carvercenter.org

Superbowl, SuperFood Drive

2012-01-30T16:39:00.005-05:00

The Rye PBA and MyRye.com are running their first ever Superbowl, SuperFood Drive for Carver’s Food Pantry!

Through Sunday, February 12th, donors can drop off non-perishable, unopened food items 24 hours a day in the lobby at Rye Police Department Headquarters at 21 McCullough Place in Rye. Click here to see a list of the most-needed foods in the Pantry.

I Scream 4 Breakfast

2012-01-23T14:05:00.005-05:00

On Sunday, January 22^nd, nearly 100 children from the Carver Center and Blind Brook Middle School participated in a Flash Mob at the Port Chester Stop & Shop to raise awareness for Carver’s Food Pantry need for breakfast supplies.

Sarah Keilman, Caroline Levine, Julia Levine, Olivia Morrisey, Margot Schwartz, Maya Finkman and Eric Spanier – all sixth grade students at Blind Brook Middle School – participate in Destination Imagination, an international problem-solving competition. The team of seven visited Carver Center to learn how they could make an impact on their neighboring community. On their visit, the students noticed the limited breakfast supplies in the food pantry, and made this the focus of their project. The students also collaborated with local nutritionist, Joy Bauer, to come up with cost-effective, “no-cook” healthy recipes to make breakfast not only the most important meal of the day, but the favorite of our clients.

“It’s great to see the students’ enthusiasm and energy, and their commitment to making a difference for our community,” said Elizabeth Cook, Carver Center’s Development Director.

At the conclusion of the flash mob, Stop & Shop presented a check for $1,500 to Carver Center to support the needs of our Food Pantry.

Visit the I Scream 4 Breakfast page on our website for recipes and to learn more about the challenge.

Click here to read the story from the Journal News.

Village of Port Chester Selects Kerry Walsh for Humanitarian Award

2012-01-17T10:31:00.030-05:00

On Sunday, January 15th, Kerry Walsh, Executive Director of the Port Chester Carver Center, was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award by the Village of Port Chester.

Each year, the Village of Port Chester celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and selects outstanding persons or organizations that embody the philosophies and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, the committee selected Kerry Walsh, for her efforts to provide quality services to the diversified population of the Village of Port Chester. Under Ms. Walsh's stewardship, Carver Center has meaningfully improved and expanded its programs and services to better serve the entire community.

"It has been my personal goal to create an environment in which the entire community feels that they can participate in and contribute to our programs and benefit from the experience." said, Ms. Walsh.

This award speaks volumes about Ms. Walsh's efforts, and Carver is so happy to have her lead our team as we continue to build brighter futures for the people we serve.

(Pictured: Kerry Walsh and Dinah Howland, Board President)

The Food Pantry Needs Your Help!

2012-01-13T10:49:00.007-05:00

We continue to see a record number of families coming to Carver Center for assistance in feeding their families. Right now, our shelves are very depleted, so if you can provide any assistance, we would be most grateful!

Most urgently needed items are:

Pancake Mix
Produce
Syrup
Pasta
Parmalat Milk
Spices (salt, sugar, adobo, pepper, hot sauce)

Click here to learn more about our Food Pantry or contact Tarin Gonzalez at 914.305.6042 or tgonzalez@carvercenter.org.

Thank you very much for your generosity.

Carver Center Boot Camp

2012-01-03T15:01:00.000-05:00

Carver Center Boot Camp sponsored by Hydrive Energy Drinks and Rye Health & Fitness, originally scheduled for this Friday, January 6th, has been postponed. Please check back in March for the rescheduled date!

Thank you for your understanding.

If you have any questions, please contact Britani Griffin at 914.305.6012 or bgriffin@carvercenter.org.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-30T12:07:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year from everyone at the Carver Center! We wish you abundance, happiness, and peace in a new year filled with hope.

As a reminder, Carver Center will be closed Friday, December 30, 2011 through Monday, January 2, 2012. Carver will re-open on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Add Carver to Your Holiday Shopping List!

2011-12-05T12:24:00.013-05:00

This holiday season, through the GiveBack Foundation, you can shop for your loved ones and Carver. Please use this link or the pink widget below to shop your favorite online stores and raise money for Carver. Carver will receive a percentage of each purchase you make.

P.S. Carver recently used the pink GiveBack widget and raised $135 when we purchased new furniture for the Teen Center.

Thank You Scouts!

2011-11-21T14:41:00.006-05:00

Carver Center would like to extend a huge thank you to the scouts of Pack 19 and Troop 400 for organizing such a successful food drive! Over a dozen scouts spent their Saturday manning tables and accepting donations at the Port Chester Pathmark Supermarket. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of Pack 19 and Troop 400, Carver's Food Pantry is well stocked with plenty of non-perishable foods at the start of the holiday season. Thank you Pack 19 and Troop 400!

Help Build Brighter Futures with Carver

2011-10-27T10:49:00.010-04:00

1.Give Time: Volunteer, share your skills. Become a tutor in our After-School Program. Stock shelves in our Food Pantry. Run a food and clothing drive to benefit our Food Pantry and Clothing Closet. Click here to learn more about our current volunteer opportunities.
2.Give Money: Donate. Make a contribution to our Annual Fund. Use the Carver Giveback widget located at the bottom of our homepage whenever you shop online.
3.Participate: Be Active. Stay Healthy. Join our Fitness Center. Encourage a senior citizen to Participate in Silver Sneakers. Take Swim lessons. Sign your child up for Martial Arts.
4.Stay Connected:Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest photos, announcements, and news articles.

GiveBack Widget

2011-09-07T12:38:00.003-04:00

The Giveback Widget is now located at the bottom Carver's Homepage! This pink widget will allow you to both shop and outfit Carver with the rewards. Please remember to use this widget to support Carver every time you shop online!

In Memory of David E. Moore, Lifetime Carver Center Board Member

2011-08-08T11:23:00.002-04:00

The Board of Directors and staff of the Port Chester Carver Center mourns the passing of one of our most generous and passionate Board Members, David E. Moore. His strong leadership and devotion to Carver will be greatly missed. We offer our sincerest condolences to his wife Katherine and family. His zest for life, his terrific humor and his compassion for those less fortunate made him a very special man. We will so miss him.

There will be a memorial service for David on Friday, September 16th,2011 at Christ Church in Rye.

Think Locally...Think Carver

2011-07-25T16:43:00.024-04:00

Local gardens are in full bloom and Carver is savoring the taste!

Over the past year, Carver has meaningfully improved and expanded how we address the nutritional needs of the children and adults we serve. Last June, Carver installed a walk-in refrigerator in its Food Pantry, now the 1,200 children and adults who come to our Food Pantry each month are now supplied with fresh produce and other non-perishable food items. With the continued support of local organizations, our Food Pantry receives fresh produce all summer. In fact, God’s Green Market at Port Chester Middle School provides Carver with 100 pounds of fresh produce each week!

Just yesterday, Chris Taylor, a program director from the Rye Recreation Day Camp brought fresh carrots and beets from Rye High School's garden to our facility and today the children in our summer program will enjoy them for lunch.

Crops of lettuce, zucchini, and herbs from Carver’s Garden are used to prepare lunch and the kids anxiously await the first harvest of tomatoes and peppers. The Carver garden is an educational tool for the children, and the goal is for our children to learn the nutritional importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables, along with the pride that comes from caring for their very own garden. Every class in our Summer Program takes part in the daily maintenance and upkeep of the garden.

Carver to Earn Double Cashback from the GiveBack Foundation

2011-07-05T10:22:00.005-04:00

13 days left to make a huge impact on Carver. Shop online and Carver will earn double cashback from the GiveBack Foundation. Visit Carver's GiveBack page today and shop at any of the 400 GiveBack retailers.

Bicycle Giveaway

2011-06-06T11:16:00.006-04:00

On June 1st, Aspen Specialty surprised 15 children in our After-School Program with brand new bicycles and helmets at the Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook. Aspen Specialty, a leading specialty Insurance and Reinsurance Company, collaborated with True North Team Building, LLC to build these bicycles. This tremendous event became an experience to remember for the children of Carver. For many of these children, this was their first bicycle. One girl cried when she saw the bike, as she exclaimed “I can finally learn how to ride a bike!” The chance to visit Doral Arrowwood was also the first time 8-year old Jessinia visited a hotel, as she went on to ask the hotel staff about the facility, including “how many beds did they have?” Janett Grose, Manager of Children’s Programs said “this is the essence of Carver, providing children with luxuries that many consider basic necessities.”

Thank you Aspen Specialty and True North Team Building, LLC for your generosity and for thinking about the children we serve.

System Upgrade at Carver Center

2011-05-17T22:16:00.001-04:00

Carver Center is in the process of upgrading its telephone system. While work is in progress, please contact the Front Desk at 914.939.4464 for assistance. We thank you for your patience!

Annual Benefit 2011: Sneak Preview of Carver's Wishlist!

2011-04-27T13:46:00.008-04:00

1. New Doctor’s Weight Scale for Fitness Center-$2,000

2. Interview with Confidence! Client Grooming and Resume Package which includes attire, grooming, shoes, resume paper and 4 round trip Metro Cards- $150

3. College Tour: Send 20 high school students on a multi-day, multi-school tour!-Sold for $4,000

4. Sponsor a Carver Kid’s summer of enrichment and fun!-$500

5. Help the Carver Sharks prepare for their first swim meet by purchasing a top-of-the-line Digital Colorado Pace Clock for Training and Meets-$750

6. Help us continue to serve 20 kids who attend Carver’s Learning Zone off site with dinner every night by purchasing a full tank of gas for the Carver Van - $75

7. Send the participants in Carver’s Teen Top Chef program on an exciting field trip to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York!-$450

8. Karaoke Machine-Fun Fridays just got better for the Summer Program. “Glee Hour” is sure to be a hit this summer at Carver-$500

9. Help maintain Carver’s on-site vegetable garden with a new set of gardening gloves and tools!-$25

10. Send 40 Food Pantry clients on a memorable field trip to the New York Botanical Garden-$500

If you are interested in purchasing one of these items, please click the donate button at the top of the page!

Child Care Council of Westchester Selects Janett Grose for a JOEY AWARD

2011-03-10T12:32:00.000-05:00

Carver Center is proud to announce that our Manager of Children’s Programs, Janett Grose, was selected to receive a Child Care Council of Westchester’s JOEY Award. The JOEY Award is presented to individuals who make exceptional contributions to the child care and early education field in Westchester County. Janett Grose was recommended by Danielle Marino (Responsive Classroom Teacher) and Annie Villacress (Youth Educator). “This award is a testament to the effort and excellence Janett and her staff place into our Children’s Programs.” said Kerry Walsh, Executive Director.

The mission of the Children’s Programs is to successfully contribute to the learning and healthy development of children. All activities offered by Carver Center align with school standards but are typically activities not offered by schools due to decreased funding and increased focus on student performance in mathematics and language arts. By providing children with a broad range of activities that fall under three program areas – academic support, enrichment programs, and recreation – we seek to both complement and distinguish ourselves from school.

Congratulations Janett, Carver Center is proud to have you apart of our team.

Fundraising Conference

2011-01-21T06:17:00.004-05:00

Today's Fundraising Conference will take place as scheduled, starting at 8:30 AM.

Congratulations PCHS Varsity Cheerleading Team!

2010-12-13T11:59:00.004-05:00

For the third year in the row, the Port Chester High School Varsity Cheerleading team is headed to the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) National Cheerleading Competition, and Carver Center would like to congratulate the entire team!

Two cheerleaders, Kiara Boden and Imani Cooper, have been active participants in our Teen Programs for the last 3 years. Kiara and Imani worked this past summer as Classroom Assistants in our Summer Program and Summer Dance Program. Everyone at Carver is proud of their accomplishments and is anxious to see their future success.

Kiara and Imani, Carver wishes you and your teammates all the best as you prepare for nationals. Go Rams!

The national event is held in Orlando, FL at Walt Disney's Wide World of Sports from February 9 - 14, 2011.

In Memory of Christine Stiassni Gerli

2010-12-06T11:58:00.018-05:00

It is with Carver Center's deepest sorrow to announce the passing of one of our dearest friends, Christine Stiassni Gerli. Christine Stiassni Gerli, known to many as a wonderful friend, impeccable hostess, inspirational teacher, creative entrepreneur, and loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, died peacefully on Thursday, December 2 after a brief struggle with stroke. She was 83. For over 40 years, Christine was a major supporter of Carver's programs and services, with a particular interest in developing a dance program at Carver. In 2009, Christine's vision came to fruition with her plan to underwrite and create the Feffi Stiassni Dance Studio at Carver Center, named for her deceased daughter, who loved to dance. Through the Feffi Stiassni Dance Studio, young boys and girls will have a venue to hone their dance skills. In the weeks before her passing, Christine helped organize a field trip for the 25 children enrolled in our Saturday Ballet Program to see the New York City Ballet's production of The Nutcracker Project. On December 18th, these 25 budding ballerinas will witness the magic of George Balanchine’s masterpiece. Carver Center will ensure Christine's vision of encouraging and nurturing the youth's interest in the fine arts for decades to come.

Please click on the following link to see one of the many videos presented to Carver by Christine Stiassni Gerli and her family. Knowles Multimedia: The Carver Center.. Dance Studio.. (c) knowles media 2010

"Leap for Joy" Holiday Appeal

2010-11-30T14:56:00.017-05:00

Through the GiveBack Foundation, you can do all your holiday shopping online and donate to Carver Center’s “Leap for Joy” Holiday Appeal. ALL AT NO COST TO YOU! Through our GiveBack campaign, we hope to raise $2,000 to purchase 40 Leap Frog Leapster 2 handheld educational toys for our kindergarten and 1st grade.

This is how it works-simply go to GiveBack.org and set up a foundation account. All you need is a username, email address and password. As a bonus for signing up! Your account will be credited for $5-this you can give you Carver immediately. Once you create an account, start shopping! Each retailer has committed a percentage of each purchase to GiveBack which will go directly into your personal GiveBack Foundation account. Please note that it will take approximately 30 days for your shopping rewards to be credited to your account. Once your account is credited, you can direct your donation to the Carver Center. It’s that simple.
Please take a moment and check out Carver Center’s page at GiveBack.org for a more detailed description of our holiday appeal. Click on “Find a Charity” tab and type in Port Chester Carver Center.

Team Come Cook 4 Me awarded the title of "Teen Top Chef"

2010-11-24T12:04:00.000-05:00

Last night at the Carver Center, the S.T.A.R.S program held the 1st ever “Teen Top Chef Challenge”. Team Come Cook 4 Me and Team Cousin Frankie dueled off in the ultimate cooking showdown, where Team Cook 4 Me was awarded the title of “ Teen Top Chef”. Both teams created palate pleasing dishes included: Chicken Thai Lettuce Wraps, Minestrone Soup, and Sweet Potato Canolis.

For three weeks, chefs Patrick Stancil and Frankie Blasi worked alongside 10 teens to prepare for what turned out to be a resounding success. Cousin Frankie and Patrick Stancil will continue to work with the teens in S.T.A.R.S Program in a number of culinary capacities. One of these capacities includes preparing for the next edition of “Teen Top Chef Challenge”. Everyone at Carver is anxious to see what the next series of emerging chefs whip up next

Frank Blasi, affectionately known as Cousin Frankie, is the owner and chef of Cousin Frankie’s USA Grill. Cousin Frankie’s USA Grill is located in downtown Port Chester, serving up American dishes for breakfast and lunch. Over the last year, Cousin Frankie has become a larger supporter of Carver’s programs.

Patrick Stancil is the owner and chef of Come Cook 4 Me. Come Cook 4 Me is a professional catering service that operates throughout the tri-state area. Patrick is also the new chef of Carver’s Kid’s Cafe. Carver Kid’s Cafe, in collaboration with the Food Bank for Westchester, serves freshly prepared meal of fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy every weeknight to the Carver Center After School Program’s 100 children. For more information on Come Cook 4 Me please visit the company website: www.ComeCook4ME.com.

The S.T.A.R.S. program also offers special thanks to our judges: Mr. Roger Terrell, Dr. Mitchell Combs, Mrs. Doris Bailey-Reavis, Kerry Walsh, Mr. Fort DiRenno, and Mr. Byron Womack.

Senior Luncheon featuring The Song Pipers

2010-11-10T16:00:00.004-05:00

Today, in lieu of our monthly Senior Breakfast, Carver Center hosted a Senior Luncheon featuring the musical group, The Song Pipers. The Song Pipers are a not-for-profit musical therapy group established in 1949. This all-female ensemble, singing in four-part harmony, performs for nursing homes, hospitals, and senior citizen centers. Their goal is to bring live music to the elderly and infirm in an effort to make their days brighter and more fulfilling. The Song Pipers performed a selection of Patriotic songs in honor of Veteran’s Day for the 60 senior citizens in attendance.

Carver’s traditional monthly breakfasts for senior citizens features a speaker who addresses issues faced by the aging, such as health care, housing, and legal issues.

S.T.A.R.S. Cooking Challenge

2010-11-08T16:59:00.003-05:00

On Monday, November 23, 10 teens in our S.T.A.R.S Program will be participating in a cooking challenge. The S.T.A.R.S. cooking challenge will be stylized as a cook-off, where two five-person teams will prepare a dish using specific ingredients. A panel of five judges will select the winning team based on the creativity, taste, and presentation of their dish. “Carver’s staff is beaming with excitement over our very own ‘Iron Chef’ challenge as this will be a wonderful introduction into the culinary arts for our teens.” said Executive Director and panelist Kerry Walsh. In preparation of the cooking challenge, two local chefs are teaching the participants various culinary techniques that they will use to create their dishes.

Carver’s Teen Program is known as S.T.A.R.S., which stands for Supporting Teens in Academics, Recreation, and Socialization. S.T.A.R.S. is a youth engagement program for teenagers in 9th-12th grade which offers a comprehensive menu of academic, athletic, cultural, and social programs and events.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

2010-10-26T16:55:00.005-04:00

The Port Chester Carver Center held a celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month on Friday, October 22. This was an evening to celebrate the contributions Hispanic Americans have made to the culture and history of the United States, and featured performances from the children of the After School Program. Performances included a Mexican folklore reading and a Merengue dance presentation. A traditional Latin American dinner was prepared and served by the Carver Center Parent Association.

Lights on After School

2010-10-21T18:06:00.003-04:00

Today, October 21, 2010, Carver Center proudly hosted our annual “Lights on After School” Reception. “Lights on After School” gave parents a glimpse of their child's daily life at Carver and an opportunity to learn about the curriculum and staff. “Parental involvement is a critical component to our program. We believe fostering strong partnerships with our parents will ensure that the children we serve thrive academically.” said Janett Grose, Director of Children’s Programs.

Carver Center’s After-School Program strives to provide a safe and engaging environment for children to feel motivated and inspired to learn. The After School Program provides children a broad range of activities that fall under three program areas – academic support, enrichment programs, and recreation. In addition, the After School Program addresses the nutritional needs of the children.

S.T.A.R.S' Open House a Success!

2010-10-07T10:27:00.008-04:00

Carver Center hosted an Open House to officially launch the S.T.A.R.S. program on Monday, October 4, 2010. S.T.A.R.S., which stands for Supporting Teens in Academics, Recreation, and Socialization, is a youth engagement program for teenagers in 9th-12th grade. It offers a comprehensive menu of academic, athletic, cultural, and social programs and events. The Open House served as an introduction to the new program for teens and the community. Former NBA All-Star Allan Houston, author Tashera Simmons (wife of hip-hop artist D.M.X.), and light heavyweight boxing champion Dave Telesco were present to introduce the myriad activities being offered for youth through S.T.A.R.S.

S.T.A.R.S. will offer programs that appeal to a broad range of interests and skills. Activities will include:
- Tutoring
- College Prep
- Business training/Employability skills
- An anti-bullying program
- Nutrition education
- STEP, a collegiate dance program
- Boxing, volleyball, softball, Ski Club, basketball
- Life guard training and SCUBA training

S.T.A.R.S. is directed by long-time Carver staff members Derek Vincent and Robin Eddings. “The launching of S.T.A.R.S. marks a new era of teen programming at Carver. Robin and I are excited to deliver a program that will be fun for these kids, but at its core, teaches them valuable life skills and prepares them for adulthood.”stated Vincent.

Clothing Donations

2010-10-06T16:43:00.013-04:00

Due to limited storage space, Carver’s Clothing Pantry can only accept fall/winter clothing at this time.

The Food Pantry accepts donations Monday-Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please call the Front Desk at 914.939.4464 before delivering donations to make sure someone is available to accept your donation. The Food Pantry also accepts gently used, seasonal clothing. As of October 1, we can no longer accept summer clothes. Thank you for your understanding!

A Journey through Time with Haile Israel

2010-09-28T11:16:00.004-04:00

On September 23, 2010 the children in After-School Program had a chance to take part in a musical showcase presented by musician Haile Israel. For over 30 years, Haile Israel has performed across the world with various Reggae bands including The Marley’s. Mr. Israel performed his own musical renditions of popular Bob Marley songs such as, “One Love” and “Three Little Birds”. The children were delighted they were able to see Mr. Israel perform and ask him questions about his musical experiences. Janett Grose, Director of Children’s Programs was equally delighted that her long-time family friend was able to share his talent and knowledge with the children of Carver. She stated “I have known Haile for years and I just jumped at the opportunity to have him perform for the children. Here at Carver, we always want to share experiences with the children that would normally not be accessible to them. A musical performance that involves cultural and historical elements is certainly one of the unique experiences our children witness.”

Please feel free watch the video clip of Haile Israel’s performance.

September 17, 2010: MBIA Inc., participates in The National Day of Service and Remembrance at the Carver Center

2010-09-17T13:29:00.016-04:00

Today MBIA Inc., is participating in the National Day of Service and Remembrance at the Carver Center. The National Day of Service and Remembrance encourages all Americans to voluntarily support charitable causes, perform good deeds and engage in other service activities. In honor of this day, nine MBIA Inc. employees are spending their day volunteering in our food pantry, harvesting our garden, and creating bookmarks with the children in our After School Program.

Carver Center is delighted to host MBIA's community service endeavor, as we are a MBIA Foundation grant recipient. Through MBIA's continued support, Carver can continue to deliver a high quality After School program for the 2010-2011 school year.

MBIA Inc., headquartered in Armonk, New York is a holding company whose subsidiaries provide financial guarantee insurance, fixed-income asset management, and other specialized financial services. The Company services its clients around the globe, with offices in New York, Denver, San Francisco, Paris, London, Madrid and Mexico City.

"Father Knows Best" Retreat hosted by The Allan Houston Legacy Foundation

2010-09-14T16:37:00.005-04:00

On Sunday September 12th, 17 father-son duos from the Carver Center joined the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation at the New York Knicks Training Facility in Greenburg, NY for the “Father Knows Best" Retreat. In playing basketball together and learning fundamental skills from Allan Houston and his father Wade, fathers and sons added a new dimension to their relationships through interpersonal skill training and shared a memorable experience to endure a lifetime. The former Knicks star could not ignore the need to help foster positive father-son relationships as there is an increasing trend of children in the United States who are living without their biological fathers. The mission of the “Father Knows Best” program is to reinforce the importance of responsible parenting through a one-of-a-kind experience with practical skills that can continually be applied in the home. “This retreat was a brief introduction for the children and families we work with as we are working with the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation in developing the “Father Knows Best” mentoring program at Carver. We are optimistic that the father-son tandems that joined us today will work with us in the coming months.” stated Robin Eddings, Coordinator of Teen Programs.

The “Father Knows Best” mentoring program will begin Saturday October 16th, 2010 at the Port Chester Carver Center. Father and son pairs will meet every Saturday for seven-weeks to expand and build upon the skills and strategies they learned this past weekend. For more information, please contact Derek Vincent at (914)939-4464, ext. 109.

Carver Visits the U.S. Open!

2010-09-08T11:42:00.002-04:00

On Saturday, August 28, a group of kids from the Summer Program took a trip to the National Tennis Center for a fun day of tennis, games, and music at Arthur Ashe Kids Day. The kids had the opportunity to take part in drills, have their serves clocked (one came in at a whopping 77 miles per hour), and watch the pros practice. One of our kids actually caught a stray ball from a pro’s practice session! The day also included live performances by the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, the Bryan Brothers Band, and others.

We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to the United States Tennis Association and the many Carver supporters who made this outing possible – the kids had a great time and can’t wait for next year!

1st Annual Summer Dance Program

2010-08-31T17:30:00.003-04:00

On Monday August 23rd, Carver Center launched its first ever Summer Dance Program. The Summer Dance Program was the pilot program in the brand new Carver Center Dance Academy. Under the instruction of three Master Level Instructors from Purchase College, 20 children learned various ballet, jazz, and modern dance techniques. The children also had the chance to participate in the latest fitness trend- Zumba. On August 27th, these 20 kids showcased their new skills at a Dance Recital attended by their parents, grandparents, and Carver staff. All those in attendance were very impressed with the progress the dancers made with just 15 hours of instructional time over the course of one week. It has been an exciting, fun-filled summer here at Carver and we look forward to growing the Dance Academy in the coming months!

20th Annual Port Chester Unity Day

2010-08-16T16:02:00.006-04:00

On Saturday August 14th, the Port Chester Housing Authority hosted the 20th Annual Port Chester Unity Day at Columbus Park. Derek Vincent Director of Teen Programming and his brother Lou founded Unity Day in 1990 as a basketball tournament to showcase local talent. Now in its 20th year, Unity Day is a community festival attended by hundreds of Port Chester residents as it gives them a chance to reconnect with childhood friends and celebrate their hometown. Executive Director Kerry Walsh presented Tina Foust, a life-long Port Chester resident with a proclamation in recognition of her dedication and service to the children of Carver and the village of Port Chester.

Derek Vincent was also honored for his continued commitment to Port Chester Unity Day. “It was a wonderful day for the Village of Port Chester. We are thrilled so many people attended this event to celebrate our community and its history. The Unity Day Planning Committee is very appreciative of the support we received from the Carver Center and local vendors. With their ongoing support we are able to ensure Unity Day is a success. ” said Derek. The Carver Center salutes Unity Day and looks forward to the next 20 years of teamwork.

4th Annual Port Chester Community Health Fair

2010-08-10T10:16:00.004-04:00

On Saturday August 7th, The Port Chester Health Care Network sponsored the 4th Annual Community Health Fair in celebration of National Community Health Center Week. The Open Door Family Medical Center of Port Chester hosted the event. The Carver Center was in attendance providing program information to local residents. Carver staff encouraged clients to take advantage of the free health screenings and exhibits being administered by Open Door. Executive Director Kerry Walsh was delighted Carver participated in the health fair. She stated “it is a great way to promote our services and assist fellow local organizations in their mission of making quality health care accessible to the economically disadvantaged."

The Carver Center is a proud member of the Port Chester Health Network. The Network is a group of health care providers working to address the needs of the community in Port Chester.

Allan Houston brings basketball and life lessons to Carver kids

2010-07-21T15:17:00.005-04:00

Carver Center is proud to welcome retired NBA star Allan Houston to the Summer Sports Program. Yesterday was the first in a series of weekly basketball clinics that Houston will run for the 40 children in the Summer Sports Program. The drills and exercises will focus on developing fundamental basketball skills and improving every child’s game, regardless of ability. There is also a mentoring component to the program in which each child will work with his or her father or closest male role model.

Click here to read the full story from the Journal News.

Summer Activities in Full Swing at Carver!

2010-07-12T11:00:00.005-04:00

In spite of the sweltering heat, the first week of our Summer Programs was a huge success, with nearly 170 children enjoying the many activities Carver has to offer. Visitors to the Center witnessed plenty of excitement, activity, and noise throughout the building. We took an informal poll of the kids, and so far, swimming tops the list of favorite activities – not a surprise given the record temperatures we experienced last week! Other favorites included harvesting the vegetable garden (we have the biggest zucchinis in town!), running soccer drills (we have a number of hopefuls for the next World Cup), reading, playing board games, and meeting lots of new friends!
On a separate note, please be aware that due to limited storage space, Carver’s Clothing Pantry is unable to accept winter clothing until September 1st. Thank you for your understanding!

Carver Receives $500 Donation From Allstate Agent Hero

2010-07-11T11:28:00.000-04:00

Allstate agency owner Felix Maisonet was recently named an Agent Hero by Allstate Insurance Company’s New York Region, and awarded a $500 grant for a local youth programs. Maisonet donated the grant to the Port Chester Carver Center, a community center that provides social services for children and teens.

“As an Allstate agent, I believe it is my responsibility to demonstrate the Good Hands Promise in the Port Chester community every single day,” said Maisonet, whose office is located at 238 Westchester Avenue in Port Chester. “It is an honor to be able to donate this grant to the Carver Center and hopefully touch the lives of the youth who are involved.”

CARVER ANNUAL APPEAL 100 DONOR CHALLENGE IS RESOUNDING SUCCESS!

2010-07-01T16:14:00.000-04:00

On behalf of the Carver families and Carver staff, we wish to thank all our friends, family members, colleagues and Port Chester community members for your generous support toward helping us realize this Donor Challenge gift. As previously described, two long time friends of Carver pledged $25,000 if we could raise 100 Annual Appeal donations in the last eight weeks of fiscal year which ended June 30th. WITH YOUR HELP WE DID IT!

We launched our Campaign with a $5 donation from a 10 year old boy, wrapped up the Campaign with proceeds from a bake sale held by a group of teenagers and in between received 127 donations. Thank you!

The proceeds from this Challenge will be used to support our summer programs at Carver including the Summer Day Program, the new Summer Sports Program and the new arts initiative “Carver Creates”.

Congratulations Graduates!

2010-06-29T14:15:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was graduation at Port Chester High School, and Carver Center would like to congratulate the entire senior class. Best of luck for a bright future!

Two graduates, Tishauna Nixon and Carol Torres, have worked at Carver in the After-School Program for the last year. Tishauna and Carol are exceptional young women, and each earned several impressive awards and scholarships.

Tishauna Nixon was awarded a Doris Bailey-Reavis Scholarship, recognizing her as a strong African-American woman. She also received the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Award. Tishauna will start her freshman year at SUNY Cobleskill in August.

Carol Torres was awarded the Latinos Unidos/Culture Club Scholarship, and the Port Chester Teachers’ Association Teachers’ Scholarship. Carol graduated in the top 10% of her class. She will be attending Westchester Community College this fall.

Congratulations, Tishauna and Carol! May you go from strength to strength.

Carver Annual Appeal 100 Donor Challenge – Heading into the Final Stretch!

2010-06-18T13:07:00.000-04:00

Yes, we are finally rounding the bend and heading into the final stretch of our 100 Donor Challenge Campaign. Only 12 days remaining to donate. Two long time friends of the Carver Center have stepped forward with a very generous Annual Appeal 100 Donor Challenge. They have agreed to donate $25,000 to Carver once 100 additional donations have been received between now and the end of our fiscal year on June 30th. Donations can be of any amount. We are thrilled to announce as of Friday, June 18th, we have received 81 donations toward our goal of 100. Please consider making a donation to help us reach this goal!

Carver Recognizes Million Dollar Gift

2010-06-15T12:15:00.000-04:00

On June 10, Carver held a reception in recognition of a gift from the Foundation for the United Hospital Medical Center in the amount of $1.1 million which will be used for capital improvements.

The gift is from a Foundation that had been established at the United Hospital for capital improvements. The Foundation raised approximately $8 million, and once the hospital closed, the assets of the Foundation were divided among organizations that address the physical and emotional health and well-being of Port Chester residents. Other recipients of the Foundation’s assets include EMS, Open Door Family Medical Center, and Greenwich Hospital.

Carver’s Executive Director Kerry Walsh was involved with the capital campaign while serving as Vice President of External Affairs at the United Hospital. “It was a very exciting campaign for United that was generously supported by Rye, Greenwich, Harrison, Purchase, and Port Chester residents. I know that the donors are pleased to see these funds being used for Port Chester residents,” said Kerry.

100% of Carver Center Employees give to Donor Challenge!

2010-06-08T13:41:00.000-04:00

Inspired by the success of the Annual Benefit, two long time friends of the Carver Center have stepped forward with a very generous Annual Appeal 100 Donor Challenge. They have agreed to donate $25,000 to Carver once 100 additional donations have been received between now and the end of our fiscal year on June 30th. We are delighted to announce as of Friday, June 4th, 100% of Carver’s full time staff had given to the Donor Challenge. To date, we are at the halfway mark with 51 donations toward our goal of 100. Please consider making a donation to help us reach this goal!

Carver Center Summer Sports Program

2010-06-07T13:38:00.001-04:00

Starting Tuesday July 6th, Carver Center is launching their first ever Summer Sports Program. The Carver Center Sports Program is committed to assisting youngsters develop athletic ability, expand team work skills, build confidence, and interact with peers in a safe, educational, and fun atmosphere, through the guidance of an experienced and dedicated staff. Daily children will participate in basketball, baseball, softball, flag football, cheerleading, soccer, swimming, and tennis. Program cost: $350 per child. Registration: June 16, 2010 at 6pm.

Thank You Children's Hope Chest!

2010-05-24T13:19:00.003-04:00

Carver Center would like to extend a huge thank you to the Children's Hope Chest for organizing one of the biggest food drives of the year! Dozens of dedicated Hope Chest volunteers spent their Sunday manning tables and accepting donations at the White Plains Stop & Shop. Many came back to Carver to help stock the shelves so we would be ready to open at 9:00am on Monday morning. Thanks to the hard work and extraordinary generosity of Children's Hope Chest, Carver's food pantry is well stocked with plenty of non-perishable items. Thank you, Hope Chest!

On a related note, we've been so overwhelmed with the generosity of our supporters over the last few months that we are currently unable to accept donations other than food to the food pantry- the clothing portion of the pantry is full and our storage area is at capacity. We are grateful for your past support and welcome future donations - please check the website periodically for updates as to what we can accept.

Thank you!

Food For Hope

2010-05-20T12:40:00.011-04:00

You Are Invited to Join

The Children's Hope Chest and Stop & Shop

In the fight against hunger in your area

Sunday May 23, 2010 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, at the Stop & Shop located at 154 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY ( Near The Westchester Mall)

Food Collected will benefit the Food Pantry at the Port Chester Carver Center

Food Gift Cards are also a wonderful way to support the pantry.

They are greatly needed to purchase perishables items such as fruits, vegetables, and meat. With your support, we can work together to fight hunger and help needy families!

A Challenge to the Supporters of Carver Center!

2010-05-17T17:22:00.003-04:00

Inspired by the success of the Annual Benefit, two long time supporters of the Carver Center have stepped forward with a very generous Donor Challenge. They have agreed to donate $25,000 to Carver once 100 additional donations have been received between now and the end of our fiscal year on June 30th. These can be donations of ANY amount as long as 100 contributions are received before June 30th. Please consider making a donation to help us reach this goal!

Port Chester-Rye NAACP Chapter "Effie Gordon High Tea"

2010-05-17T10:52:00.001-04:00

On Sunday May 16th, the Port Chester-Rye chapter of the NAACP hosted the first annual Effie Gordon High Tea at the Carver Center. Those in attendance enjoyed poetry readings, music, and food as they honored the late Effie Gordon, a prominent Rye resident, who helped founded the Carver Center. Effie rose from being president of the Port Chester-Rye NAACP branch to become the State of New York NAACP President. Local Civil Rights leaders Doris Bailey-Reavis and Orial Redd expressed their gratitude and admiration for Mrs. Gordon's pioneering efforts.

More Than One Million Dollars Raised at Annual Benefit!

2010-05-05T22:32:00.005-04:00

Carver Center has reached a record fundraising level following its annual gala, held Saturday April 24th at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer led the effort to get the Center a State funded grant totaling $750,000, which, combined with the generous giving of gala guests and area residents, resulted in a total of $1,223,795 in donation

“The generous grant we received under the stewardship of Senator Oppenheimer and the amount of money raised at the Gala primarily from residents in the surrounding community, reflects the incredible support the Center has from all of our neighbors. We have the honor to serve so many Port Chester families, and the proceeds from the evening along with the grant will allow us to continue improving the services we offer, giving our local families the support they need and helping the kids in our programs achieve their goals,” said Kerry Walsh, Carver Center Executive Director.

The Annual Gala event, co-chaired by Augustina Santucci of Rye and Clare Butler of Harrison, drew more than 400 guests to The Capitol Theatre, including keynote speaker Senator Suzi Oppenheimer. Also in attendance were State Assemblyman George Latimer, Westchester County Legislator Martin Rogowsky, Head Coach of the New York Knicks Mike D’Antoni, Assistant to President for Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks Allan Houston, and Dateline NBC correspondent Chris Hansen.

“The real stars are the kids,” said Senator Oppenheimer. “Carver is all about creating Community, and the Community stepped forward as did the State to show its support. This was a very special night and I am delighted to help this wonderful center.”

Think Locally…Think Carver

2010-03-02T11:38:00.012-05:00

Carver Center’s Annual Benefit

Saturday, April 24th

Capitol Theatre
149 Westchester Avenue
Port Chester, NY 10573
http://www.thecapitoltheatre.net/

Chaired by
Clare Butler and Augustina Santucci

This night is a celebration of Carver...everyone who experiences it will be inspired to find ways to give and be a part of the myriad services provided to the families of Port Chester. The evening’s program includes a cocktail hour, sit-down dinner, live auction, a band, a performance by the children’s hip hop class, photo displays, and artwork by the children.