENCE

Carver Board Member Jillian Kaminski Honored for Outstanding Volunteer Service

Jillian Kaminski and Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin

Carver proudly congratulates Board of Directors member Jillian Kaminski on receiving the Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award at The 47th Annual Darien Volunteer Celebration, hosted by The Community Fund of Darien on April 23, 2026.

Jillian was honored for her dedicated volunteer service to Carver, where she brings exceptional professional expertise as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Vice Chairman and Global Head of Alumni Relations at BlackRock. Through her board service, Jillian helps Carver strengthen community relationships, deepen alumni engagement, and expand the networks of support that help young people thrive.

This year’s celebration was especially meaningful as The Community Fund of Darien marks its 75th Anniversary by honoring 75 extraordinary volunteers—the largest group recognized in the event’s history. The annual tradition began in 1979 and celebrates Darien residents whose time, talent, and commitment benefit nonprofit organizations locally and beyond.

Carver is deeply grateful for Jillian’s leadership, generosity, and belief in the promise of every student we serve. Her recognition is a testament to her service and to the power of volunteer leadership in advancing Carver’s mission.

Thirty-Three Years of Service: Farewell to Elizabeth Finn

Elizabeth Finn, center-middle, white sweater

Carver celebrates a leader whose steady hand shaped The Carver for a generation.

33+ Years of service. 3.5 Years at Carver. 10 Years with P2P.

On a warm spring day recently, surrounded by colleagues, community members, and dear friends, the Carver bid a heartfelt farewell to Elizabeth Finn — a financial leader whose dedication, wisdom, and warmth have been woven into the fabric of this organization.

The going-away party was held at the Carver Community Center — itself a living testament to Elizabeth's impact. The building is currently under construction through the summer to complete a two-story Teen Center and sweeping renovations that include a new entrance and elevator. That transformation is possible, in no small part, because of Elizabeth's leadership and fiscal excellence over the years.

The celebration

Led by Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin, the party was filled with heartfelt tributes from staff and community members who gathered to honor everything Elizabeth has given to Carver. One after another, colleagues spoke of her steadying presence, her generosity of spirit, and the quiet confidence she brought to even the most complex financial challenges.

"Elizabeth brought more than financial stewardship to Carver — she brought integrity, grace, and a genuine belief in the mission we share,” said Novelette Peterkin, CEO.

Stories flowed freely — of budget meetings navigated with calm and clarity, of guidance offered generously to all staff, of the kind of institutional memory that simply cannot be replicated.

A legacy built to last

• Nearly 13 years of combined nonprofit financial leadership across Carver and Person-to-Person

• A culture of fiscal transparency and accountability that will endure for years to come

Elizabeth's journey in nonprofit finance is remarkable. She first joined Person-to-Person in November 2012 as a Finance Associate, rising to Chief Operating Officer before becoming Chief Financial Officer at Carver in December 2022. Before her nonprofit career, she served as Vice President at Signet Bank of Virginia and Assistant Vice President at Chemical Bank, bringing with her an MBA from the University of Richmond and deep financial expertise she ultimately devoted to the public good.

What's next

Elizabeth steps into this next chapter having earned every moment of it. Whether she is exploring new adventures, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying a well-deserved rest, the entire Carver family wishes her joy and good health in every mile and year ahead.

The Carver extends its deepest gratitude to Elizabeth Finn for her extraordinary service. We are better because of you — and we will carry your example forward.

Carver 5th Grade Scholars Shine in 2026 Technovation Celebration

An inspiring initiative designed to introduce 5th graders to the power of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship was once again available to students in the Carver Scholars Program, thanks to Dr. Cynthia Barnett and Amazing Girls Science. Over 12 weeks, from December through April, students from Brookside, Fox Run, Jefferson, Kendall, Silvermine, and Tracey Elementary Schools worked in teams to identify real-world problems, think through challenges, and build app-based solutions.

The culminating Technovation Celebration brought together families, mentors, judges, and Carver supporters to honor the girls’ hard work and creativity. Team after team took the stage to present the problems they identified, the challenges they overcame, and the apps they designed to make a difference.

Students tackled issues ranging from reporting signs of violence and helping animals in need to making healthier nutrition choices, conserving water, supporting caregivers with health alerts, and saving money by cooking at home. Their app ideas included Safe Circle, Helping Paws, Heart Harvest, Water Hero Adventure, My Health Solution, and Cultural Cooks.

The event also highlighted the caring adults who helped guide the girls throughout the journey. The participating teams were mentored by Jodi Flom Nathanson, Audra Good, Yana Rankine, Kristen Castro, Maria Paris, Fabiola Estevez, Verónica Ochoa, Anna McCormick, and Clare Woodman, and presentations were evaluated by judges Lauren Sweeney, Uchenna Pratt, and Maryann Murillo. Students were scored using a rubric that measured the strength of their problem and project description, their technical presentation, and their learning journey.

Families filled the room with pride as the girls shared not just what they created, but what they learned. The day is celebrated far more than technology alone. It showcased confidence, teamwork, public speaking, problem-solving, and the joy of seeing young people realize that they can create solutions for issues that matter in their communities.

At the end of the celebration, prizes were awarded to the top teams, with $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. Every participant also received an ice cream token to Stew Leonard’s — a sweet reminder that every one of these young innovators had earned a moment to celebrate.

Carver is deeply grateful to Dr. Cynthia Barnett and Amazing Girls Science for sponsoring this program, to the Scholars Directors and mentors at every school, to the judges, and to the families whose encouragement filled the room. Most of all, we celebrate the girls themselves. They showed up. They solved problems. They built. They presented. And they shone!

Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy Takes Top Honors at Carver Innovators Robotics Showcase at NHRL

Excitement, teamwork, and school pride filled the arena on April 21 as The Carver’s middle school robotics students gathered at NHRL in Norwalk for the Carver Innovators Student Showcase: Robotics. With two teams from each of Norwalk’s four middle schools—Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, Roton Middle School, Nathan Hale Middle School, and West Rocks Middle School—the event brought together students, families, teachers, and supporters to celebrate creativity, persistence, and hands-on learning.

Throughout the showcase, students put their skills to the test in a series of lively robotics challenges, including Precision Parking, Tunnel Run, Retrieval & Transport, and the Line Follow Sprint. Using the ERIC robot, they demonstrated not only growing knowledge of gears, motors, sensors, and structural design, but also the patience, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving that are at the heart of STEM learning.

Mary Martini, The Carver’s Manager of Middle and High School Programs, served as the emcee, guiding the event with energy and encouragement. Novelette Peterkin, CEO of The Carver, and Rafael Soliven of Conair served as judges, while NHRL staff were on hand throughout the competition to help troubleshoot and support students as needed.

After a terrific afternoon of competition, Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy took top prize, with Nathan Hale Middle School earning second place. But the real victory belonged to all of the students who stepped into the spotlight, rose to the challenge, and showed what can happen when young people are given opportunities to explore innovation in a fun, supportive environment.

The Carver extends heartfelt thanks to the many people and partners who made this special event possible. Thank you to our wonderful teachers and families for encouraging and cheering on our students. Special thanks to our sponsors—NHRL, Conair, Sound Control Technologies, BMW of Darien, and Terex—for investing in opportunities that help students build confidence and skills. We are also especially grateful to The McChord Foundation for its valued support of Carver Innovators and its belief in the power of hands-on learning to inspire young people.

And thank you to NHRL for hosting this exciting showcase and for helping make robotics more accessible to the next generation of builders, makers, and problem-solvers.

Programs like Carver Innovators remind us that when students are encouraged to experiment, collaborate, and persevere, they do far more than build robots. They build confidence. They build skills. And they begin to imagine bigger futures for themselves.

Carver Innovators Challenge Kicks Off with Exciting Speed Chess Showcase at The SoNo Collection

The Carver Innovators Challenge launched an exciting new chapter yesterday, April 20, 2026, with the Carver Innovators Student Showcase: Chess at The SoNo Collection. The Chess event brought together students from Fox Run Elementary School, Tracey Elementary School, and the CASPER program at Carver Community Center, along with their families, educators, sponsors, and community supporters. We witnessed and celebrated strategic thinking, perseverance, and the power of hands-on enrichment in action.

This Fairfield County initiative connects students, educators, and corporate partners through immersive learning in robotics, chess, and strategic problem-solving. Over six weeks, K–8 students from Fox Run Elementary School, Tracey Elementary School, Roton Middle School, Nathan Hale Middle School, and the CASPER program at the Carver Community Center have been working alongside Carver educators, corporate mentors, and professional instructors to build skills in engineering, collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking.

A Showcase of Strategy and Focus

Yesterday’s event featured a lively speed chess tournament, where students competed in timed, one-on-one games and earned points based on their performance. The fast-paced format challenged students to think quickly, stay focused under pressure, and apply strategy with confidence.

The showcase began with welcome and opening remarks from Tricia Ciccone, Carver Director of Elementary School Programs, who thanked students and their families, recognized The SoNo Collection for hosting the event, and acknowledged the support of the program’s sponsors.

During her remarks, she highlighted Carver’s commitment to helping students develop critical life skills through STEM-based enrichment programs, including chess. Through hands-on, project-based learning, Carver continues to create opportunities for students to strengthen critical thinking, patience, problem-solving, and confidence.

First-place winners who tied in the Carver Innovators Student Showcase Chess Tournament at The SoNo Collection on April 20, 2026.

Following the opening, Waid Ramsubhag, Carver Manager of CASPER and Jr. YDP at the Carver Community Center, reviewed the rules of play before the tournament officially began. Students then competed across five rounds of play, with each round lasting approximately 10–15 minutes, including transitions. The tournament built excitement round by round as students advanced through the competition and spectators cheered them on.

The afternoon concluded with awards and final thoughts from Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin, who also shared Carver’s enthusiasm about expanding the program to include additional schools next year.

Sponsors and Community Partners

Carver proudly recognized the organizations that helped make the program possible:

• ConAir

• Sound Control Technologies

• BMW of Darien

• Terex

• National Havoc Robot League (NHRL - Presenting Sponsor)

• The SoNo Collection (event host)

• Special thanks to The McChord Foundation

What’s Next: Robotics Showcase Today

The excitement continues today, April 21, with the second public event in the Carver Innovators Challenge:

Carver Innovators’ Robotics Showcase

April 21, 2026 | 4:00–6:00 PM
National Havoc Robot League (HAVOC/NHRL)

This second showcase will spotlight the engineering, creativity, and teamwork students have been developing throughout the program, giving the community another opportunity to celebrate their innovation and growth.

The Carver Innovators Challenge is a powerful investment in students’ futures. By bringing together schools, families, educators, and corporate partners, Carver is helping young people discover their strengths and build the confidence to thrive in STEM and beyond.