WHEN: Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 5:00PM (immediately following the annual Carver Career Fair)
WHERE: Carver Community Center, 7 Academy Street, Norwalk
WHO: 400+ Carver students wearing WE ARE CARVER t-shirts; Carver Foundation of Norwalk leadership and student speakers; Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Norwalk Public Schools Superintendent Steven Adamowski; Carver alumnae Gabrielle Pierre-Louis singing Carver’s new official song, “WeR1”; audio support by Factory Underground.
WHAT: The Norwalk Arts Commission officially endorses this kick-off event that launches a yearlong series of events to celebrate Carver’s 80 years of “Building Lifetime Achievers,” including Carver’s annual Child of America gala on Friday, April 27th, and “Carver Day” (a block party on Academy Street/”Richard N. Fuller Way”) on Thursday, September 20, 2018.
WHY: The Carver community will recognize and thank its students, parents and guardians, alumni, staff, many program partners, donors, advocates, and its countless other supporters, including our elected officials, today and over the past 80 years, for all that they have each invested in advancing the careers and lives of our children and in improving the City of Norwalk.
About Carver: Carver is the largest provider of after school and summer programs in Norwalk. Since 2005, 100% of Carver seniors graduate on time and almost 100% of these graduates become first generation college students; 85% of these Carver students graduate from four-year colleges within six years. Carver’s Youth Development Program is conducted in the Carver Community Center, in Norwalk’s four middle and two high schools, and in Side by Side Charter School. Carver’s K-5 after school program at its Community Center offers intensive project-based learning in science, literacy and math. Carver produces summer learning programs in six locations throughout Norwalk. Carver also offers college scholarships, spring and fall college tours, food drives, community holiday events and more for the benefit of the Norwalk community.
About WeR1 the Song: Written by Morris Pleasure, a recipient of Carver’s annual Child of America award. Pleasure is an American composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and touring musician. He has recorded and performed with artists such as Ray Charles, Najee, George Duke, Earth, Wind & Fire, Roberta Flack, Christina Aguilera, Peter Cetera, Mary J. Blige, David Foster, Bette Midler, and many others.