Carver Student Alinson Morales Wins Optimum Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest, Earning Regional Honors and a College Scholarship

Rayshonda Mitchell, Carver’s Future Readiness Coordinator and Alinson Morales, a student at Brien McMahon High School

Carver is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Alinson Morales, a student at Brien McMahon High School, who has been named the Optimum East High School Winner of the Optimum Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest. This competitive, multi-state program recognizes exceptional student writing, reflection, and cultural insight.

Open annually to students in grades 6–12 across Optimum’s service area, the Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest invites young people to write about how a person, cultural experience, celebration, or tradition connects them to Hispanic culture. Winners are selected for essays that demonstrate strong writing, authentic personal reflection, and a compelling connection to heritage and identity. This year’s submissions came from across the region, with runners-up representing states as far away as Texas, underscoring the significance of Alinson’s achievement. Now in its 18th year, the program received more than 1,500 entries.

Alinson’s essay stood out for its thoughtful exploration of the meaningful aspects of her background, family, and community—experiences that have shaped her values, sense of responsibility, and aspirations for the future. As the Optimum East High School winner, Alinson received a $3,000 Hispanic Heritage college scholarship, and her accomplishment is now prominently recognized on Optimum’s Hispanic Heritage Month website.

Here is an excerpt from the Brien McMahon High School website:

Alinson’s essay explored her Guatemalan roots through her family’s tradition of hair braiding. Throughout her life, her grandmother and mother braided her hair with practiced, loving hands. Yet Alinson herself never learned the art. For years, that gap made her feel distanced from her culture.

Over time, she realized that her identity and connection to her heritage aren’t defined by any single skill or tradition. While she may not braid like her mother and grandmother, her family relationships and the time spent enjoying this shared activity with them firmly tie her to her culture.

A student of Brien McMahon High School, within Optimum’s service footprint, Alinson plans to pursue a career in pediatric nursing—a path deeply aligned with the themes of service, care, and commitment to future generations that often define winning essays in this program. This regional recognition signals that she is already distinguishing herself academically and personally, strengthening her college and scholarship applications well beyond this single award.

Alinson is currently a paid Carver intern working in Carver’s After the Bell program.

Throughout her high school journey, Alinson has been supported and mentored by Rayshonda Mitchell, Carver’s Future Readiness Coordinator, who has worked closely with her to navigate academic goals, internship opportunities, and long-term planning. Their partnership reflects the power of consistent mentorship and encouragement—ensuring that talented students like Alinson not only find their voice, but are prepared to use it with confidence and purpose.

Alinson’s success is a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are supported, challenged, and given opportunities to reflect on who they are and who they hope to become. Carver congratulates Alinson Morales on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to all that lies ahead as she continues her journey toward a career rooted in compassion, service, and community impact.

When One Chapter Closes, Another Opens: SVFC Association Entrusts Its Legacy to Carver

Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin by Yves Berliet, Treasurer of SVFC Association Corp

As communities grow and change, so do the organizations that serve them. Sometimes, an ending is not an ending at all—but a careful, hopeful handoff.

Carver was honored today to receive a $7,342.89 gift from the SVFC Association, a longtime youth soccer organization in Norwalk. The check was presented to Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin by Yves Berliet, Treasurer of SVFC Association Corp, in a moment that marked both the conclusion of one chapter and the continuation of a deeply shared mission.

For years, the SVFC Association has existed for a simple and powerful purpose: to promote and grow soccer for Norwalk’s children and teens. From its founding, SVFC has worked to provide young people with opportunities to participate in organized soccer, develop their skills and teamwork, and experience the joy, discipline, and connection that sports can bring. Families, volunteers, and community partners were all part of that effort, creating a positive and inclusive environment where youth could be active, learn sportsmanship, and feel a sense of belonging.

As the SVFC Association formally dissolved, its Board of Directors made a deliberate and values-driven decision. In accordance with Connecticut law governing charitable assets, the Association transferred its remaining funds to Carver, with the expressed wish that they be used to support soccer-related activities for Carver students—ensuring that the spirit and purpose of SVFC would live on through new opportunities for Norwalk youth.

This gift is an act of trust. It reflects a belief that Carver’s programs are aligned with SVFC’s original mission and that the love of the game, the lessons learned on the field, and the sense of community fostered through soccer will continue to shape young lives.

At Carver, we see this moment as a bridge between generations of service. One organization’s journey has reached its natural conclusion, and in doing so, it has helped open doors for the next generation of children—to run, play, learn, and grow.

We are deeply grateful to the SVFC Association, its Board, and its volunteers for their years of dedication to Norwalk’s youth, and for ensuring that their legacy continues in a new form. Because when something ends with intention and care, it creates space for new beginnings—and for Carver kids, that future is already taking shape on the field.

Sweet Learning After the Bell: Gingerbread STEAM at Brookside Elementary

At Brookside Elementary School, learning doesn’t stop when the final bell rings—it just gets a little sweeter.

Recently, Carver’s After the Bell students rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on gingerbread house activity led by Monica Cervantes, a dedicated Brookside daytime teacher and Carver staff member who manages the After the Bell program at the school. What looked like a festive holiday project quickly became an engaging STEAM experience filled with creativity, problem-solving, and joyful collaboration.

Armed with graham crackers, icing, and colorful decorations, students set out to design and build their own gingerbread houses. Along the way, they explored core engineering and design concepts—figuring out how to create stable structures, testing what worked (and what didn’t), and revising their plans in real time. Measuring ingredients, estimating quantities, and balancing shapes brought in math skills, while discussions about structure and materials introduced science thinking in an age-appropriate, accessible way.

Just as important, the activity encouraged artistic expression and teamwork. Each gingerbread house reflected a student’s personality and imagination, while shared supplies and group problem-solving fostered communication, patience, and cooperation. Monica’s warm guidance and classroom expertise helped create an environment where students felt free to experiment, take risks, and learn through play.

This is what After the Bell is all about: extending the school day with enriching experiences that make learning feel fun, relevant, and memorable. Thanks to caring educators like Monica Cervantes, Brookside students are discovering that STEAM learning can happen anywhere—even with a little icing on top.

Shining a Light on Our Students: Join Carver in this Season of Giving

Carver Thanks Near & Far Aid for Its Longstanding Partnership and a New $15,000 Grant Supporting Our Mission

Carver is honored to once again receive generous support from Near & Far Aid, an extraordinary all-volunteer fundraising and grant-making organization that makes a positive impact on thousands of people in Fairfield County by granting over $1 million each year to well-vetted local agencies addressing poverty and changing lives. They have been strengthening Fairfield County communities for more than 75 years.

This year, Near & Far Aid awarded Carver a $15,000 general operating grant, providing essential resources that directly support our year-round programs serving nearly 3,000 children and teens across Norwalk.

This gift continues a partnership that spans many years—one rooted in shared values, a shared commitment to families, and a shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. Near & Far Aid’s steadfast support has helped Carver expand academic enrichment, STEAM learning, college and career readiness, family engagement, wellness initiatives, and workforce development—programs that depend on flexible funding to remain strong and responsive to student needs.

About Near & Far Aid

Near & Far Aid is a remarkable example of community generosity in action. Entirely volunteer-run, the organization raises and grants more than $1 million annually to over 80–100 local nonprofits working to eliminate the causes and effects of poverty in Fairfield County. Rather than providing direct services, Near & Far Aid acts as a powerful philanthropic engine—directing funds from gala events, house tours, golf outings, individual supporters, and corporate sponsors straight to frontline agencies creating long-term change.

Its mission focuses on both immediate needs and sustainable solutions, supporting work in:

• housing and homelessness

• hunger and food security

• education and youth development

• family services

• programs empowering women and children

Like Carver, Near & Far Aid has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting exemplary accountability, transparency, and financial stewardship—qualities that have made it one of the most respected anti-poverty grantmakers in Fairfield County since its founding in the 1940s.

Why This Grant Matters

General operating support is among the most meaningful forms of philanthropy. It strengthens the core of Carver’s work—our people, our programs, and our ability to respond to the needs of young people and families in real time. This $15,000 grant will immediately help Carver continue delivering high-quality, research-informed enrichment and support programs across Norwalk’s elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as at the Carver Community Center.

With Gratitude

To Near & Far Aid’s dedicated volunteers, board members, donors, and event supporters: thank you. Your leadership and generosity have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of children and families across our community. Carver is proud to be one of the many local nonprofits strengthened by your compassion and commitment.

We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership and building brighter futures together.

Sweet Creativity at Carver: Jr. YDP Students Build Gingerbread Magic for the Holidays

Carver Middle School students in our Jr. Youth Development Program (Jr. YDP) filled the Carver Community Center with imagination, teamwork, and the unmistakable scent of holiday cheer this week as they designed and built their own gingerbread houses.

What began as a simple seasonal activity quickly turned into an afternoon of creative problem-solving, engineering, and joyful collaboration. Students sketched ideas, experimented with structure and balance, and discovered that icing can make a surprisingly effective adhesive. With candy shingles, pretzel fences, gumdrop pathways, and plenty of laughter, each gingerbread house became a unique expression of its young creators.

Activities like this are more than just fun—they build confidence, fine motor skills, and a sense of accomplishment. They also give students a chance to unwind, bond with peers, and feel the magic of the season in a safe, supportive environment.

We are so proud of our Jr. YDP students for embracing both the challenge and the joy of building something together. Their gingerbread masterpieces—and the smiles that went with them—are a sweet reminder of what makes Carver such a special place for young people to grow and thrive.

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Carver!

Sparkling Creativity: After the Bell Students Make Their Own Holiday Ornaments

There is something magical about creating a keepsake with your own hands—especially during the holiday season. This week, with support from Mrs. Laura, in The Carver’s After the Bell program, elementary students stepped into that magic as they designed and decorated their own holiday ornaments under the joyful guidance of Monica Cervantes, one of Carver’s longtime program leaders who brings boundless creativity to every activity she leads.

What looked like a fun afternoon of glitter, paint, and tiny treasures was also a meaningful learning experience. As students chose colors, patterns, and materials, they practiced creativity, explored self-expression, and took pride in making something uniquely their own. Every careful brushstroke and glued-on detail helped strengthen their fine motor skills, building confidence through hands-on problem-solving.

But perhaps the best part came at the end—when each child held up their finished ornament and imagined where it would hang. For some, it will brighten the family Christmas tree. For others, it will become a cherished gift. And for all of them, it will serve as a small, handmade reminder of a happy moment spent learning, laughing, and creating together after school.

Monica and the entire After the Bell team design activities like this to help students build memories that last far beyond a single season. These ornaments may sparkle for the holidays, but the skills and joy behind them will carry our students into the new year and beyond.

How a Community Creates Holiday Magic: The Making of Carver’s Annual Holiday Party

Joan and John de Regt with Carver Chief Advancement Officer, Kailee Scales

Every December, something extraordinary happens at the Carver Community Center. What begins as a gymnasium or multipurpose room transforms into a holiday wonderland—bursting with color, joy, and the unmistakable feeling of being cared for. The Carver Holiday Party is one of our most heartwarming traditions, not because of any single moment, but because of the hundreds of generous acts that make it possible.

This year’s celebration, taking place on Friday, December 12th, is made possible by a community of volunteers and partners who bring the spirit of the season to life for Carver kids and their families. Today, longtime Carver volunteers and champions Joan and John de Regt delivered a mountain of new donated gifts to the Carver Community Center—bright packages that volunteers will wrap and that children in our community will soon unwrap. Their delivery is just one part of a beautiful tapestry of giving.

For more than a decade, the 11th-grade class at St. Luke’s School has been at the heart of this celebration. Each year, these students arrive ready to spread joy—with Santa himself in tow—leading games, dancing with kids, helping with crafts, serving snacks, and, most importantly, handing out gifts with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. Their presence brings a magical energy that children look forward to all year long.

Behind the scenes, volunteers help sort and wrap hundreds of gifts to ensure that every child aged 13 and younger receives something special. These gifts represent the collective kindness of neighbors across Norwalk and Rowayton, including a treasured annual effort that has shaped this tradition for years: the Mike Barbis Santa Toy Drive.

Co-founded by Joan DeRegt and named in honor of the late Mike Barbis—Rowayton’s former commissioner and a beloved advocate for Carver—the Santa Toy Drive continues to shine as one of the most meaningful acts of community generosity during the holidays. In partnership with the Rowayton Civic Association, the Rowayton Fire Department gathers an abundance of toys, books, sports equipment, and gift cards each year. Their drive ensures that not only the Carver Holiday Party, but several additional holiday events, are filled with gifts and good cheer.

Today’s delivery from Joan and John de Regt is a reminder of the power of this beloved tradition. The gifts they brought reflect more than holiday fun—they symbolize generosity, connection, and a community united in love for its children.

As we prepare for Friday’s celebration, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributes to this magical season. Whether you donated a toy, wrapped a gift, volunteered your time, or helped share the joy, you are part of what makes this holiday party—and this community—shine.

Thank you, Rowayton. Thank you, St. Luke’s School. Thank you to every volunteer and donor who keeps the spirit of giving alive—not just during the holidays, but all year long. The magic you create will stay in the hearts of Carver children for years to come.

Celebrating Community Generosity: Altar’d State’s SoNo Store Donates Over $3,500 to Carver Through Mission Monday

Carver is honored to be the beneficiary of Altar’d State’s Mission Monday campaign, a three-month giving initiative that ran this fall at The SoNo Collection. This partnership was made especially meaningful by the leadership of Samantha Tiano, Store Manager at Altar’d State’s SoNo location—and a proud graduate of Norwalk Public Schools. Samantha and her colleagues shared that they were thrilled to support Carver, an organization close to their hearts and deeply connected to their own Norwalk community.

Thanks to their effort and the generosity of their customers, Carver recently received a donation of just over $3,500 to help power our academic, enrichment, and youth development programs.

A Boutique With a Mission

Altar’d State at The SoNo Collection is more than a women’s fashion boutique. True to its “fashion-focused, cause-motivated” identity, the store pairs its retail experience with a commitment to local philanthropy. The brand’s give-back philosophy is woven into every location, including Norwalk, where staff intentionally support programs that strengthen the community they call home.

What Is Mission Monday?

Mission Monday is Altar’d State’s signature philanthropic initiative. During each campaign period, 10% of all net proceeds from Monday sales are donated to a selected nonprofit. Each store chooses organizations within its own community—ensuring that local dollars support local impact.

For three months this fall, the SoNo store selected Carver as its Mission Monday partner. Shoppers were welcomed with in-store signage spotlighting Carver’s mission, and many visited specifically on Mondays to ensure their purchases helped Norwalk students thrive.

Standing Out for Good

The SoNo team lives the Altar’d State mantra of “standing out for good” by forming genuine relationships with the organizations they support. The partnership with Carver reflects their commitment not just to donate, but to engage. From conversations with staff to learning more about Carver’s programs, the store embraced the opportunity to give back to a nonprofit serving Norwalk’s youth through academic support, wellness, leadership, and college- and career-readiness initiatives.

A Heartfelt Thank-You

Carver extends its deepest gratitude to Samantha Tiano, the entire SoNo Altar’d State team, and every shopper who made Mission Monday a success. This gift helps ensure that Carver students have access to the opportunities, enrichment, and encouragement they deserve.

Together, we are strengthening our community—one Monday, one act of generosity, and one young person at a time.

Carver and GivingTuesday, December 2, 2025

Celebrating a Global Movement of Radical Generosity

Tomorrow's Giving Tuesday began as a simple idea: a day that invites people everywhere to practice generosity in all its forms. Today, it has grown into a global movement that inspires millions to show up for one another and strengthen their communities. At Carver, this spirit is woven deeply into everything we do—and into the thousands of students and families we stand beside each year.

GivingTuesday imagines a world built on shared humanity and everyday generosity. That vision is alive in every Carver classroom and every after-school program, where students discover their strengths, build confidence, and thrive because of people who believe in them.

Whether it's making someone smile, helping a neighbor, mentoring a student, or giving resources to lift up families, every act of generosity counts. And everyone—everyone—has something to give.

On GivingTuesday 2025, Carver joins the world in celebrating this movement of radical generosity. Your support makes it possible for Carver students to access academic help, STEAM enrichment, wellness activities, college and career support, and caring adults who walk with them every step of the way.

When you give to Carver, you are not just supporting programs—you are opening doors. You are fueling futures. You are telling young people that their dreams matter.

On this year’s Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in making the world a little brighter for thousands of young people.

Thank you for believing in Carver. Thank you for believing in generosity. And thank you for all you make possible, today and every day.