New Canaan CARES is an independent non-profit community organization whose purpose is to advance the health and well-being of our youth and families.   CARES provides responsive education programs that support and strengthen parent skills, positive youth development and healthy lifestyles - free of charge.  CARES is establishing this scholarship in honor of Claudia Monaco.  Claudia was a 1997 graduate of New Canaan High School who returned to New Canaan with a purpose of shaping some of the town's youngest learners.  While teaching at East Elementary School, she was a constant source of strength and happiness.  She devoted her life to the well-being of her students, spending the last 10 years teaching kindergarten.