United Nations "International Youth Day" is today!

The theme of International Youth Day 2021, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, highlights the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.

During the 2021 ECOSOC Youth Forum (EYF), the issues and priorities highlighted by young participants included the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly related to its effect on human health, the environment, and food systems. As part of the official outcome recommendations of the EYF, young participants stressed the importance of working towards more equitable food systems. In addition, they highlighted the need for youth to make informed decisions on food choices through increasing global education on the healthiest and most sustainable options for both individuals and the environment. There were also recommendations on providing adequate capacity development with respect to the resilience of food systems, in particular during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in its aftermath.

NeighborShare: How Elsie Lopez works to close the opportunity gap

NeighborShare is a direct giving platform that empowers donors to help others make ends meet within an ecosystem of trust. Carver was an inaugural participating charity at the outset of the pandemic. Today, Neighborshare is nationwide and thriving.

Here is a NeighborShare “Frontline Hero Spotlight” about Carver’s Elsie Lopez!

When Elsie Lopez first met Leah*, Leah had just moved to the area and was miserable.

“She hated it here,” Elsie says. “She said it was cold, she didn’t have any friends, she didn’t speak the language…she’d come in my office and cry, but I promised her that things would change”

Elsie is the executive administrator at the Carver Foundation of Norwalk, an education nonprofit in Norwalk, Connecticut. Partnering with schools to provide before and after school programs and summer camps for grades K-12, the foundation offers extra support and more personalized attention for students like Leah. So when Leah stopped showing up to the program one day, Elsie and her coworkers were on it immediately.

“I was beside myself because I thought we’d lost her,” Elsie says. “But we were able to speak with her parents and bring her back to the program.”

Years later, at a STEM fair, Elsie ran into that same young lady.

“A young lady comes up[to me], looks straight at my face, and I looked in her eyes and remembered her,” Elsie says. “She just threw herself into my arms and hugged me. She’s now in middle school, speaks the language fluently, and has friends.”

Leah’s story could have gone very differently. For many students, a prolonged absence would have been noticed too late or been ignored. But because of the Carver Foundation’s personal investment in each individual student, Leah didn’t slip through the cracks.

Read the rest of the story here!

Side by Side Charter School summer student music video!

Carver has been working with Norwalk’s only public charter school, Side by Side Charter School (SBS), after-school for years. This summer we joined with SBS in creating a five-week summer program for their students.

This is a student-driven music video, receiving support from many staff who join in the dancing later in the video, but mostly teacher Nicole Shagoury and especially teacher Brooke Amigo guided this summer enrichment project. The song they are singing is “Can’t stop the feeling” by Justin Timberlake.

SBS operates on the St. Joseph's church campus in South Norwalk. SBS recently constructed a new two-story, 11,600-square-foot building that houses the school’s upper-grade classrooms. All SBS facilities were utilized for our summer program.

Free virtual World Summit conference celebrating girls in STEM!

World Summit is an annual conference hosted by @TechnovationGlobal! We are excited to celebrate and hear from girls around the world using technology to improve their communities!

• What: World Summit 2021

• When: August 12-13, 2021

• Where: Virtual - Register Here

• Hear powerful stories of girls in tech

This year’s event has a stellar lineup that includes Mari Copeny (aka Little Miss Flint), Stefania Giannini (UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education), Astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps, Technovation Finalists pitching their apps, and much more!

Technovation is a global tech education nonprofit that empowers girls and families to become leaders, creators, and problem-solvers. They offer two programs – Technovation Girls and Technovation Families – which bring kids and adults together to solve big problems in their communities.

Celebrate girls and women in STEM during this 2-day event!

Get your FREE ticket here:  https://hopin.com/events/world-summit

Carver's rising 9th graders exhibit their excellent work at The Norwalk Art Space

The Norwalk Art Space hosted a student exhibition of Carver’s Brien McMahon 9th Grade Summer Transition Program yesterday.

Our rising 9th-grade students have been taking classes this summer in English, Social Studies, Math, Science, Visual & Performing Arts, and "High School 101" along with various enrichment activities over the course of five weeks. Enrichments included rowing classes provided by the Norwalk River Rowing Association, art classes by the Norwalk Art Space, cooking classes, physical education, peer mentorships.

After nearly two years of planning, the Norwalk Art Space officially opened its doors on June 5th, transforming the historic building into a museum-like art gallery, Sculpture Garden, and outdoor space for live music and much else.

Their mission is to create opportunities and equity in the local arts community by promoting local artists, including Carver kids.

The 1935 building was renamed the ADK House to honor renowned lawyer and civil rights advocate Alexandra Davern Korry (1959-2020), whose vision was to create the gallery. She purchased the building in 2019 and spent the last year of her life remodeling and planning the gallery before her death from ovarian cancer. Her legacy and spirit live on in the space.

Let the city know your thoughts about the redevelopment of the area around the South Norwalk train station

The Norwalk Redevelopment Agency seeks your input in a survey concerning the area around the South Norwalk train station.

Under the guidance of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and the City of Norwalk, a study of the area surrounding the South Norwalk Train Station is underway.

Part of their goal is to give the public opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas on potential changes and improvements to the area. Earlier in the year, they organized the first public meeting and are aiming for the next to happen in the fall.

In the meantime, they are currently circulating this survey to help the city learn more from those who live in, work in and visit Norwalk. The survey is being mailed, emailed, posted online like this blog post, and, hopefully, shared by you and many other Norwalk community members. 

 Would you please share this invitation for participation with your networks—your organization’s network, your social network, and your personal network—the link to the survey for them to complete the questionnaire and ask them to send it to others?  

The image below contains a short explanation, links to the survey and more information, and a QR code to the survey for people to scan.

Thank you for helping us give the people of Norwalk a chance to contribute to the conversation.

West Rocks rising 6th graders soar at Sky Zone!

If Carver kids ever watched the Olympics and thought "I could totally do that," today was their chance. Our rising 6th graders enjoyed all of the fun when they tried their Olympic moves out at Sky Zone in Norwalk.

Sky Zone is the originator of wall-to-wall aerial action, and they never stand still. They’re always working to invent epic new ways to play, gather, and compete. The only way to understand it is to come to experience it.

And that is just what Mr. Micheal Richards, West Rock Middle School’s 6th-grade social studies teacher and leader of our summer transition program for rising 6th graders, and his summer students did today.

Our West Rocks summer students let go of gravity today and grabbed some air on the sprawling wall-to-wall trampoline courts. They challenged each other to show off their inner acrobat.

The Foam Zone is all about big air and soft landings. This is the ideal area to practice their most daring stunts safely into a pool of huge foam squares. Part trampolining, part parkour, part skating vert ramp,

The Wall added an entirely new dimension to the aerial experience, offering a canvas for a different type of expression—no harness necessary. Carver kids put their strength and stamina to the test as they hang over the pit, free climbing this challenging bouldering wall.

Carver kids reached new heights while flipping and jumping and climbing today!

Sky Zone is part of CircusTrix, the world’s largest developer, operator, and franchisor of trampoline and active entertainment parks with a network of more than 300 global locations.

Maritime Aquarium sea creatures visit rising 6th graders at West Rocks Middle School

The Maritime Aquarium is a longtime Carver before and after-school and summer program partner.

They are integral to our STEAM project-based and hands-on learning experiences.

Our students also regularly visit the aquarium where they get to know the five seals there, Ariel, Leila, Polly, Rasal, and Tillie — and much else! These seals have even more room now to swim and relax now that have the new addition just opened that evokes their natural environment: a classic New England cove.

Here are West Rocks rising 6th graders being introduced to their new school — and Long Island Sound sea creatures — by Michael Richards, the school’s 6th grade Social Studies Teacher, who also leads our summer and after-school programs there.

Carver summer transition programs are designed to help incoming 6th and 9th-grade students transition into Norwalk’s four middle and two high schools.

Programming includes individualized instruction, parental involvement, small group learning experiences, diverse enrichment activities, free transportation, and full-day activities benefiting working families.

Students learn the basics of navigating their respective new schools. The incoming 9th-graders learn how to read a transcript, understand graduation requirements, earn credits in courses, and look ahead to potential career options. Students use Naviance/Family Connection to develop an individualized Student Success Plan.

Kids Helping Kids youth donate 120 backpacks bursting with school supplies for Carver kids!

Kids Helping Kids (KHK) is a nonprofit partner that empowers kids to turn empathy into action by designing and implementing service projects that benefit other children in the community.

All their projects are created, planned, and led by youth. They provide meaningful and enriching experiences, foster personal connections, help youth develop critical 21st-century skills, and fill a need for kids throughout the community such as Carver students.

KHK volunteers are elementary through high school students who are looking for opportunities to make an impact in their community. The unique KHK model provides an opportunity for kids to become actively engaged in their community while developing critical skills, finding their voice as leaders, and making service a part of their lives.

Thank you KHK for equipping Carver kids for the upcoming school year!

Vaccination is easy, accessible & convenient in Norwalk this week!

There are multiple opportunities to receive the #COVID19 vaccine this week. Clinics are offered with different vaccines, various times, & multiple locations. More: http://norwalkct.org/vaccine.