Shaping Dreams and Inspiring Futures: Carver's 2025 Spring College Tour Embarks on a Transformative Journey
Carver is preparing to embark on a journey that transforms aspirations into realities and cultivates a generation of achievers.
During the highly anticipated 2025 53rd Annual Spring College Tour, a group of eager students, accompanied by Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin and dedicated chaperones, will set out on a road trip that promises to inspire and empower.
A Journey of Discovery
The 2025 Spring College Tour will take students through Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, visiting some of the region’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Carefully curated to foster academic curiosity, cultural enrichment, and personal growth, this year’s itinerary showcases the opportunities and experiences awaiting these young learners.
At each stop, students will be welcomed by school administrators, admissions officers, and successful Carver alumni. These encounters offer invaluable insights into navigating the college journey, uncovering academic and career possibilities, and learning the importance of persistence and ambition.
More Than a Road Trip
The Spring College Tour is a transformative odyssey. For many students, it will be their first time stepping outside of Connecticut, let alone onto a college campus, immersing themselves in the vibrant energy of higher education and imagining themselves among the ranks of future scholars.
This journey reflects Carver’s mission to empower young minds, foster a lifelong love of learning, and instill the confidence to aim high. Through campus visits, inspiring conversations, and the camaraderie of peers, students will leave with fond memories, as well as the tools and determination to carve out their futures.
Connections That Last a Lifetime
One of the tour’s most meaningful elements is the chance for students to connect with Carver alumni who have walked in their shoes and now thrive in their chosen fields. These interactions at each visited university and college underscore the profound impact of mentorship, offering relatable role models who prove that hard work and ambition can lead to remarkable achievements.
Looking Ahead
As the Carver community eagerly counts down to the departure of the 2025 Spring College Tour, anticipation is high for the unforgettable experiences that await. This journey will shape dreams, forge connections, and inspire a new generation of achievers to reach for the stars.
Stay tuned for updates from the road as Carver’s students embark on this extraordinary adventure!
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Carver in the News: $1.8M Grant to Boost After-School Programs for Norwalk Students
Carver is again in the news, with The Hour shining a spotlight on Carver securing a three-year $1.8 million grant to enhance after-school programming for Norwalk’s fourth and fifth graders. This federally funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grant will support students at Kendall College and Career Academy, Tracey Magnet School, Brookside Elementary School, and Fox Run Elementary School over the next three years.
The Hour Recognizes Carver’s Impact
The coverage from The Hour highlights Carver’s continued dedication to Norwalk’s youth and its mission to bridge academic and enrichment gaps. Carver is no stranger to the news for its innovative programs and commitment to student success, and this grant is another milestone in its storied legacy.
Expanding Opportunities for Young Learners
This $1.8 million grant will enable Carver to deliver high-quality after-school programs that blend academic support, STEAM activities, and social-emotional development. By focusing on fourth and fifth graders, these programs are designed to prepare students for a seamless transition to middle school while fostering their confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
A Spotlight on Four Schools
Carver’s after-school programming will directly benefit students at:
Kendall College and Career Academy
Tracey Magnet School
Brookside Elementary School
Fox Run Elementary School
Each school will serve as a hub for academic growth and enrichment, tailored to meet the unique needs of its students.
Celebrating Community Collaboration
The Hour’s coverage underscores the vital partnership between Carver and Norwalk Public Schools. This collaboration ensures that every dollar of the $1.8 million grant is maximized to provide meaningful, life-changing opportunities for students.
Why This Matters
As Norwalk’s trusted nonprofit provider of after-school and summer programs, Carver remains a beacon of hope and opportunity. The Hour’s recognition of this achievement celebrates the entire Norwalk community’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Stay Tuned for More
As The Hour continues to chronicle Carver’s impact, we invite you to follow along and witness the transformative power of education and enrichment in action. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for Norwalk’s youth.
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In 2025 we Celebrate Carver's Class of 2024: From Graduation to a Bright Future
Carver is thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Class of 2024 graduates! This year, 100% of our participating seniors—35 in total—graduated high school on time, demonstrating resilience, determination, and the incredible potential within each of them.
Our commitment to our students at Carver doesn’t end at high school graduation. We are proud to continue supporting our graduates as they enter the next chapter of their lives—college, trade school, or the workforce. Carver alumni remain part of our family, and we are here to cheer them on every step of the way.
Here’s where the Class of 2024 is headed:
College Bound:
An impressive 32 graduates have enrolled in college, pursuing their dreams at institutions that span the country. Their chosen schools include:
Sacred Heart University (4 students)
North Carolina Central University
Marist College
Holy Family University
Syracuse University
CT State Community College (8 students)
University of Connecticut (7 students)
North Carolina A&T
Middle Georgia State University
SUNY Purchase College
Fayetteville University
Western Connecticut State University (2 students)
Winston Salem State University
University of South Florida
Central Connecticut State University
Trade School Success:
One graduate is taking the path to trade school, attending Lincoln Tech to develop specialized skills for a thriving career.
Workforce Ready:
Two graduates are entering the workforce, bringing their talents, drive, and Carver values to their professional lives.
As much as we take pride in our work with our K12 students, we find equal joy in the ongoing success of our alumni. Their achievements are a testament to the lasting impact of the Carver experience. Whether walking the halls of a college campus, learning hands-on skills in trade school, or starting a career, Carver graduates are leaving their mark on the world—and we couldn’t be prouder.
Congratulations to the Carver Class of 2024! Once a part of Carver, always a part of Carver. We look forward to celebrating your continued success!
Carver in the News: Nancy on Norwalk Highlights Carver's 21st Century Grant Award
We are grateful to Nancy on Norwalk for spotlighting Carver's recent nearly $500,000 grant award through the Connecticut State Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) initiative. This generous funding will support Carver's mission to provide high-quality after-school programs that enhance student learning and offer vital resources to families and the community.
The article is part of Nancy on Norwalk’s ongoing and daily commitment to informing the community about initiatives that make a difference. We sincerely appreciate their efforts to raise awareness of Carver’s work and its impact on the students and families we serve.
For more on the grant and its significance, read the full story on Nancy on Norwalk.
Thank you, Nancy on Norwalk, for your continued support and dedication to sharing Carver’s journey with the community!
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The Season of Small Miracles: How Carver’s Community Nurtures Generosity and Connection
The holidays have a way of making us pause just long enough to truly see each other. In these moments, we're reminded of the depth of human connection, whether it’s an unexpected card from an old friend or a fleeting act of kindness in a busy checkout line. Sometimes, these moments are even more profound — a stranger’s simple gesture that blossoms into a life-changing friendship or a quiet act of compassion that leaves an indelible mark.
At Carver, we see these small but powerful moments every day in the lives of our students. The holiday season is an especially poignant time for this, as traditions from diverse backgrounds come together meaningfully. This is when crescent moon trees, inspired by the Islamic holidays of Ramadan and Eid, take their place alongside Christmas trees adorned with ornaments and lights, and menorahs lit for the eight nights of Hanukkah. They all serve as a vibrant representation of faith, culture, and celebration. Together, these decorations reflect the inclusivity, creativity, and shared experiences that define the holiday season at Carver, fostering a sense of unity and belonging among our students.
It’s also the season when a new immigrant student, haltingly learning English, offers her school supplies to a fellow student in need. Her simple act transforms scarcity into a moment of compassion and understanding. These small gestures are potent reminders that faithful giving doesn’t come from abundance but from the willingness to share, even when resources are limited.
What matters most in these moments often goes unnoticed. Carver’s work — the countless hands-on STEAM projects, the imperceptible social-emotional teachings, the borrowed traditions, and the quiet kindnesses — unfolds daily with no fanfare in ways that are as subtle as they are transformative. These moments are the real gifts of this season: surprises that remind us how much warmer and brighter the world feels when we lower our guard, even just a little.
Our students thrive because of you — the donors, volunteers, program partners, and staff who bring generosity, patience, and hope to the Carver community daily. Your contributions create an environment where these small yet extraordinary moments can flourish.
This holiday season, we thank you for the countless ways you’ve supported Carver’s mission and enriched the lives of our students. May your holidays be filled with the same small miracles, quiet joys, and transformative possibilities you’ve helped us create. From all of us at Carver, we wish you every blessing this holiday season and into the New Year.
Happy Holidays from Carver.
