Westport Connections Party Ignites Community Support for Carver Youth at STEAM Enrichment Social
Max Kim, Ben Zuckerman, Jen McPartlin, Andrea Moore, Eve Gianni, Inwha Huh, Nikki LaFaye, Nadine Tanen, Mark Gilrain, Mindi Lund, Kimberly Konstant, Grace Almeida, Livia Orenstein, Anya Gianni Corio
On Friday, September 27, 2024, the Westport Connections Party, dubbed the "STEAM Enrichment Social," brought together an extraordinary blend of art, community, and charitable giving at Clarendon Fine Art Gallery. The evening was warm and exciting as new and old friends came together to raise vital funds and awareness for The Carver.
Sponsored by a wide array of generous organizations including Amazing Grace (NYC), bird, Bridgewater Chocolate, Clarendon Fine Art Gallery, Gault Family Companies, imageworks, Kindred Spirits & Wine, LANDTECH, and the post, the event radiated creativity and collaboration. The gallery provided a fitting backdrop for the evening, with its elegant art displays accentuating the event's focus on the enrichment of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education.
Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin and Carver alumna Damaly Mendez
We are deeply grateful to the dedicated and visionary Connections Party Committee members: Inwha & Robert Kim, Andrea & David Moore, Eve Gianni, Mark Gilrain, Kimberly Konstant, Mindi Lund, Deb Placey, and Nadine Tanen. Their commitment, creativity, and generosity made this event a tremendous success.
A special note of thanks also goes out to our hardworking Student Volunteers—Grace Almeida, Anya Gianni Corio, Max Kim, Livia Orenstein, and Ben Zuckerman—who assisted in making the event seamless. Members of the National Charity League Westport Chapter also participated.
The evening also featured heartfelt remarks from inspiring Carver students. Cecilia Adriana Garcia, a rising 9th grader, shared her experiences in Carver’s Summer Transition Program. She highlighted the joy she found in creating art at The Norwalk Art Space, demonstrating how Carver enriches the lives of young learners through both academic and creative opportunities.
Deborah Hammerskjold, Mindi Lund, Jen Capelo, Brooke Sorensen, Inwha Huh, Drew Seath
Damaly Mendez, a Carver alumna and current sophomore at Quinnipiac University, reflected on her journey through Carver's Youth Development Program and the profound impact it had on her college success. She credited Carver with organizing multiple paid internships for her at Norwalk Hospital, which inspired her to pursue a nursing degree.
We are also thankful for the participation of Carver board members Philip Butterfield, Deborah Brennan, CEO Novelette Peterkin, Drew Seath, and Brooke Sorensen, who actively engaged with the guests throughout the evening.
The Westport Connections Party celebrated what is possible when a community comes together to support its youth. Together, we are helping to shape brighter futures for Norwalk’s young people.