L-R: Carver board member and Connecticut Assistant Attorney General Diaghilev “Gigi” Lubin-Farnell, Darien Connections host Deb Brennan, and Carver Chief Advancement Officer Kailee Scales
On a beautiful summer evening overlooking Holly Pond in Darien, friends and supporters of Carver gathered at the home of Deb and Mike Brennan yesterday evening for an inspiring celebration of community, opportunity, and the power of investing in young people.
The evening brought together longtime supporters, new friends, and advocates who share a belief in Carver's mission to help students learn, grow, and thrive.
Carver Board member Deb Brennan reflected on her unique perspective as someone who has served on the Board during two different eras of the organization's history—first more than twenty years ago and again today. She spoke about the remarkable growth and transformation she has witnessed over the years, while emphasizing what has remained unchanged: Carver's heart.
Deb shared how Carver continues to surround young people with caring adults, meaningful opportunities, and a true sense of belonging. Whether through partnerships with local schools, the leadership of certified teachers, or programs designed to meet students where they are, Carver remains deeply committed to helping every child succeed.
Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin highlighted the origins and growth of the Scholars Program, which began through a partnership with two visionary school principals who recognized the need to better support students as they prepare for the transition to middle school. What started as a pilot initiative has quickly demonstrated strong results and growing demand among students, families, and schools.
Novelette shared the story of Elijah, a Scholars Program participant, whose mother expressed gratitude for the quality time she now enjoys with her son each evening because he comes home with his homework completed and greater confidence in his abilities. Stories like Elijah's illustrate the program's impact not only on students but on entire families.
One of the evening's most moving moments came when Carver alumna, board member, and Connecticut Assistant Attorney General Diaghilev “Gege” Farnell-Lubin shared her family's story. The daughter of first-generation immigrant parents who worked multiple jobs to provide opportunities for their children, Gege described how her family recognized the challenges that awaited them as she and her sister approached middle school and sought the academic support, caring mentors, and sense of community they could not provide on their own. Through Carver's early Scholars Program, Gege and her sister found far more than homework help—trusted adults who encouraged them to dream big and pursue ambitious goals. Her sister went on to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design and is now an art teacher, while Gege earned a degree in criminal justice and, with Carver's continued support years later through LSAT preparation, ultimately received a full law school scholarship. Today, she serves as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut. Looking back, Gege reflected that Carver gave her not only academic support, but also exposure, confidence, curiosity, and a community that believed in her potential. Her story served as a powerful reminder that when young people are surrounded by caring adults and meaningful opportunities, they can achieve dreams that once seemed beyond reach.
A goal of the evening was to raise new funds to enable Carver to expand the Scholars Program this fall to prepare more students for a successful transition to middle school. The enthusiasm shown throughout the evening for this program was inspiring.
Carver extends heartfelt thanks to our gracious hosts, Deb and Mike Brennan, for opening their home and bringing together friends who care deeply about the future of our community's children.
We are also grateful to the dedicated Connections Party Committee—Robin Ackerman, Betsy Bigler, Jeni Chapman, Marcia Cleary, Jillian Kaminski, Sue Okie, and Liz and Chris Whitney—for their leadership and hard work in making the evening such a success.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event. Because of your generosity, more students will have access to the guidance, confidence, academic support, and sense of belonging that define the Scholars Program and help young people build a strong foundation for future success.
Together, we are creating opportunities that change lives.
