Julie Palma, who joined the Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC) in June 2022, has been appointed as the organization’s Executive Director, effective September 26, 2023. Julie is a resident of Hilton Head Island and lives with her husband Michael in Hilton Head Plantation.

     Julie is the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, providing leadership, knowledge, and professionalism to help NOC grow and prosper so that more low-income families can benefit from NOC’s community development efforts. In keeping with NOC’s mission, business model, and strategic priorities, she will be responsible for the organization’s business, administration, and day-to-day operations.  She will ensure successful implementation of NOC field operations and outreach programs relating to education and enrichment, health and wellness, and workforce/community development. She will give special attention to results and impact, and to building stronger relationships with families, communities, and partner agencies.

     Julie brings to NOC leadership qualities and experience in the field of education, management, and human resource development.  She has over 18 years experience in public education, both teaching and administration, and dealing with high-risk children.  Julie is strongly committed to NOC’s mission, business model, and development approach to lift people out of poverty.

     Julie recognizes that NOC, established in 2008, has been very successful in implementing its mission and programs with tangible results and impact. It has established a strong foundation, a proven business model and development approach, and a high standard of integrity in its operation to grow and expand its programs locally and nationally to help those living in poverty. Julie will build on this foundation and promote the following goals:

GOAL 1. Reduce the “achievement gap” of children from underserved neighborhoods and low-income households locally.

GOAL 2. Improve the health of people living in low-income neighborhoods through health screenings and health and wellness education, referrals, public safety, and good nutrition and wellness.

GOAL 3. Augment skills and knowledge of low-wage workers through NOC’s workforce development and social entrepreneurship programs.

GOAL 4. Build stronger communities through NOC’s outreach programs and community development efforts in low-income neighborhoods served by NOC.

GOAL 5. Replicate NOC model in other low-income neighborhoods locally, statewide, and nationally over the next three years.

Derek, a second grader, attends NOC’s after school and enrichment programs at the Oaks Learning Center in Hilton Head Island. He is an excellent student, dedicated to learning and acquiring new knowledge. On Wednesday this week (September 27), Derek got off the school bus glued to his book, reading intensely with an expression of joy.

Instead of joining the other kids for a snack and short break before entering the learning center, Derek continued reading his book. He was in his own world, oblivious to the noise of the children around him.

Derek is a smart kid with a bright future.

The 2022-2023 academic year, including the 2023 summer session, provided children at NOC’s Waters at Ribaut and Marsh Pointe Learning Centers with a safe and accessible environment for supplementary learning and enrichment activities.  The children were enthusiastically engaged in NOC’s programs and benefitted from the support they received from NOC’s dedicated staff and volunteers. During the academic year, NOC served 119 students from the Marsh Pointe and Waters at Ribaut apartment complexes.

Stephanie Frazier, NOC’s Program Manager at Waters at Ribaut, remarked:

• All the students have been impacted positively by NOC, one way or another.

• NOC’s programs have brought out the joy of learning in the students.

• Jaylyn gets excited when we do science activities.  She really lit up with excitement when she was able to create her own stars with our Galaxy Jars activity.

• Rayven loves math and science, so he was able to incorporate his love of these two subjects when he built his Gears Structure during a S.T.E.M. activity.

NOC extends a special thanks to the NOC field team, parents, and friends.

 

NOC is grateful for our families and the many ways they partner with us.  Recently a group of families participated in an NOC community clean-up around the New Oaks Learning Center.  Volunteers mowed the lawn, cut the hedges, and picked up trash along Southwood Park Drive to brighten our community.  They made sure the NOC Learning Center sign is visible to all those passing by on Highway 278.

 

The event was a great way to connect to our families and our neighbors.