The Port Chester Carver Center has a new top administrator after the retirement of Executive Director Kerry Walsh. During her four-year tenure, Walsh led an expansion and renovation of the community center, a former YMCA building on Westchester Avenue.
The new interim director comes from Neighborhood Studios, a community center in Bridgeport, Conn. Here is the news release:
*
The Port Chester Carver Center Board of Directors announced Kerry Walsh is retiring effective December 31, 2012 after four years as Executive Director and eleven years of dedicated stewardship as a Board member and Board President. Under her leadership, Carver Center received significant contributions to the endowment, and for program expansion and capital improvements. Dinah Howland, Board President, expressed her sincere appreciation to Ms. Walsh for “her tireless commitment to Carver and to the families served by the Center. The Board recognizes the many contributions she has made to strengthen Carver Center’s presence within the Port Chester community.”
Donald F. Rainone, Ph.D. has been appointed Interim Executive Director. For the last seven years, Dr. Rainone served as Executive Director/CEO of Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, a nonprofit which provides arts and educational programming year-round to children and youth from underserved communities, with a special emphasis on those with physical disabilities and special needs. Previously, Dr. Rainone served for over twenty years in the Sarasota Public School system in various capacities, including Director of the Visual Performing Arts Center. He holds a B.S. in Art Education, an M.A. in Painting, graduate certificates in Special Education and Cultural Diversity, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/Interdisciplinary Education.
Dr. Rainone says “he is honored to bring his leadership experience and fresh perspective to the Carver Center” where he looks forward to working closely with stakeholders and supporters, and fostering Carver’s thriving relationship with the Port Chester community.
Carver Center is the primary community-based organization in Port Chester, offering educational, recreational, cultural and civic services for pre-school children, youth, adults, and seniors, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of underprivileged youth. The Center’s vision is to “build brighter futures” – that is, give people the resources and tools they need to lead productive, self sufficient lives. To learn more about Carver Center, visit the website at www.carvercenter.org.
