June Qin (second to right) presenting check to Carver staff.
For many students, summer means vacations, beaches, sleeping-in, and taking a much needed break. But for others, summer becomes an opportunity to put energy into personal passions and community service. This is the case for June Qin, Darien High School student and Arts Program Director of BeHASSTic, who decided to leverage her passion for music and philanthropy to put on a concert benefitting Carver kids.
June has pursued the arts from a young age. A pianist since 6 years old, her accomplishments include performing at both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York. She is also a formal visual artist. But June was not satisfied in saving her passions for personal acclaim—instead she joined BeHASSTic, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to filling the gaps in traditional educational programs. She became the organization’s Arts Program Director and has since encouraged a love for the arts in our community’s children.
We were so happy to have welcomed June and her BeHASSTic colleagues to our community in 2021 when BeHASSTic partnered with the Carver. This year, however, June graduated from volunteer to Carver fundraiser! When she heard that the Carver planned to bring further art enrichment to elementary and middle school students, she offered to join the development effort. Over several months, June planned and brought to bear a benefit concert and art sale to help the Carver bring students to classes at the Norwalk Art Space.
We are deeply grateful for June’s verve for art and consideration for our students. The giving she inspired allows our students the opportunity to pursue various classes led by local artists at NAS. From Painting 101 to the impact of “ARTIVISM”, Norwalk Art Space classes provides students the means to express themselves skillfully and powerfully. Not only do Carver kids hone their creative instincts, but they learn how to make decisions with confidence. A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who participate regularly in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement than children who do not participate. Arts-educated children learn to use their voice in public forums, from spelling bees to science fairs to stage debates.
At the Carver, the arts are indispensable to building lifetime achievers. We are so grateful to receive June’s support in realizing our mission. And we thank all of those who contributed to June’s fundraiser and were moved by her work.
If you were not able to attend June’s fundraiser but are inspired by her story, feel empowered to emulate her! You can donate to The Carver here or you can organize a fundraiser on behalf of the Carver by coordinating with our Development Team.