The Heart of Philanthropy – Story 1: Connection Point – YouTube.
You never know the gift you are to someone else.
You may not know the Carver youth you are supporting, but you are nevertheless very connected.
You can positively alter the path of the life of a Carver young person — forever.
We can never thank you enough for investing in the lives of Carver youth.
Invisible Students Final. pdf.
This in-depth report was written by Laura McCargar for A Better Way Foundation and Connecticut Pushout Research and Organizing Project. Laura McCargar is now on staff at the Perrin Family Foundation, a long-time supporter of Carver.
There are thousands of young people across the state of Connecticut pursuing their education outside of traditional high schools . Some have left high school by choice; others have been counseled, coerced, or otherwise forced to leave . This report examines the systematic removal of struggling and vulnerable students from traditional high school . It finds that furtive practices employed by school districts across the state flout the due process and procedural protections promised to students by state law and, in the worst instances, effectually eradicate students’ constitutionally granted right to education .
Each year, nearing Mother’s Day, as we did on Friday, May 4th, Carver youth, with support from staff and volunteers, celebrate their mothers and others in their lives who care for them. Our annual celebration includes a meal and testimony and song. Above all else, the celebration includes deep appreciation for the fact that though a mother may need to hold the hand of her child for only a short time, she never let’s go of her child’s love.
We will be sharing more about what was said at our second Youth Forum, but for now here is a video (above) of the images captured during the event and below are some of the questions discussed.
Some of the questions our youth asked themselves:
What’s your least liked Stereotype? Who is one person who motivates you? What about friends? Why are you doing well (or not)? What should teachers do to keep you engaged? What makes for good Principals? How do students take education for granted? Do you dread or like school? Who and what pushes you to identify and achieve your goals? Who are in Honors or AP classes and talk about how they got there (are there ever any surpises)?
Some of the questions our adult “listening” panel asked the youth panelists:
How does nutrition help you achieve success (or not)? Does it play a role? Do your teachers present the work and then leave you to figure it out? Have you ever thought about being a teacher, and secondly, can you say anything about having failed and having learned from that failure? You seem to be among the top tier of your peers. How much is discipline stressed in your lives?
The Student Panelists:
Venise Louis, a freshman at Stamford High School.
Daniela Arbelaez and Katlin Scott, freshmen at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk.
Tyron Bullock, freshman at Brien McMahon High School.
Zoe Calahan, a freshman at Darien High School.
Meschac Casimir, a senior at Stamford High School, standing with fellow panelist and student, Venise Louis.
Abby Herman, a sophomore at New Canaan High School
Jack Feeley, a freshman at Darien High School.
Will Cuoco, a sophomore at New Canaan High School.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children Presents:
YES2 Youth Forum: Teenage Business Owners
Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Sunday, May 6, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Could you be the next teen entrepreneur? Teenagers have the power to be savvy business men and women. Meet teens who have built successful businesses and learn their methods and secrets.
Guest speaker: Laura Ploss is the COO of By Kids For Kids Co. (BKFK), an educational and family marketing company that creates programs that encourage youth innovation.
Free admission. Reservations recommended.
RSVP Youth Programs Manager 203 899 0606, ext. 277 or email dod@steppingstonesmuseum.org
Youth Enrichment at Stepping Stones (YES2) offers students in grades 7 – 12 mentorship and training opportunities designed to inspire leadership and encourage lifelong learning. Learn more at www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/YES2.
Easy to get to! Exit 14N or 15S off I-95 • Mathews Park, 303 West Avenue • Norwalk, CT
Youth Voice in Action – Norwalk, CT Patch.
What many of us call Youth Voice is a key underpinning to positive youth development as well as an essential element to public discourse on important issues. It is vital that we invite young people participate as equals with adults in the give and take of policymaking.
Carver initiated a quarterly series of Youth Forums last January, the first Forum having Norwalk middle and high school students discussing the rise and persistence of the so-called Achievement Gap.
The second Forum on Thursday, April 26th, 26, 4-5:30 pm, in Norwalk’s Brien McMahon High School’s auditorium will invite students from Stamford, Darien, New Canaan and Norwalk to discuss the personal obstacles and opportunities impacting their education.
