Apply Now for the Greater Fairfield County Foundation, Inc. 2026 Scholarship

The Greater Fairfield County Foundation, Inc. is now accepting applications for its 2026 Scholarship Program, offering $4,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Fairfield County, Connecticut. This annual opportunity is designed to support students as they take the next step toward college, community college, or technical school. Applications are being accepted through March 30, 2026.

Interested students may apply online here.

To be eligible, applicants must be graduating high school students who live in and/or attend high school in Fairfield County, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, plan to enroll in a 4-year college or university, community college, or technical school, and be able to demonstrate financial need. Required application materials include a school transcript, SAT/ACT score report, a brief essay responding to the topic provided in the application, two letters of recommendation, and a photo of the student applicant.

Questions about eligibility, technical issues, or the application process may be directed to the Greater Fairfield County Scholarship Committee at gfcfsecretary@gmail.com.

Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin Joins Regional Leaders for SOUL Fund Panel on Youth Career Pathways

Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin was honored to participate as a panelist at a recent SOUL Fund Member Engagement event in Stamford, joining regional nonprofit leaders for an inspiring conversation about expanding career pathways for young people.

Hosted by Susan Johnson, a member of the SOUL Fund Steering Committee, the gathering brought together members and guests of the SOUL Fund at First United Methodist Church in Stamford for an evening of community dialogue, fellowship, and shared commitment to opportunity for Fairfield County youth.

The panel discussion, moderated by Marie Rocha of the SOUL Fund Steering Committee, featured leaders working across the region to connect young people with meaningful career pathways. Panelists included Gwendolyn Brantley of ACCESS Educational Services, Pam Lewis of Connect Us, Inc., Dominique Moore of My Architecture Workshop, and Novelette Peterkin of Carver.

During the conversation, panelists shared insights on the importance of early exposure to career opportunities, mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences that prepare young people for success in school, college, and the workforce. Novelette highlighted Carver’s longstanding commitment to helping students discover their potential through academic enrichment, STEAM learning, leadership development, and workforce readiness initiatives that reach students across Norwalk and Bridgeport.

The event was organized by the SOUL Fund, a community-led giving circle housed at Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. Since its launch, the fund has grown to more than 110 members and is preparing to award $50,000 in grants this spring to Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits in Fairfield County.

Carver is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation and to stand alongside other organizations working to expand opportunity for young people throughout the region.

Events like this remind us that when communities come together to invest in youth, we create pathways to brighter futures for everyone.

From Learning Time to Global Opportunity: The Carver Model

Carver’s approach demonstrates how strategic partnerships, expanded learning time, and data-driven programming can create a scalable pathway to student success.

Across the world, education leaders are asking an urgent question: How do we prepare young people to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy?

At Carver, we believe the answer begins with expanding opportunity for students beyond the traditional school day—and ensuring that the time students spend learning truly prepares them for the future.

High-performing education systems consistently share three common characteristics: strong academic foundations, meaningful learning time, and the development of the social and emotional skills required for leadership, innovation, and collaboration. These principles guide what we call The Carver Model.

The Carver Model illustrates how our programs work together to prepare students for long-term success.

Expanding Learning Time

Research shows that students benefit from additional opportunities to learn outside the traditional school schedule. Carver programs extend learning through tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment experiences that reinforce classroom instruction while building curiosity and confidence.

Strengthening STEM and Academic Proficiency

Strong foundations in literacy, mathematics, and science remain essential for success in college and careers. Carver students participate in programs that support academic growth while introducing hands-on STEM experiences that spark interest in future fields of study.

Developing Future-Ready Skills

In today’s rapidly evolving workforce, success requires more than academic knowledge alone. Students must also develop persistence, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Carver programs help cultivate these skills through collaborative projects, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

Opening Doors to College and Careers

By connecting students to internships, career exploration, and college exposure, Carver helps young people envision—and prepare for—their future. These opportunities ensure that students graduate ready to succeed in higher education, the workforce, and civic life.

Carver’s work is rooted in a simple idea: when students gain more time to learn, stronger academic skills, and the confidence to lead, they are prepared not only to graduate—but to compete and thrive in a global world.

Every day, through partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations, Carver is helping young people build that future.

And the pathway begins right here in our own community.

A Powerful Way to Support Norwalk’s Youth: Consider a Grant from Your Donor-Advised Fund

Carver was one of the inaugural honorees inducted into the Center for Nonprofit Excellence Hall of Fame in 2019. Fairfield County's Community Foundation, a consistent financial benefactor of Carver’s work, introduced its vision to strengthen, support, train, expand, and fortify the region's nonprofit community with the establishment of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

Members of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation and Hall of Fame honorees celebrate the 10th anniversary of FCCF’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence held at the Westport Library. Center: Carver’s Novelette Peterkin standing next to (then) FCCF President and CEO, Juanita James.

Across the United States, more than $326 billion has already been set aside for charitable giving through donor-advised funds (DAFs). These funds—administered by organizations such as Fairfield County’s Community Foundation (a long-time Carver donor), Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and National Philanthropic Trust—allow individuals and families to reserve money for charitable purposes and recommend grants to nonprofit organizations over time.

For many donors, a donor-advised fund is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support causes they care about.

If you are a donor-advised fund holder living or working in Lower Fairfield County, we invite you to consider recommending a grant to The Carver.

For more than eight decades, The Carver has partnered with Norwalk Public Schools and the broader community to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed. Today, Carver serves more than 3,000 students each year through academic support, STEAM enrichment, workforce development, college preparation, and wellness programming.

Every day, Carver students are building the foundation for successful futures—graduating high school, pursuing college and careers, and developing the leadership skills our community needs.

A grant from a donor-advised fund can help make that possible.

DAF grants support programs such as:

• After-school academic enrichment

• Workforce readiness and paid internships for high school students

• College preparation and mentoring

• STEAM learning experiences that spark curiosity and creativity

Recommending a grant is simple. If you maintain a donor-advised fund, you can log into your sponsoring organization’s online portal and recommend a grant to The Carver. You can also visit Carver’s “Ways to Give” page, where our donor-advised fund DAF Direct widget allows you to quickly recommend a DAF grant to support Norwalk’s youth.

Your support helps ensure that Norwalk’s young people have access to the opportunities they deserve—and that our community continues to grow stronger for generations to come.

If you would like to learn more about Carver’s programs or discuss how a donor-advised fund grant can make an impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Together, we are investing in the future of Norwalk.

🚀 Carver Innovators Launches: Chess Masters & Robotics Engineers Take the Stage This April

Thanks to the early sponsorship of Conair, Sound Control Technologies, Terex, and BMW of Darien, The Carver proudly launches the Carver Innovators Challenge!

This is a bold new Fairfield County initiative that brings together students, teachers, parents, corporate volunteers, and program sponsors on a shared journey of strategy, engineering, creativity, and teamwork. After completing an intensive 6-week structured enrichment program in robotics and chess — led by field experts and supported by Carver educators — select students from:

• Fox Run Elementary School

• Tracey Elementary School

• Roton Middle School

• Nathan Hale Middle School

will showcase their skills at two exciting community events.

♟️ Carver Innovators’ Chess Tournament

📅 April 20 | 4:15–6:15 PM
📍 The SoNo Collection

Elementary teams trained in strategic thinking, concentration, and collaboration will compete in a high-energy tournament at one of Norwalk’s most vibrant public spaces. Expect thoughtful play, bold moves, and confident young leaders putting their critical-thinking skills to the test.

🤖 Carver Innovators’ Robotics Showcase

📅 April 21 | 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 National Havoc Robot League (HAVOC/NHRL)

Middle school teams trained in engineering, coding, and teamwork will demonstrate the robots they’ve built and programmed — showcasing precision, innovation, and problem-solving in action.

A Community-Powered Challenge

The Carver Innovators Challenge is designed for K–8 students from Norwalk and surrounding schools, uniting local companies and young learners through:

• Six weeks of hands-on instruction (twice per week)

• Guided mentorship from corporate volunteers

• Professional instruction in chess and robotics

• Friendly competition and public recognition

Program Milestones:

• Kick-Off (February 2026): Teams meet corporate mentors and begin training

• Midway Mentorship (March 2026): Progress presentations and feedback

• Showcase Events (April 2026): Demonstrations, competition, celebration, and awards

Together, we are building innovators, problem-solvers, and confident leaders — ready for a world of possibility.

🌟 Join Conair, Sound Control Technologies, Terex, and BMW of Darien in Sponsoring the Carver Innovators Challenge!

🤖 Presenting Sponsor — $25,000

• Naming rights & curriculum support

• Senior leader speaking opportunity

• Premier logo placement on all materials

• Recognition on website & social media

⚡🤝 Platinum Sponsor — $10,000

• Serve as judges or presenters

• Recognition across event materials

• Website & social media recognition

🏆 Team Sponsor — $5,000

• Naming rights for school teams

• Coaching opportunities

• Logo placement on team materials

🧰 Supporting Sponsor — $2,000

• Support supplies for all students

• Logo placement on signage

📞 For More Information:

Nikki LaFaye
Director of Philanthropy
📧 Nikki@the-carver.org
📱 (203) 945-9665

From chess boards to robotics labs, Carver students are not just learning skills — they are developing discipline, resilience, leadership, and confidence.

We invite the entire Norwalk community to attend, cheer them on, and witness innovation in motion.

🎨 Shine a Light on Your Creativity: Enter the 2026 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest!

Afterschool Alliance is calling on students, families, and afterschool programs everywhere to help design the official 2026 Lights On Afterschool poster — and the opportunity is BIG.

This year’s theme invites you to capture the spirit of afterschool.
Has your program helped you discover a new passion? Build a new skill? Make a lifelong friend? Show what makes your afterschool community special — through your art!

🌟 Why Enter?

The winning artwork will be printed on more than 50,000 posters and displayed at 8,000+ Lights On Afterschool events worldwide. That’s national (and global!) recognition for both the artist and their program.

The Grand Prize Winner Will:

• Receive a $500 cash prize

• Be featured on the Afterschool Alliance website and blog

• Be included in a national press release

• Have their program credited on the official 2026 poster

Last year’s winning design above was created by Arya Bhatt from Raritan Valley YMCA in East Brunswick, New Jersey — proof that your local afterschool program could be celebrated nationwide next!

✏️ How to Enter

Entering is easy:

📬 Mail your artwork and completed entry form to:
Afterschool Alliance
Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest
1101 14th Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005

📧 Or email your submission to:
lightson@afterschoolalliance.org

🗓 Deadline: June 18, 2026

For the full list of do’s and don’ts — plus helpful design tips — visit the Afterschool Snack online.

💡 What Is Lights On Afterschool?

Launched in October 2000 with celebrations in 1,200 communities, Lights On Afterschool has grown into a nationwide movement. Today, more than 8,000 rallies are held annually, drawing over 1 million Americans and widespread media attention.

Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs. Since 2001, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has served as Chair of Lights On Afterschool.

🎨 The contest is open to everyone.

Your artwork could help the nation see what afterschool means to you.

☀️ Summer at Carver Is Here: Explore Camps & Enroll Today!

Summer is more than a break from school — it’s an opportunity for discovery, growth, friendship, and fun. At Carver, we are proud to offer a full range of high-quality summer programs designed to keep students engaged, inspired, and learning all season long.

From hands-on STEAM enrichment and literacy support to outdoor exploration, creative arts, wellness activities, and transition programs for rising middle and high school students, Carver’s summer camps are intentionally designed to meet students where they are — and help them thrive.

Whether your child is entering kindergarten, transitioning to middle or high school, or seeking an enriching, supportive summer experience, Carver has a program designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and strengthen academic skills in a joyful, structured environment led by experienced educators.

Families consistently tell us that Carver summer programs provide:

• A safe, nurturing environment

• Engaging, hands-on learning experiences

• Opportunities to build lasting friendships

• Structured days that support working families

• Meaningful preparation for the upcoming school year

Spots fill up quickly each year — we encourage families to review program options and register as soon as possible.

👉 Click here to view all summer programs. The sign-Up button above is for the Carver Summer Enrichment Camps. The summer transition programs and other Carver summer programs have different sign-up procedures and possible fees to consider. Learn more at your children’s school and/or the Carver staff.

We look forward to welcoming your child for a summer of learning, laughter, and limitless possibilities at Carver.

📚 Celebrate Read Across America Day – Monday, March 2, 2026!

Carver students and families, get ready! This Monday, March 2, 2026, we join schools and communities across the country in celebrating Read Across America Day — the nation’s largest celebration of reading.

While the day is famously associated with Dr. Seuss's birthday, it has grown into something even bigger: a year-round commitment to uplifting diverse stories, voices, and experiences.

🌟 2026 Theme: “Champion Kindness”

The National Education Association has selected “Champion Kindness” as this year’s theme. Books help students see themselves as heroes of their own stories (“mirrors”) and help them understand the lives of others (“windows”). Reading builds empathy. Reading builds community. Reading builds leaders.

At Carver, we know literacy is power — and every page turned is a step toward confidence, imagination, and opportunity.

📖 Ways Carver Students & Families Can Participate

Whether at school, at Carver after-school, or at home, here are easy and fun ways to join the celebration:

🎉 Spirit Week Fun

Many schools are kicking off a reading-themed Spirit Week! Popular ideas include:

• Monday: Wear a shirt with words or your favorite book character.

• Pajama Day: “Curl up with a good book” in your coziest clothes.

• Crazy Socks Day: A playful nod to Fox in Socks.

⏰ The “DEAR” Challenge

Take 20 minutes to Drop Everything And Read (DEAR). Families can join in at home — everyone reading their own book at the same time!

🌍 The Diverse Books Challenge

Start a book by an author from a different background or culture. Discover new perspectives. Build understanding.

📚 Visit Your Local Library

Check your local library calendar for:

• Special storytimes

• “Book tastings” (sampling different genres)

• Reading scavenger hunts

• Kindness-themed book displays

📅 Keep the Momentum Going

March 2 is the big kickoff — but all of March is National Reading Month! If you don’t finish a book on Monday, you have the entire month to set and reach your reading goals.

At Carver, we are proud to champion literacy every day through homework support, reading circles, and enrichment programs that help students grow into confident, curious learners.

📚 Let’s Champion Kindness — One Book at a Time.

✍️ Norwalk & Connecticut High School Students: The 2026 Lynn DeCaro Poetry Contest Is Now Open

Attention Connecticut high school students (grades 9–12): the 2026 Lynn DeCaro Poetry Contest is now open — and it is free, statewide, and open to all young poets.

Created in memory of Lynn DeCaro, a promising young member of the Connecticut Poetry Society who died of leukemia in 1986, the contest honors her love of poetry by encouraging the next generation of writers to find their voice.

Contest Details

• Open to all Connecticut students in grades 9–12

• Submit up to three unpublished poems

• 40-line maximum per poem

• Deadline: March 15 at 6:00 p.m.

• Enter at ctpoetry.org (click the Poetry Contests tab)

Whether you write about friendship, identity, justice, climate, family, love, or the quiet details of daily life, this contest is an opportunity to be heard.

Why Poetry Matters — Especially in the Age of AI

At a time when artificial intelligence can generate essays, summarize books, and mimic writing styles in seconds, poetry remains one of the most distinctly human art forms.

In fact, the Head of AI Safety at Anthropic recently left to focus on poetry—a powerful reminder that as technology advances, the need for authentic human expression only grows stronger. In his farewell letter, he explained his move from science to poetry by writing, “Science tells us how the world works, but poetry tells us what the world means.” He cited William Stafford’s poem The Way It Is, reflecting on the importance of holding onto a guiding “thread” of meaning amid rapid change.

Poetry sharpens attention. It strengthens emotional intelligence. It teaches precision with language. And it invites young people to wrestle with complexity — something no algorithm can truly experience.

For students interested in journalism, law, public speaking, entrepreneurship, STEM, or the arts, poetry develops the very skills that future leaders need:

• Clarity of thought

• Empathy

• Originality

• Voice

A Call to Carver & Norwalk Students

For students in Norwalk and across Connecticut, this is a chance to pause, reflect, and create something uniquely your own.

In a world increasingly shaped by automation, the ability to say something true — in your own words — is a competitive advantage.

We encourage all high school students to consider submitting. Three poems. Forty lines each. One opportunity to be heard.

Deadline: March 15 by 6 p.m.

Let your voice matter.

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.