Carver CEO and Team Engage in Crucial Education Equity Event in Fairfield County. See the videos!

On October 25th, 2023, Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin, accompanied by other dedicated Carver staff members and a motivated Carver student, actively participated in an impactful and insightful event to help shape the future of education and workforce development in Fairfield County.

Hosted by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation's (FCCF) Business Collaborative for Education Equity (BCEE), the event took place at the FactSet headquarters in Norwalk, drawing the attendance and attention of over 80 prominent business and community leaders.

This third video is of the panel discussion that includes Novelette Peterkin

A key highlight of the event was the engaging panel discussions. See the three videos of those discussions in this post.

The focus of the forum revolved around the presentation of findings from the FCCF comprehensive research study titled "Building Tomorrow's Workforce: Equitable Education and Career Pathways for Opportunity Youth in Fairfield County."

This effort emphasized the significance of forging effective partnerships and fostering cross-sector collaborations. The diverse array of voices, encompassing expertise, and lived experiences, brought forth a wealth of valuable insights, suggesting innovative ways to support the educational and career development of the youth in the region.

The BCEE, a dedicated local impact and funding collaborative, was established in 2020 with FCCF. With a resolute mission to address educational disparities among the most vulnerable youth in the Greater Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, and Stamford regions, the BCEE has already made considerable strides. Having awarded grants exceeding $400,000 to date, including grants awarded to support The Carver’s workforce development initiatives, the collaborative not only provides financial support but also fosters employee volunteerism, leveraging the expertise and resources of its partners.

For those seeking to delve deeper into the research findings or to actively contribute to local initiatives aimed at enhancing education equity, reaching out to FCCF's Liz Hoagland, the Director of Youth Education and Workforce Development, at lhoagland@fccfoundation.org, would be a promising step forward.

Moreover, companies aspiring to make a meaningful difference in the education landscape and leverage the benefits of BCEE membership are encouraged to visit the BCEE webpage or schedule a meeting with Rebecca Mandell, the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at FCCF, at rmandell@fccfoundation.org.

This collaborative effort towards fostering educational equity reflects a collective commitment to shaping a brighter and more inclusive future for the youth in Fairfield County, setting the stage for transformative changes in the educational landscape.

Carver Community Comes Together for Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive!

There are many ways to support your local community. One of the biggest is by voting in local elections which occur in odd years like this year. Go to myvote.ct.gov to find out more. #voteLOCAL

Click on the image obove to learn more!

Carver Elementary Students Get Creative Decorating Mini Pumpkins

Carver after-school students at Naramake Elementary School participated in a fun fall activity this week through Carver's After the Bell program.

The students decorated mini pumpkins using Q-tips and paint.

The instructor gave each student a small pumpkin, Q-tips, and various fall-colored paints.

The students learned about pumpkin growing seasons and the process pumpkins go through before getting carved for Halloween.

Then, the students got creative by dipping the Q-tips in paint and making dots, lines, and shapes on their mini pumpkins.

Some students made polka dot or striped patterns, while others tried painting simple pictures like jack-o-lantern faces.

The students had a blast getting messy and turning their mini pumpkins into tiny works of art.

This hands-on activity helped them explore their creativity while learning about Fall traditions.

The decorated pumpkins will create a fun classroom display leading up to Halloween.

Please join us for Carver's Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors

New Report Finds 63,000 'Disconnected' CT Youth, Sparking Calls for Greater Coordination and Investment

The report was discussed at the Carver Community Center on Thursday, October 19th. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and a panel of leaders, including Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin, conducted the first of five regional roundtables calling attention to a crisis affecting young people in Connecticut who are off-track or disconnected from education or employment.

The other panelists at the Carver Community Center were (L-R) Mendi Blue Paca, Fairfield County's Community Foundation; Mike Duggan, Domus Kids; Marc Donald, RYASAP; Emily Pallin, Connecticut RISE Network; and next to Novelette, Mayor Harry Rilling, Mayor of Norwalk.

The new report (see Dan Harr’s article about the report here in CT Insider) commissioned by Dalio Education and compiled by the Boston Consulting Group reveals startling statistics about Connecticut's youth. The report, titled "Connecticut's Unspoken Crisis: Getting Young People Back on Track," finds that nearly 63,000 young people aged 14-26 in Connecticut are "disconnected" - meaning they have dropped out of high school, graduated but are not working, or are at risk of not graduating.

See the video below of this first regional roundtable discussion at the Carver Community Center.

Hello, World!

The report paints a sobering picture of a "lost generation" of young people in Connecticut who are not on track educationally or vocationally. The information goes beyond just raising awareness of the issue. It calls for greater coordination between the many local and state agencies interacting with disconnected youth. Specific recommendations include designating offices and positions in every municipality focused on overseeing efforts and improving collaboration.

The report's findings have sparked calls for more investment in solutions. Groups like the Campaign for Working Connecticut advocate for "public and private investment in young people" to address the crisis.

This report's compilation of detailed data across eight state agencies is unique - the first time such comprehensive information has been brought together. It provides a fact-based foundation for understanding the scope of youth disconnection in Connecticut.

The implications of the report are far-reaching. With nearly one in five youth disconnected, Connecticut faces real challenges. But by sounding the alarm and promoting coordinated efforts, the report aims to put the state on a path to ensure all young people are educationally engaged and vocationally prepared. Addressing this "unspoken crisis" is critical for Connecticut's future.

Shining a Light on the Importance of Afterschool Programs

On October 27th, afterschool supporters nationwide will celebrate the 24th annual Lights On Afterschool event. This nationwide rally organized by the Afterschool Alliance aims to showcase the vital role afterschool programs play in our communities.

The event calls attention to the ways quality afterschool programs help students succeed in school and in life. Participating in afterschool programs will open their doors to allow community members to see firsthand the innovative learning opportunities offered before and after the regular school day.

From STEM activities to physical fitness and academic support to hands-on learning experiences, afterschool programs nurture students' talents and prepare them for the future. Lights On Afterschool celebrates the students who attend these programs and the staff, parents, and advocates who believe in the immense value of afterschool.

This year's Lights On Afterschool reminds us that students' needs and challenges continue to evolve. Our afterschool programs must innovate and expand to provide the services students require to thrive. Join us on October 27th as we shine a light on the dedication of afterschool supporters and the inspiring work they do for our youth every day.

Experience the Variety of Academic Pathways at the Norwalk High School Showcase

On Thursday, November 2nd, Norwalk Public Schools will host its 3rd annual High School Showcase event in the Community Room at the Center for Global Studies. This event allows 8th-grade students and families to learn about the diverse academic pathways offered across Norwalk's four high schools.

Representatives from Brien McMahon High School, Norwalk High School, P-TECH Norwalk, and the Center for Global Studies will have interactive booths showcasing each school's unique programs. Students can speak directly with teachers and administrators to get a feel for each high school's learning environment and course offerings.

Whether students' interests lie in STEM, global studies, finance, or creative arts, they will discover a high school with customized educational pathways to match their passions and goals. Families are encouraged to attend together to see what Norwalk Public Schools offers.

The High School Showcase provides the perfect chance for 8th graders to shape their high school experience before course selection and enrollment. Come with questions and see why Norwalk Public Schools provides the right school for every student!

Carver volunteer, Avery Cotton, Honored with New Canaan Community Foundation Youth-MVP Volunteer Award

A few days ago, we wrote about the New Canaan Community Foundation Volunteer Awards ceremony on October 19th in the New Canaan Town Hall. At that event, our application presenting Avery Cotton as our candidate for an award was read aloud. Here is what the Carver community said about our good friend, Avery!

Avery Cotton is an absolute rockstar volunteer who runs insightful, detailed bird watching programs for our students. At first glance, bird watching may seem an unlikely supplement to an educational organization. But still, Avery comes to us with binoculars, guidebooks, and presentations to share his love for conservation with many children... And without fail, he engages entire classrooms. If you have ever spent time in elementary or middle school spaces, you understand the magnitude of that accomplishment. We cannot overstate how grateful we are for Avery. He is a young volunteer who is rare in his dedication and gifted in his instructive skills.

Our teachers say they don’t believe Avery is still a high school student. He is patient and gentle with even the most boisterous elementary schoolers. He can meet them at their level and introduce them to bird watching in an accessible way. As many of our students don't have the opportunity to take afternoon walks through land trusts or conservation spaces, Avery shows them how to identify urban and suburban species. He enacts a kind of magic. Suddenly, a chickadee is a delight, a blue jay a revelation.

What Avery does is genuinely indispensable for our students. As the Carver endeavors to nurture academic excellence in our students, we also endeavor to provide them supplemental enrichment in equal measure. Enrichments allow our students to discover passions, stretch their creative legs, and bolster their enjoyment of academic spaces. Avery’s bird watching classes do all this and provide an additional edge: they inspire our kids to get outside. As our world becomes increasingly digital and attention spans increasingly shorter, Avery encourages our students to slow down, breathe, and notice. 

You can read more about the last time Avery volunteered with us here.

Avery is already known as a volunteer in New Canaan for his service to the New Canaan Land Trust. We can only hope that we beat them to the nomination! He embodies the spirit of a Youth MVP, and we are privileged to have him as a Carver volunteer.

Damari Rogers: From Carver Volunteer to Corporate Aspirations at Johnson & Wales University

Damari and Sariah Rogers

When selfless dedication meets unwavering ambition, a story of triumph is etched into the hearts of all those touched by its warmth. Damari Rogers, a name synonymous with compassion and leadership at The Carver, has begun his next chapter at Johnson & Wales University, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire both on and off the basketball court.

During his time at The Carver, Damari served as a beacon of guidance for students, supporting them academically and coaching them on the basketball court during after-school hours. His commitment and passion for nurturing young talents swiftly earned him a place as one of the most beloved basketball coaches in The Carver's history. His influence extended beyond the court, fostering an environment of personal growth and community spirit.

See the video here

Before he departed for university, Damari had already carved an impressive path at Norwalk High School, where he not only left his mark on the varsity basketball team for three consecutive years but also made waves by playing while his sister Sariah Rogers was a standout player on the Girls Varsity Basketball team simultaneously.

Now, as Damari embarks on his academic journey at Johnson & Wales University, he sets his sights on a future in the world of business administration. With aspirations to intern at the renowned Charlotte Panthers stadium, a partner of the university, Damari is laying the groundwork for a career that mirrors his dedication to excellence.

Damari recently shared with us his deep gratitude to The Carver for instilling invaluable social skills and professionalism in him. Reflecting on his time here, he emphasized the importance of learning and absorbing every opportunity The Carver presented, highlighting the immeasurable value of personal relationships, mentorships, and an unwavering support system.

As Damari Rogers paves his way toward a promising future, he remains a shining example of the transformative power of dedication, perseverance, and the unwavering support of a nurturing community. His journey is a testament to a single individual's impact on an entire community, and we eagerly await the next chapter in the remarkable story of this rising star.