NOC’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Ally McNair as its new Vice Chair. Ally has served on NOC’s executive committee and has been instrumental in building the Board in keeping with NOC’s strategic priorities. She has played an important role in raising funds for NOC and in marketing NOC’s outreach programs. She will be active in implementing NOC’s priorities in its second five –year phase of growth and expansion, drawing on her past experience and knowledge of organizational effectiveness, networking, and communication.
Archives for 2013
Window of Opportunity for Adults in Low-Income Neighborhoods
In response to high demand by residents in some low-income neighborhoods, NOC has opened a window of opportunity for women and men who, because of lack of transportation or lack of time, are unable to attend English classes offered by other service providers. Individuals now have the opportunity to participate in English classes twice a week at NOC’s Program Centers in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.
The location of NOC’s Program Centers has been vitally important in allowing individuals to participate in the evenings, after work, and before they settle down for the evening. NOC’s Bluffton program, which started last year, is carried out in partnership with Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry, while the program in Hilton Head Island, which began this summer, is conducted by Emily Blackshire, NOC’s Summer Learning Coordinator in HHI, with help from volunteers. The demand for this program remains high since individuals know that mastering basic English will empower them to get better jobs locally, give them dignity and self-esteem, and allow them to assimilate into the American culture.
Instructor Emily Blackshire notes that: “We want to foster an environment for community members to practice their language skills and learn English specifically geared towards the workplace and that will pertain to everyday life. Class will meet twice per week and students will be grouped with others on a similar level of knowledge of the English language. The class will be focused on what students find to be most applicable in their own lives so their input and participation are crucial in planning lessons. All aspects of the class will (ideally) be focused on exactly what students most struggle with and seek in an English class.”
NOC’s Summer Virtual Learning in High Demand
NOC launched its Summer Virtual Learning Program on June 10, 2013, in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, a week prior to the Beaufort County School District’s (BCSD) formal opening. With three years of experience, NOC wanted to give its students a head start to maximize gains in learning for the eight-week program. More than 120 students are now participating in the program and NOC has a waiting list of students who want to join the summer program.
In 2012, NOC students who participated in the Summer Virtual Learning Program scored better than the average of Beaufort County virtual summer learning program participants. In math 57% of NOC students showed no loss of learning over the previous academic year compared to 44% for BCSD virtual summer learning students, based on results of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests taken in spring and fall of 2012. Likewise, in language arts, NOC students scored 51% compared to 48% for BCSD students. NOC’s goal is to do even better this year.
For the Summer Virtual Learning Program, students from low income neighborhoods come to NOC’s Program Centers in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton to spend two hours on Compass Learning (an internet-based learning platform that provides flexibility and can be used at any time). Each student spends half of the time on math and the remaining time on language arts. Lessons are tailored to each student’s reading and math scores, thus helping all students, those who are behind, as well as others who doing well and can excel. Summer loss of learning is greatest among students from low-income neighborhoods because of lack of opportunities for continuous learning and access to internet.
Teachers and volunteers at NOC’s Program Centers provide oversight and timely input to students who participate in the summer program.
With its new Virtual Learning Center at Oaks, funded by the Van Landingham Rotary Club, NOC is playing an important role in helping children in low income neighborhoods excel in school and improve academic performance.
NOC Summer Program Coordinator in Hilton Head Island
Emily Blackshire shows enormous commitment, dedication, and compassion as she helps others through community service. She first came to NOC in 2010 as a high school tutor while she was completing her studies at Hilton Head Prep. Emily quickly connected with the children and gained significant insights about people living in a low-income neighborhood. She understood their struggles and challenges in coping with day-to-day living and their desire to move forward to achieve a better quality of life. Instead of immediately going to a university, Emily made a courageous move by taking an assignment in Uganda to work on a sustainable development project, helping women to generate income and employment. Following this important work, Emily took a position in Washington with a social entrepreneurship company, which allowed her to broaden her understanding of issues relating to development. Clearly, Emily, in a short period, has matured and acquired much practical experience.
Early this summer, Emily returned to NOC to apply her new knowledge and experience through NOC’s summer outreach program in the Oaks. She is presently coordinator of NOC’s eight week summer virtual learning program in Hilton Head Island, which has more than 60 students enrolled. Emily works diligently with teachers and volunteers to make this program highly successful. In addition, she has launched several elective programs in arts and science and field visits for small groups of children. She also teaches an ESL class twice a week. To accomplish these tasks, Emily has mobilized support from her friends. She is very popular with children who find her friendly, hardworking, and kind.
In Emily’s own words …
“I was introduced to Neighborhood Outreach Connection midway through my junior year of high school when Dr. Sharma first stood before an assembly to tell us about his methods for empowerment. Instantly enthused at the prospect of working alongside communities to create opportunities from the inside out, I began tutoring once or twice each week at the Oaks; little did I know at the time what a tremendous impact it would have on my life… Instead of attending university immediately after graduating, I spent four months in Uganda working with an economic sustainability project focused on giving women internally displaced from years of civil war a steady income making jewelry and bags. I then returned to the States to work with a social entrepreneurship company called Ashoka in their global headquarters in Washington, DC. Throughout my year away, my passion for development as a community construct and a “hand-up not hand-out” approach was only further solidified, specifically in the fields of healthcare, education, and workforce development (precisely the model of NOC!). I worked throughout the spring to earn my TEFL/TESOL certificate to teach English as a second language and now lead English classes for adults, teach an art and science program, and coordinate the summer Compass Learning Program. I am unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such incredible leaders, both within the community and on staff and hope to continue working alongside NOC throughout my time at Clemson over the next few years.”
In August, Emily will resume her education at Clemson, but she intends to keep her connection with NOC. Emily is an outstanding role model for other young people who have an interest in community service.
Fire Truck and Ambulance Popular with NOC Children
On June 21, when the children at the Oaks Apartments woke up, they were excited and looking forward to spending time with people from the Hilton Head Fire Department, who have the reputation for entertaining kids while teaching them about safety in riding bikes and crossing streets.
The day was delightful and the weather was fine, not too hot for about 30 kids to be outside having a good time on a special day. They had heard from their friends that the Fire Department is very generous, giving children gifts and colorful bicycle helmets.
The children were correct. Cinda Seaman and her team from the Hilton Head Fire Department were extra special. They told the kids about safety and gave them a tour of a fire truck and ambulance. The children found the tour exciting. They asked questions and were intrigued by all the equipment. Some of these children aspire to become firemen; others hold great admiration for this important profession. Children received gifts, including helmets, which made them look like aliens from an unknown planet.
This event was highly successful. As in the past, the Hilton Head Fire Fighter’s Association has given a small grant to NOC to support its Neighborhood Soccer League, which is popular among children and parents in low-income neighborhoods.
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