Did You Know? Carver Is Powering Possibility in Bridgeport, Too.

When most people hear “Carver,” they think Norwalk.

But did you know Carver is also quietly and powerfully serving students in Bridgeport?

For years, Carver has been investing in Bridgeport’s children — expanding learning beyond the school day and year, and ensuring more students have access to the opportunities they deserve.

📚 After-School Excellence at Classical Studies Magnet Academy

At Classical Studies Magnet Academy, Carver serves 110 students through a high-quality after-school program designed to strengthen both academics and confidence.

Each afternoon includes:

• Daily academic support led by certified teachers

• STEAM enrichment activities that spark creativity and problem-solving

• Wellness programming that nurtures social-emotional growth

Students receive the kind of individualized attention and enrichment experiences that deepen classroom learning — and help them see themselves as capable, curious scholars.

🌟 Building Strong Starts Through Kick-Off to Kindergarten

Before children even enter kindergarten, Carver is already walking beside them.

Through our Kick-Off to Kindergarten Summer Program, Carver prepares 90 pre-kindergarten children across five Bridgeport elementary schools for a successful transition into formal schooling.

This joyful, research-informed program includes:

• Early literacy and numeracy instruction

• Hands-on, play-based learning experiences

• Strong family engagement to support learning at home

By strengthening foundational skills and building classroom confidence, Kick-Off helps ensure students enter kindergarten ready to learn — and ready to thrive.

Why It Matters

Together, these Bridgeport initiatives:

• Expand learning beyond the school day and year

• Promote equitable access to high-quality educational support

• Build academic skills, confidence, and long-term opportunity

Carver’s commitment doesn’t stop at city lines.

Whether in Norwalk or Bridgeport, our mission remains the same: to ensure every child has access to the tools, support, and inspiration they need to succeed.

Because potential lives everywhere.

Connecticut Parents Are Clear: Invest in Tutoring, Summer Learning, and Structured Time

A newly released statewide report, The State of Educational Opportunity in Connecticut: A Survey of Connecticut Parents (2nd Edition, February 2026) delivers a powerful and timely message: Connecticut families are united around the need for more learning time, more academic support, and smart public investment in proven strategies.

Nearly nine in ten Connecticut parents favor using public dollars to provide free tutoring for students who fall below grade level in reading and math. A similar share support public funding for free summer camps and structured programs. Parents are not asking for abstract reform. They are asking for practical tools that help children catch up, stay on track, and move confidently toward college, career, and service.

Yet the report reveals a troubling gap between what families want and what students actually receive. Only one in four Connecticut children are getting academic tutoring, and fewer than half participate in supervised afterschool or summer programs. The consequences show up most clearly in early literacy and math outcomes, and the gaps fall hardest on Black, Hispanic, and low-income students. The same communities where reading proficiency and math performance are lowest are also those where chronic absenteeism is highest.

In other words, access to structured learning time and academic support is not evenly distributed — and where it is weakest, student outcomes suffer most.

This is precisely where Carver focuses its work. For decades, Carver has built programming around extended learning time, small-group tutoring led by certified teachers, summer academic enrichment, literacy development, STEAM exploration, social-emotional support, and clear workforce pathways. Our afterschool and summer programs are not add-ons; they are structured extensions of the school day designed to close gaps before they widen.

The survey also shows that many Connecticut parents are generally satisfied with their child’s school and would choose it again. But satisfaction does not eliminate the need for stronger supports. Families can appreciate their schools while still recognizing that more tutoring, more structured summer learning, and more intentional academic reinforcement are essential — especially for students who are not yet reading or performing at grade level.

The report offers policymakers and funders something invaluable: a clear parental mandate. Connecticut families overwhelmingly support investing in tutoring and summer programs. The challenge before us is to close the distance between what parents want and what the system consistently delivers.

At Carver, we believe more time matters. Daily reading matters. Structured tutoring matters. Summer learning matters. Workforce exposure matters. Connecticut parents agree.

Program Partner Series: The Maritime Aquarium — Bringing Marine STEM Into Our Classrooms

When seventh-grader Elana carefully lifted a horseshoe crab shell from the table, the room went quiet. “This was alive?” he asked, turning it over in his hands. Around him, his classmates leaned in as a Maritime Aquarium educator guided them through the animal's anatomy and its role in Long Island Sound. Within minutes, Jayden was sketching the shell’s shape in his notebook, asking how pollution affects marine habitats, and debating with a classmate about how ecosystems stay balanced.

This wasn’t a field trip. It was a Carver after-school afternoon.

Through our longstanding partnership with The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Aquarium educators bring Marine STEM programming directly into our middle school classrooms. Designed for grades 5–8, these sessions use live animals, biofacts, and hands-on experiments to make marine science tangible and relevant. Students explore plankton's structures, examine marine food webs, and see firsthand how science, technology, engineering, and math connect to the environment just beyond our shoreline.

The programs unfold over multiple weeks, allowing ideas to build and curiosity to deepen. Rather than simply hearing about science, students practice observation, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning. The result is engagement that feels immediate and real.

For many Carver students, this exposure expands the ways STEM can look. It reinforces classroom learning while sparking new interests and confidence. Science becomes less abstract and more personal, something they can see, touch, question, and understand.

We are especially proud that Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin serves on The Maritime Aquarium’s Board of Directors, reflecting the strong alignment between our missions and our shared commitment to educational opportunity in Norwalk.

At Carver, after-school programming is structured and intentional. By bringing partners like The Maritime Aquarium into our classrooms, we ensure that students not only strengthen their academic skills, but also discover the wonder of learning — sometimes by holding a horseshoe crab shell in their hands.

Breakfast with Champions Returns March 28, 2026 — Discover Career Paths You Never Knew Were Possible

Travis Simms serves as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives representing Norwalk’s 140th District. A former world champion professional boxer turned public servant, Travis’s journey from the boxing ring to the State Capitol reflects resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to his community.

On Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10Am to 2PM, Carver’s annual Breakfast with Champions returns — and it promises to open doors you may not even know exist yet.

This isn’t just breakfast. It’s a front-row seat to possibility at the Carver Community Center.

Students will enjoy a delicious, FREE catered breakfast while meeting and engaging with 10 accomplished local professionals representing a wide range of industries and career journeys. From business and healthcare to creative fields, public service, technology, entrepreneurship, and beyond — each Champion brings a real-world story of persistence, growth, and opportunity.

What makes this morning special isn’t just the titles our guests hold. It’s the honest conversations. The questions you can ask. The insights about setbacks, pivots, risks, and unexpected turns that shaped their paths.

Success rarely follows a straight line — and Breakfast with Champions is designed to show students just how many routes lead to meaningful work and impact.

Whether you already have a dream career in mind or you’re still exploring what excites you, this event is your opportunity to:

• Ask questions you can’t Google

• Hear how real professionals navigated uncertainty

• Discover careers you didn’t know existed

• Build confidence about your own future

Bring your curiosity. Bring your ambition. Bring a friend.

We’ll bring the Champions.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 28, 2026 — and get ready to start your morning inspired.

Creativity Without Barriers: Free Art Classes for Carver Students at Norwalk Art Space

There is something powerful about walking into a studio and knowing you belong there.

For years, The Carver has been proud to partner with Norwalk Art Space — a remarkable community arts hub that makes professional-level art instruction available to students at absolutely no cost. In a region where access to enrichment opportunities can too often depend on zip code, Norwalk Art Space quietly and consistently removes that barrier.

Art for Everyone — No Experience Required

Norwalk Art Space offers free weekly art classes taught by its talented Resident Artists and visiting professionals under the leadership of Executive Director Duvian Montoya and Educational Director Darcy Hicks.

Shorter workshops are led by Korry Fellows and local artists, often connected to current exhibitions — giving students not only instruction, but exposure to the broader creative world.

And here’s the part we love most:

No prior experience is needed.

Students don’t have to “be artistic.” They just have to show up curious.

A Special Opportunity for Carver Students

Some classes are reserved for students from partner organizations such as The Carver, the Norwalk Housing Authority, and Family & Children’s Agency. These dedicated slots ensure that our young people have direct access to high-quality instruction in a welcoming, professional studio environment.

For Carver students, this isn’t just about painting or drawing. It’s about:

• Building confidence

• Developing focus and discipline

• Expressing emotion in healthy ways

• Seeing themselves as creators

• Spending time in a beautiful, inspiring space

Art builds agency. And agency builds futures.

Removing Every Barrier

All classes are completely free, though students must register in advance. If a class fills quickly (and many do), families can join the waitlist to stay connected to upcoming offerings. The Art Space also regularly announces new classes throughout the year.

You can explore current offerings here.

At The Carver, we believe academic achievement and creative expression go hand in hand. Partnerships like this one remind us that when a community invests in its young people — not just in remediation, but in imagination — extraordinary things happen.

To our longtime friends at Norwalk Art Space: thank you for continuing to open your doors, your studios, and your hearts to Norwalk’s students. 🎨✨

Carver Students Stand for Civic Engagement — Because Participation Matters

At Carver, we prepare young people for college, careers, and leadership. And leadership begins with understanding how our democracy works.

Last month in Connecticut, two special elections were held. Of roughly 25,000 registered voters, fewer than 3,500 participated, for about 14% turnout. That statistic is a reminder that civic engagement doesn’t happen automatically. It must be taught, modeled, and encouraged.

Our longtime friend and Carver volunteer, Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, recently shared resources for Civically Engaged Organizations (CEOs — and yes, Carver is proudly one). The state legislative session is underway, and her office has expanded its public toolkit with graphics and sample posts to help residents stay informed and involved.

She is also hosting the Winter Conversation webinar on March 11 from 12:00–1:00 PM to discuss key civics legislation in the 2026 session and how residents can voice their opinions.

Why does this matter to Carver?

Because civic understanding starts young.

This year, more than 10,300 fifth graders from 160 schools across Connecticut voted in the 2026 Kid Governor election. That level of student participation is inspiring. Congratulations to Theresa “Tessa” Hallinan of Green Acres Elementary School in North Haven, who was sworn in on January 23 after running on a platform of “Everyone Belongs,” promoting inclusion for students with disabilities. We also applaud cabinet members Dylan, Alyvia, Ajla, Samuel, Nana, and Myra.

Carver supports a healthy, informed, civically engaged community. And we are proud to stand with leaders like Secretary Thomas who champion participation and inclusion across Connecticut.

Civic engagement is not partisan. It is foundational.

40 Years of Belief: Norwalk Mentor Program Celebrates a Legacy of One-on-One Impact

As communities across the country observe National Mentoring Month, the Norwalk Mentor Program marked a milestone of its own: 40 years of steady, life-shaping relationships between caring adults and Norwalk students.

Founded in 1986 by longtime youth advocate Dr. Susan Weinberger, Norwalk’s school-based mentoring program has quietly become one of the most enduring forces for encouragement and connection in Norwalk Public Schools.

For The Carver, this celebration carries special meaning. Dr. Weinberger has long been a Carver volunteer and advocate, embodying the same belief that guides our own work: that every young person deserves a champion. The Norwalk Mentor Program’s 40-year legacy is a powerful reminder that change often begins with one caring adult, one hour a week, and a promise to show up.

For four decades, trained volunteers have been paired with students in grades K–12, meeting for one hour each week during the school day. Through simple, consistent time together—playing games, talking, listening, and offering perspective—mentors provide something profoundly powerful: presence.

The program’s 40th anniversary was celebrated at the Maritime Aquarium, where mentors, mentees, and families gathered to honor relationships that, in many cases, have lasted years, and even decades. Two mentor-mentee matches were recognized for remaining together for more than ten years, a testament to the program’s commitment to long-term connection rather than short-term intervention.

As Jasmine Prezzie, director of the Norwalk Mentor Program, shared during the celebration:

“All it takes is for one person to truly believe in you to see your full potential. Every child deserves someone other than family to care about them. It can make a world of difference.”

And the difference is clear. Students spoke about mentors who became trusted confidants, steady role models, and lifelong friends. In one particularly moving reflection, a student described a 13-year mentoring relationship that began in childhood and continues today—with plans to stay connected even through college.

Currently, the Norwalk Mentor Program supports 410 active mentor-mentee matches across the district. Yet the need remains significant, especially for male students who are waiting for a mentor to step forward.

National Mentoring Month reminds us that mentoring is a proven strategy for helping young people thrive, particularly those facing barriers in education, employment, or life circumstances. Research consistently shows that mentoring relationships improve academic engagement, strengthen social-emotional skills, and expand young people’s sense of possibility.

Those interested in becoming a Norwalk mentor can contact Jasmine Prezzie at jprezzie@hscct.org or 203-354-1956 to learn more. Because sometimes, the most transformative investment we can make is simply to believe in a child and keep showing up.

Breaking Ground on the Future: Carver Launches Phase II Renovations at the Historic Carver Community Center

L-R: Kathy Poirier, Kathy Poirier Architects, LLC; Kailee Scales, Carver Chief Advancement Officer; Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk); Norwalk Mayor Barbara Smyth; Lefa DeJesus, Building Construction Specialist 1, DECD; Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin; Carver Board President Phil Butterfield; and James LaRosa of LaRosa Construction.

On Thursday, January 22, The Carver celebrated a powerful moment in its history: the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase II renovations at the Carver Community Center, originally constructed in 1975 and a cornerstone of opportunity in Norwalk for five decades.

The morning began with an indoor program filled with gratitude, reflection, and vision. Community members, volunteers, board leaders, and elected officials gathered to mark the next chapter for a building that has served generations of Norwalk youth and families. At noon, attendees moved outdoors for the ceremonial groundbreaking, sledgehammers in hand, standing on the very ground where Carver's future is taking shape.

We were honored to welcome Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), whose leadership in 2024 secured $3.5 million in state funding to make these renovations possible. His commitment ensures that the Carver Community Center will be expanded, modernized, and fully ADA-accessible, with critical security upgrades to better protect students, families, and staff.

“I am beyond thrilled to announce the Carver Center will soon start Phase II of these renovations,” said Senator Duff. “The Carver provides many critical services and educational opportunities for Norwalk children. With these renovations, the center will be able to continue its great work for the next generation of Norwalkers.”

Mayor Barbara Smyth, CEO Novelette Perkins, members of The Carver Board of Directors, and numerous community partners, such as James LaRosa of LaRosa Construction, stood together in celebration of the continuity that this moment represents. Not simply upgrades, but major investments in young people.

The future Carver Community Center—Phase II renovations will expand access, strengthen safety, and modernize interior spaces. These improvements will be followed by major exterior renovations, as depicted here, completing the full transformation of this historic community landmark.

Phase II renovations will expand the center’s capacity, enhance ADA accessibility to ensure inclusion for all, and strengthen security systems to create a safer, more welcoming environment. These improvements reflect The Carver’s commitment to equipping all learners for global competitiveness by leading strategic partnerships that advance excellence and opportunity.

For 50 years, the Carver Community Center has been a place where children discover their potential, families find support, and community takes root.

We are grateful to Senator Duff and our state and local leaders for believing in The Carver’s mission and investing in its future. The work we do inside these walls—serving thousands of students across Norwalk—depends on strong, safe, accessible spaces where learning and growth can thrive.

News 12 Connecticut covered the event with a video feature, “Norwalk Carver Community Center holds ceremony for 2nd phase of renovations.” You can view the segment here.

The next chapter of Carver begins now, and we are just getting started.

Families at the Heart of Carver: A Joyful Evening at Naramake’s After the Bell

At Carver, student success has never been a solo act. It is built on partnership — between students, teachers, and most importantly, families.

Across all 65+ Carver programs, parent engagement is not an add-on. It is foundational. From family literacy nights and student showcases to workshops, conferences, and informal gatherings, we intentionally work to ensure families feel informed, welcome, and connected to their child’s learning journey.

Recently, at Naramake Elementary School, that partnership was on full display.

The After the Bell program hosted a simple yet meaningful celebration: a pizza party that brought together students and their families for an evening of connection and conversation. The cafeteria buzzed with laughter as parents sat side by side with their children, meeting Carver staff, hearing about academic progress, and celebrating the growth happening each day after school.

For many families, Carver provides more than academic support. It offers consistency, extended learning time, and trusted relationships with caring adults. When parents engage in the program — whether through events like this or through daily communication — students feel it. Research consistently shows that students whose families are involved in their education demonstrate stronger attendance, improved academic performance, and greater confidence.

At Naramake, the evening reflected exactly what makes Carver special:

• Students proudly sharing their work

• Teachers and program leaders building relationships with parents

• Families connecting with one another

• A warm, welcoming school environment after hours

These moments matter. They strengthen trust. They reinforce shared expectations. They remind children that school and home are working together on their behalf.

Carver is proud to partner with families across Norwalk — in elementary, middle, and high school programs — because we know that sustainable impact requires more than strong programming. It requires community.

Thank you to the Naramake families who joined us, and to the dedicated Carver staff who continue to make every student and every parent feel seen, valued, and supported.

Together, we build success that lasts.

Carver Partners Spotlight: Building Girls’ Confidence, Leadership, and Community Through Inspire Basketball

For decades, Carver’s strongest partnerships have been built on trust, mentorship, and a shared belief in young people. Our partnership with The Justice Education Center is a powerful example—rooted in community, shaped by lived experience, and brought to life at the Carver Community Center through girls’ basketball.

At the heart of this partnership are two Carver champions from different generations: Doug Peoples, a lifelong advocate for Norwalk youth who helped make this collaboration possible, and Shannon Singleton-Bates, Carver’s Recreation Coordinator, who is leading the Inspire Girls Basketball @ Carver program on the ground every day.

A Partnership Aligned Around Youth, Wellness, and Opportunity

The Justice Education Center’s mission to improve the lives of children, youth, and families through community safety, wellness, and opportunity aligns seamlessly with Carver’s holistic approach to youth development. Through Inspire Girls Basketball @ Carver, that alignment becomes tangible: girls ages 9–17 building skills, confidence, resilience, and belonging through structured, supportive athletics.

Basketball is the entry point. But the outcomes go far beyond the court—strengthened teamwork, emotional regulation, leadership, and self-belief that carry into school, family, and community life.

Doug Peoples: The Connector Who Made It Happen

If you ask around Norwalk who has quietly shaped generations of young athletes and leaders, one name comes up again and again: Doug Peoples.

A Norwalk High School graduate (Class of 1971) and three-sport athlete—basketball, football, and track—Doug has spent more than four decades doing what he has always done best: seeing potential in young people and refusing to let it go to waste.

After college, Doug returned home and began officiating girls’ basketball, where he immediately recognized both the talent and the opportunity gaps facing local athletes. Since then, he has helped countless young people—across sports and across schools—navigate pathways to scholarships, college, and beyond. Even during the height of the pandemic, when opportunities seemed to vanish overnight, Doug stepped up. He worked remotely with student-athletes, helping both secure college scholarships and continuing to show up—literally—to cheer them on once they got there.

Doug’s impact extends well beyond basketball. For more than 40 years, he has been a driving force in Norwalk's martial arts community. After discovering karate while playing football at Central Connecticut State University, he returned home with an idea that would change lives: using karate tournaments at Carver to help young people earn scholarships. That vision eventually led to the founding of Norwalk Tang Soo Do, where Doug has taught discipline, confidence, and self-defense to generations of Norwalk youth—and, in many cases, their parents.

Through it all, Doug has asked for nothing in return. What he has given instead is mentorship, advocacy, and a bridge between institutions and the young people who need them most. His role in connecting Carver with The Justice Education Center is a natural extension of a lifetime spent opening doors.

Shannon Singleton-Bates: Leading Inspire Girls at Carver Today

Every lasting legacy needs leaders who carry it forward. At Carver, that leader is Shannon Singleton-Bates, our Recreation Coordinator and the driving force behind Inspire Girls Basketball @ Carver.

A mentee of Doug Peoples, Shannon embodies the same values that shaped her own journey: discipline, encouragement, and belief in the power of structured recreation to change lives. Under her leadership, the Carver Community Center gym becomes a space where girls are coached—not just in basketball fundamentals, but in confidence, communication, and perseverance.

Shannon ensures that Inspire programming reflects its full mission: physical wellness paired with social-emotional growth. Practices and games are intentionally structured to foster empathy, teamwork, and leadership. Coaches model respect and accountability. Girls are encouraged to set goals, reflect on progress, and support one another—learning that success is built collectively.

Why This Partnership Matters

Inspire Girls Basketball @ Carver is a shared investment in community safety, wellness, and opportunity—values that sit at the core of both Carver and and the program benefactor, The Justice Education Center.

Thanks to Doug Peoples’ vision and advocacy, and Shannon Singleton-Bates’ leadership and execution, this partnership is helping young women discover their strength, their voice, and their place in a supportive community.

This is what Carver partnerships look like at their best: rooted in relationships, guided by mentorship, and focused on long-term impact—one young person at a time.