Last Saturday morning, the Carver Community Center was abuzz with energy as the annual Breakfast With Champions event brought together aspiring young minds and accomplished professionals across Connecticut. Organized by the dedicated efforts of Ms. Roberson and Tremain Gilmore, among Carver's longest-serving and most beloved staff, the event aimed to inspire and guide the youth toward paths of success.

Here are descriptions of the Breakfast With Champions event in 2022 and 2023.

The event's centerpiece each year is a panel of ten adult professionals, some of whom are Carver alumni, who share their life stories and the challenges they overcame to achieve their dreams. They speak candidly about their mistakes along the way, offering valuable lessons to the audience of approximately 200 youth and family members.

As each speaker took the microphone for their ten-minute presentation last Saturday, a profound silence fell over the room, broken only by the occasional scribbling of notes or murmurs of understanding. Their tales were not just of triumphs but also of resilience, perseverance, and the power of learning from missteps.

Throughout the event, a sense of hope and possibility permeated the air as the youth in attendance eagerly absorbed the wisdom and experiences shared by the panelists. During the question-and-answer sessions, hands shot up, eager minds seeking guidance on navigating the challenges ahead.

As the event drew to a close and the aroma of a hot breakfast wafted through the room, the atmosphere was one of profound gratitude and inspiration. The Breakfast With Champions had once again proven to be a powerful catalyst, igniting the dreams and aspirations of Carver's youth and reminding them that success is within reach, no matter the obstacles that may stand in their way.