Carver Summer Camps open today!

All Carver summer camps and programs begin today, July 6th!

The full roster of Carver's summer programs includes:

- Summer Enrichment Camps at the Carver Community Center and Columbus Magnet School

- After the Summer Bell Enrichment Program at Kendall Elementary School

- Summer Program at Side by Side Charter School

- Summer Transition Programs for rising 6th and 9th graders at Nathan Hale, Ponus Ridge, Roton, West Rocks, Brien McMahon, and Norwalk High School

Summer enrichment camps end August 13th; all other summer programs end August 6th. Click here to learn more about Carver's summer programs

Registration for fall after-school programs began on July 1st!

Amazing Carver students received their scholarship awards!

Trinity McFadden, a third-year student at Rochester Institute of Technology, spent last summer and fall semester working as a campaign intern for newly elected Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper. As the internship progressed, she was placed on a committee focusing on African American and veteran efforts in Colorado.

Here is a story about Trinity’s first year as a criminal justice major. She was among the school’s inaugural group of Maguire Scholars. Trinity also made the Dean's List with a 4.0 GPA, and she was invited to join the school’s Honors Program. Trinity learned Russian sign language as an elective and traveled to Russia for three weeks as part of the curriculum.

We celebrated the achievements of our seniors and college students yesterday and awarded them $111,000 in college scholarships.

20 of the 27 scholarship awardees earned GPAs of 3.3 or above, 4 of these 27 students earned a GPA of 2.6, and 3 of the 27 students earned a GPA of 2.0 to 2.5.

Four students were awarded the Athena Scholarship. One college student received a renewal of the annual $10,000 scholarship, and three new students were each awarded $20,000 over the next four years.

Scholarships (explained below) also include the D’Andre Parks Scholarship for students with the highest GPA; the Whitcomb Scholarship for students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher; the Fuller Scholarship for students with a GPA of 2.6 to 3.3; and the Serenbetz Scholarship for students with a GPA of 2.0 to 2.5.

The 27 awardees: Nikayla Ashley; Kayla Alvarado; Lakia Brayboy; Genesis Butler; Alexis Bynum; Michelle Chacko; Liberty Corbett; Angee Cruz; Eric Day; Alexis Fazzino; Jadyn Grant; Luis Guaillas; Camisha Hines; Christie Lefevre; Sandy Maxelix; Trinity McFadden; Karen Sofia Martinez Coronado; Brianna Mendoza Carrillo; Shaniya Mesilin; Carla Romeus; Myles Russell; Evan Townsend Henry; Jennifer Veliz; Nicea Nerette; Mandie Romeus; Samuel Emile; and Dejanah Lorthe.

SERENBETZ SCHOLARSHIP

Awards range from $2,500 to $4,000 and are awarded to Carver students who earn a GPA of 2.0 to 2.5. The Serenbetz family has generously supported Carver for many years and is especially committed to the Carver scholarship program. Thelma Serenbetz, the matriarch of the family, was one of the readers of the Carver scholarship essays each year. Her first job after college was as an editor, but more importantly, she knew the inestimable value of a college education. Thelma and her family went on to support many organizations and schools through the years to help young people thrive and achieve their goals. When we learned of Thelma’s passing in August 2019, we wanted to honor her memory and legacy, particularly her commitment to our students. This scholarship honors Thelma’s life and all that she gave to and made possible for Carver students through the years.

FULLER SCHOLARSHIP

The Fuller Scholarship is presented to Carver students ranging from $3,000 to $4,000. The Fuller Scholarship was created to honor Carver’s longtime Executive Director, Richard N. Fuller Sr., upon his retirement in 2004. Mr. Fuller served Carver students for 26 years. He was an educator, trusted community leader, and strong advocate for Norwalk families. The City of Norwalk renamed Academy Street, where the Carver Community Center is located, Richard Fuller Way. Countless Carver alumni credit Mr. Fuller for giving them the example, inspiration, and motivation to succeed in life.

WHITCOMB SCHOLARSHIP

The Whitcomb Scholarship ranges from $3,000 to $4,000, awarded to Carver students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement of a GPA of 3.3 or higher. The scholarship was established in 2018, in honor of Richard (Dick) Whitcomb, who is one of the most influential individuals in the life and growth of the Carver community since its founding in 1938. Mr. Whitcomb was involved in Carver since the 1960s when he’d bring St. Luke’s School students to volunteer at the Carver Community Center. Novelette Peterkin joined the Carver community in 2004. She met Dick in 2006, and by 2008 they set out on the bold journey to expand Carver’s after-school and summer programs to almost every school in Norwalk. Dick served on the Carver board for many years and today serves as an ex officio advisor to the board. Dick is also Headmaster Emeritus, St. Luke’s School. Dick was given Carver’s Lifetime Achievement Award on the occasion of Carver’s 75th anniversary.

DARIEN ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP

This $3,000 award this year is presented to a Carver student attending Norwalk Community College. This student is highly engaged in the Carver community, demonstrates grit and determination, and demonstrates an exemplary willingness to succeed.

DEANDRE PARKS SCHOLARSHIP

This $5,000 award is given to the student with the highest GPA. It was established to honor the profound contributions of this former Carver board member. Mr. Parks was one of the founders of Carver’s annual Child of America Gala, Carver’s largest event that consistently brings national prestige to our local organization. Mr. Parks remains a major Carver donor and champion even after all these years.

ATHENA SCHOLARSHIP

An anonymous donor established the Athena Scholarship in 2017 with a pledge of $40,000 over four years to a Carver student who demonstrates a diligent work ethic, resilience in the face of challenges, and a strong commitment to graduate from a four-year college within four years. This year, that same donor added three four-year $20,000 scholarships to this program on the same terms. Scholarship awardees must maintain strong academic performance and provide yearly updates to receive the yearly scholarship renewal.

We hope more Carver donors will want to create their own named scholarship funds in the years ahead.

President Joe Biden nominates Kamilah Forbes, Carver ‘s Child of America 2020 honoree, to the National Council on the Arts

Click here or on the image to see Kamilah Forbes address Carver kids in our Celebrating Courage video last Thursday.

Here’s the White House press release about the nomination.

Kamilah Forbes is an esteemed award-winning director and producer for theater and television who currently serves as the Executive Producer at the world-famous Apollo Theater. Forbes is noted for having a strong commitment to the development of creative works by, for, and about the Hip-Hop generation. In addition to her work at the Apollo, Forbes’ directing credits include By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, written by two-time Pulitzer prize-winning writer Lynn Nottage; The Blood Quilt, written by Katori Hall; and Sunset Baby, by MacArthur Genius recipient Dominique Morisseau. She has also worked as associate director on the Tony Award-winning A Raisin in the Sun, and Emmy Award-winning “The Wiz Live” for NBC. Other Broadway credits include The Mountaintop and Stick Fly. 

Forbes’ most recent directorial work, “Between the World and Me” aired as a special event on HBO and HBO Max in November 2020. Her directorial work on “Between the World and Me” has brought her a host of acclaim and recognition, including a nomination for Best Direction for an NAACP Image Award and a Critics Choice Award nomination. 

Throughout her career, Forbes has won numerous awards for both directing and producing, including the 2019 NBTF Larry Leon Hamlin Producer Award, a Root 100 Award, an NAACP Image Award, a Helen Hayes and Barrymore Award, and an Audelco. Forbes’ recent projects include directing the sold-out world premiere, tour, and theatrical adaption of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ New York Times best-selling novel Between the World and Me, which premiered at the Apollo Theater in 2018 and returned for encore performances in 2019. In addition to her work at the Apollo Theater, Forbes is set to direct the Broadway premiere of Soul Train alongside producer Questlove, playwright Dominique Morisseau, and choreographer Camille A. Brown.  

Connecticut Summer FREE at the Museum!

It’s time to explore!

Beginning today, until September 6th, Connecticut children age 18 and under plus one accompanying adult can visit participating museums free of charge through the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program.

The program is part of Governor Lamont’s larger plan to use recovery funds to provide students and families with engaging summer enrichment and learning experiences in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From art and children's museums and historical sites to zoos, aquariums, and science centers, below is a list organized by county of those great destinations participating in #CTSummerMuseums:

Fairfield County; Hartford County; Litchfield County; Middlesex County; New Haven County; New London County; Tolland County; Windham County.

Make sure you check each museum for online advance ticketing and reservations, as they may be required.

Fairfield County

• Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield

• Bruce Museum, Greenwich

• Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport

• Danbury Museum & Historical Society, Danbury

• Discovery Museum, Bridgeport

• EverWonder Children's Museum, Newtown

• Fairfield Museum & History Center, Fairfield

• Greenwich Historical Society, Cos Cob

• Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center, Ridgefield

• Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, Norwalk

• Mather Homestead, Darien

• Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk

• MoCA, Westport

• Shelton History Center, Shelton

• Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Norwalk

In case you missed it, here is our Celebrating Courage video

Click on the image above to go to the video and also the gala sponsor videos in the COURAGE homepage

Schools adjourned for the year and our summer learning programs get underway next week as we celebrate the courage that saw us through the many challenges of the pandemic.

Looking back at it all, the 2020 school year felt like it lasted a decade. As we toggled among virtual, hybrid, and in-person instruction, as students set foot back in school, we are preparing for the challenges and opportunities in the coming year.

As America downshifts into a much-needed holiday break this weekend and resets for the summer, this Celebrating Courage video (including two music videos!) offers a brief moment of reflection on the surreal school year that just concluded.

Enjoy the Celebrating Courage video we all begin a rejuvenating July 4th holiday!

Free Classes and High School Art Competition at The Norwalk Art Space!

We are helping to spread the word of the upcoming free classes at The Norwalk Art Space!

There are a few spots still available for 13 to 18-year-olds (details below). Young artists can go here for more information and register.

They are also having an art competition for the same age group with prizes and opportunities to showcase their work around Norwalk.

Creativity for Change
Tuesdays | July 6, 13 | 3:30-6:30 pm | 2 weeks with Resident Artist Lorena SferslazzaFree and open to high school age students (13 - 18); up to 10 spots; registration required 

How do you make works of art that express YOU and inspire change? Join Resident Artist and Museum Educator Lorena Sferlazza for this interactive, two-part workshop series to ignite your creativity, learn from artists, and grow in the community. You will explore works of art on view in the Norwalk Art Space’s opening exhibition through close-looking, sketching, and mindfulness activities. Then, you’ll move to the studio space to create paintings, drawings, collages, and more that reflect who we are and the community we’d like to build. Registration required for up to 10 available spots; materials provided onsite.

Meaningful Still-life

Fridays | July 9 - August 6, 2021 | 11:00 - 1:00pm | 5 weeks with Resident Artist Emily Teall

Free and open to high school age students (13 - 18); up to 10 spots; registration required 

Students will create a still life from symbolic, narrative, nostalgic, or otherwise significant objects. Students are welcome to bring objects from home or to use those that will be provided. We will begin with realism but students will be encouraged to emphasize concepts and meaning through color, detail, and strategic placements. Students will experiment with a broad range of drawing materials and techniques.

For more information, [please contact Duvian Montoya, Artistic and Educational Director, The Norwalk Art Space.

Resident artists and fellows in the renovated building now housing The Norwalk Art Space. Read more about it my clicking on this im age!

Columbus Camp Parent Orientation via Zoom this Wednesday, 6/30, at 5:30 or 6:30 PM

Columbus Camp Directors Tremain Gilmore and Cherae Kingwood invite you to join them this Wednesday, 6/30, to learn about all the wonderful experiences they have prepared for your children this summer.  

Click here to join the 5:30 Zoom session.

Click here to join the 6:30 Zoom session.

Carver Center Summer Camp Parent Orientation Zoom-Meeting, Wednesday, June 30

Email our Carver Center Camp Director Waid Ramsubhag here to RSVP for either the 4 PM or 5 PM meeting you would like to participate in on Wednesday, June 30th.

This summer camp orientation meeting invitation is only for parents of youth attending the Carver Center Summer Camp.

Click here to join the 4 PM Zoom meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83731428651?pwd=WU5oUzl2TzhpUXV4VGRSU2piblRSZz09

Here is the Zoom link for the 5 PM meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86506321747?pwd=ZG5raXNHUTAzbUJrOWg3cHRXby9GQT09

Click on the image below to join us this evening at 7PM for our free gala streamed live!

Our 7th Annual Golf Classic was the best ever!

The pandemic receded just in time to give us a great day for fellowship and golf this past Monday.

The weather, the course, the club’s pros, Diageo’s refreshing drinks throughout the day, and the sumptuous lunch and dinner made our 7th annual golf event a day to remember. And we are forever thankful.

Together, more than 100 players, sponsors, and many other donors raised $113,000 for Carver kids.

The past 15 or so months changed the world, but not our mission. Carver kids are stepping out into the new world that awaits them.

It could be said that golf is a metaphor for the challenges and opportunities our students face. Like golf, school and life can be deceptively simple and endlessly complicated. School and career satisfy the soul and can forever frustrate the intellect. Like golf, life can be at once rewarding and frustratingly challenging. Balls take good and bad bounces. No other game combines the wonder of nature with the discipline needed for life in such carefully planned ways. Success depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character.

All of that may not have been on our minds during our golf outing, but the wonderful support we received via golf is most appropriate!

Please enjoy a few of the images of our day of golf in the slideshow below. All of the images we captured are here in our Facebook album.