Carver Day Celebration!

(L-R) Norwalk Common Council member, Greg Burnett; CT Senate Majority Leader, Bob Duff; CT Representative Terrie Wood; CT Representative and Carver board member Fred Wilms; Novelette Peterkin, Carver Executive Director; and CT Representative Gail Lavielle.

See all the photos here in Carver’s photo album!

On Thursday, September 20th, the Carver community celebrated its 80th anniversary by gathering some 400 of Carver’s daily after school students at the Carver Community Center for a few hours of fun, food, games, music and dancing, and even a magician!

We are grateful to the many elected officials, education leaders, Craver board members, parents, volunteers who joined us.

Norwalk Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Steven Adamowski and Novelette Peterkin

Mayor Rilling’s presence was felt in the reading of the City of Norwalk’s Carver Day proclamation by Senator Bob Duff and Norwalk Common Council member, Greg Burnett.

Also joining us were Representatives Gail Lavielle, Fred Wilms and Terrie Woods who greeted our students and guests with their personal remarks and the reading of a proclamation from the Connecticut General Assembly that honored Novelette Peterkin’s (Carver’s Executive Director) 15 years of outstanding service to the Norwalk community. Congressman Jim Himes was represented by a member of his staff, Veronica Tertullien.

Prudential was the Presenting Sponsor of the day’s event, and DJ Albert Richards provided the music and fun for the students. Steve Dane held our students spellbound with his magic tricks.

Volunteers from New Canaan High School’s Carver Cares Club were joined by energetic members from Carver’s Marketing Committee, including Paula Argosh, Alex Baudouin, Tasha Branch, Marc Alan, Marge Costa, Patrick Steele, Dr. Susan G. Weinberger, Brenda Wilcox Williams, and Wendy Winnick.

Cowabunga and Tony’s Taco provided the food along with in-kind contributions from Garden Catering and Italia’s Restaurant & Pizzeria.

Carver is Norwalk’s largest provider of after school programs for middle and high school students, and the largest provider of summer programs serving K through 9th grade students, operating in 11 Norwalk schools and the Carver Community Center.

In the 2017-18 academic year, Carver served 3,819 unduplicated individuals: 1,323 students in after school and summer programs, 164 students in college, and 2,332 people in community programs. Carver is given free access to each school’s facilities and resources free of charge.

Since 2005, 100% of Carver seniors have graduated on time. Over 95% of Carver seniors enroll in college immediately following graduation. 85% of Carver college students graduate from 4-year colleges and universities within 6 years.

Carver provides support that recognizes individual strengths, needs, and learning styles. Carver interventions and supports align with the Norwalk Public Schools 2019 Strategic Operating Plan aimed at closing the Achievement Gap. Carver received the highest ratings from Charity Navigator and Guidestar, far exceeding industry standards for financial health, transparency and accountability to donors.

Thank you, everyone, for giving the Carver community so much to celebrate! Carver is 80 years young because of you!

Carver music video featured on Common Good website!

Newman's Own Foundation, founded by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, has been a longtime supporter of the Carver Foundation of Norwalk. The foundation just launched CommonGood.com where Carver’s music video and story is prominently featured!

CommonGood is new web platform dedicated to sharing uplifting stories to highlight the good works of people, communities, and organizations from around the world.

"With the fast-paced news cycle these days, we are inundated with world and local events, and it's easy to miss out on all of the truly meaningful work being done in the charitable sector," said Bob Forrester, President and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation. "The Common Good website is aimed at filling a void of coverage about the philanthropic world by highlighting stories about people and organizations that are improving lives and making a positive impact on our world."

CommonGood.com is designed to make it easy for users to find meaningful stories and connect directly with philanthropic organizations. The site will feature up-to-date news and events on the charitable front and allow users the opportunity to learn about and connect directly with the people, organizations, and causes that are making a positive difference around the globe.

Newman's Own Foundation has underwritten the development of the Common Good website for the purpose of promoting and encouraging philanthropy. In developing the concept for the Common Good website, Newman's Own Foundation selected Narrative Content Group as its publishing partner, based on their expertise in creating and distributing content. Narrative will handle the day-to-day operations of content gathering, technology, and development, and outreach to organizations for stories. 

"Working with Newman's Own has always been an honor for us," said Narrative CEO Joel Babbit. "Being able to help develop something with the mission and potential of Common Good is particularly rewarding."

Thank You, Newman

Read an alumna's letter to the editor at Nancy on Norwalk!

See the letter at Nancy on Norwalk here!

Thursday, Sept. 20, is Carver Day. Taylor Hemphill is a Carver alumna. 

Even as a young adult, living in Philadelphia, I still consider myself a Carver Kid. It’s an identity that didn’t leave me once I graduated high school.  My parents were involved with the Carver Center in their youth and my involvement extended to Girls Scout meetings, CASPER program, summer camp, Junior YDP, then Senior YDP. I would later return to the Carver the summer before finishing my undergraduate degree. I had the privilege of giving back in the building that gave to me, as a co-director for Let’s Get Ready!, an SAT prep program for low-income high school students.

After 18 consecutive years as a student, I am now an Ivy League educated, masters-level social worker; a career choice introduced to me when I started at the Carver Center. My most memorable experiences from the Carver are rooted in education, social justice, and self-confidence. The Carver took me on my first college tour at thirteen years old. Mr. Fuller taught me history about my black ancestors that school teachers omitted when he challenged us to be first at his office with the answer to his black history question over the PA system. My drive for social justice was provoked during discussions in the Teen Room and with my peers and counselors. Then it was enhanced when I joined the Junior NAACP along with peers from Junior and Senior YDP. My self-confidence would start to mold from the relatable representative I saw in the Carver Center staff, reciting the YDP pledge, and participating in the Girls’ Group. This group facilitated by Ms. Roberson encouraged us to discover our voice and potential despite societal limitations. Ms. Roberson was the first social worker I had met and my admiration for her role at the Carver Center led me to where I am today in my career.

I am pleased to see the George Washington Carver Center remain not just a landmark but a staple in youth upbringing for Norwalk. The center as endured its role of being a safe place in the community to learn and engage in extracurricular activities. These activities (during my time) ranging from cooking class and basketball to sleep away camps on a farm and STEM lessons. I’m elated to see the Carver continue its efforts of building lifetime achievers across the spectrum.

Taylor A. Hemphill, MSW

Philadelphia

Join us for Carver Day!

Bankwell sponsored Carver kids to participate in Spartan Kids-Only Races

Spartan Races returned to Mill River Park in Stamford for the fourth year. The Spartan event for kids attracted families from all over the Northeast on September 15 and 16. Bankwell made it possible for Carver’s young athletes to join in the fun and competition.

Kids took in fun and challenging obstacles on a course all their own. The signature Spartan festival area was filled with super cool kid-friendly activities, healthy snacks and training obstacles. The race MC got everyone ready with cheers and burpees at the start line. The rest of the event was accompanied by the latest music blasting throughout the course as the young athletes climbed, crawled, jumped and ran their way to their individual victories.

Mill River Park is a 12-acre transformative space in the heart of downtown Stamford. Frequently described as a “Mini Central Park”, a quick tour reveals a beautiful sparkling and free flowing river with dozens of new species of wild life, a brilliant community-built playground, and three incredibly landscaped outdoor activation areas for our Spartan Kids Obstacle course. Over the past few years, they have begun 28 acres of revitalization, including the recent construction of the Brownstein/Selkowitz Pavilion, which will house the Nissen Carousel.

Thank you, Bankwell and Spartan for your gifts of inspiration and healthy living to Carver kids!

Carver kids to participate in the UN's Global People's Summit

Carver kids are excited to partner again with the United Nations to help shape the global conversation and impact around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN General Assembly.

This year, the Global People’s Summit is the first-ever 100% immersive and online summit that brings together thousands of global leaders and stakeholders from around the world to discuss solutions to global issues during the United Nations General Assembly.

Please help Carver spread the word to inspire more people here at home and around the world to join these critical conversations that shape the global community’s future.

Disrupt the status quo and engage on social media- Follow this UN initiative on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook! Invite your network to this important Facebook event. Join the conversations and share your thoughts using #GlobalPeople, #GlobalGoals & #UNGA.

Help shape the narrative by joining the UN’s weekly Twitter chats - Join and/or co-host a weekly twitter chat in the lead up to 22 September. Each week for one hour the UN will talk about #SDGs and global engagement. To join, follow @ThePeopleSummit and engage using #GlobalPeople.

Carver believes that change IS possible-- only if we work together to create it!

The Global People’s Summit is organized by the The Humanity Lab Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Partnerships. The inaugural summit was held In 2017 during the United Nations General Assembly and had a digital reach of 84 million in 160+ countries. Inaugural presenting Summit partners included United Nations Foundation, and +SocialGood (powered by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Case Foundation, Caterpillar, Cisco, Enactus, Mashable, the Rockefeller Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Foundation), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, SDG Action Campaign and EarthX.

Natarsha Garcia brings her Star Maker Tour to Carver, October 12-14!

For over 18 years, Craig & Natarsha Garcia have been offering AGI Entertainment, a full service entertainment company, to help launch many successful careers. They affirm that you don’t have to be the most talented person to be a superstar; you just have to possess a work ethic that says, “no one will outwork me”! Stars are not born. They are made and created through hard work, discipline, focus and integrity. AGI’s roster includes clients who have gone on to success in film, television, print, Broadway, music and other mainstream media.

Natarsha is bringing her Star Media Tour to the Carver Community Center at 7 Academy Street, Norwalk, October 12-14, 2018! It begins Friday evening with a parent workshop, workshops are conducted all day for kids on Saturday, and on Sunday there is a showcase for family and friends.

To register, please call 678-324-7218 or call Carver at 203-838-4305.

Wilton Family YMCA names Dr. Susan G. Weinberger a "Distinguished Citizen"

YMCA CEO Robert McDowell, left, joins this year’s Distinguished Citizens Dr. Susan Weinberger of Norwalk and Dick Dubow of Wilton. — Contributed photo

See the entire article here in the Wilton Bulletin. 

Former Wilton Selectman Dick Dubow and Dr. Susan G. Weinberger of Norwalk have been named recipients of this year’s Distinguished Citizen Awards by the Riverbrook Regional YMCA. They will be honored at the YMCA Community Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 23, at Millstone Farm. 

A tradition of the Y when it was the Wilton Family YMCA, the Distinguished Citizen Award has been given to more than 83 individuals, businesses and organizations since the Community Celebration began in 1986. It honors outstanding volunteers who have served their communities on a long-term basis and made a positive difference that benefits the Y’s expanded range of Norwalk, Redding and Wilton and its residents.

Dr. Susan G. Weinberger’s (aka “Dr. Mentor”) moved to Norwalk with her husband, Dr. Norman and their two children 47 years ago. Her pioneering efforts in school-based mentoring began in the early 1980s when she developed the Norwalk Mentoring Program for the Norwalk Public Schools — the first school-based mentoring program in the country.

Since then, she has been at the forefront of mentoring’s evolutionary growth — as an educator and an inspirational cheerleader. The guiding principle she established for this program is unchanged: matching students with positive adult role models has a profound impact on the lives of those students. Her work has been published widely and the program she designed has been replicated in the United States, Bermuda and Canada and internationally, impacting the lives of thousands of young people.         (See the balance of the article here). 

Susan is a longtime Carver volunteer and now chairs Carver's board committee on marketing. 

Congratulations, Susan!

Amazing Girls Science 2018 is coming to Carver on Saturday, October 27, 2018

Date/Time

Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Location

George Washington Carver Community Center, 7 Academy Street, Norwalk, CT 06850 Directions

Register for This Event HERE

Girls in 4-8th grade are invited to join RHoK Jr and Amazing Girls Science at a special one day hackathon at where they will be working with computer science mentors to create technology for social good by helping local charities. Students will work in groups to brainstorm, design and code prototype smartphone apps using MIT's APP Inventor.

Android devices will be provided for building and testing apps, but you are welcome to bring your own. Participants may also bring their own laptops to work on.

The mission of Random Hacks of Kindness Junior, Inc. (RHoKJr) is to empower students to use technology to positively impact the challenges facing local nonprofits in their communities.  We do this by hosting one-day hackathons around the state where students  (4th-8th grade) are paired with computer science mentors and nonprofit representatives to develop prototype smartphone apps for local charities.  

Using an MIT developed coding tool (http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/), students will learn the basics of app design, as well as the ideation and brainstorming process required to build a successful prototype mobile application.  This program requires NO prior coding knowledge and is intended as a code-to-learn tool!.  All students regardless of their computing background are welcome.  At RHoKJr events students participate in eight hours of highly engaged collaboration.

Side By Side Charter School opens its new William O. Murphy Upper School!

Carver partners with Side By Side Charter School to bring its students after school programming. The new school year begins at Side By Side on August 29, 2018, and we are excited for all that awaits our students there. 

The start of the 2018-19 school year also marks the official opening of the new William O. Murphy Upper School at Side by Side! This will be an exciting year for all of us as we prepare to make use of a brand new, state-of-the-art Upper School facility.  

This new building will be the primary location for all of the content area courses for all grade 6-8 students, the students in Carver's after school program.  Also, in addition to housing the middle schoolers, all Side by Side students in grades Kindergarten through 8th will now be participating in Art class in the new Art/Multi-purpose classroom in this new facility.  The school's Special Education department, Student Services offices and Collaborative Learning Center will also be located in this new building.  

This new building is the grand result of mighty effort and generosity on the part of many advocates, not least William Murphy and his family. St. Joseph's Parish is of course at the center of this new beginning. The CT Office of School Construction Grants, Mayor Harry Rilling, Stein/Troost Architecture, AV Tuchy Builders, and especially CT State Senator Bob Duff worked in concert to make this new building possible. 

Congratulations, Side By Side Charter School!