NOC recently appointed Kelly Lamb (right) as its Program Manager for Bluffton field operations and Andreza De Jesus (left) as its Neighborhood Liaison for Bluffton. Together, they will advance NOC’s mission and programs, building on the significant gains NOC has made over the past five years.

NOC has a robust outreach program in Bluffton, focusing on pre-school and after-school programs, health screenings, and workforce development. NOC’s flagship education program is attracting more than 100 students. Both Kelly and Andreza will build on this program focusing primarily on student academic performance and achievement and building a stronger relationship with families and the community as a whole in Bluffton House. They will also play an important role in implementing NOC’s second five-year phase which focuses on growth and expansion.

Kelly Lamb brings outstanding credentials to NOC, with more than ten years’ experience in the field of education (early, elementary, and middle school), program development and implementation, communication, and community outreach. She resides in Beaufort with her husband and daughter.

Andreza De Jesus, a resident of Bluffton, brings local knowledge and connections with various communities in the area. Her professional experience includes organization and management of home schooling activities in Bluffton. She is proactive in community services and in dealing with multicultural communities. Andreza is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

The Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC) hosted the “Fore the Teachers” Golf Tournament on May 18 at Port Royal Plantation Golf Club – Planters Row Course — to raise money to support the dedicated teachers who participate in NOC’s after school programs in HHI and Bluffton.

Teachers are the backbone of NOC’s education program, which helps children in low-income neighborhoods improve their learning skills in math and language arts so that they can meet school standards and excel academically.

Many people helped to make this tournament a success by signing up to play; by spreading the word about the tournament; by encouraging friends to join in as well. Many of you also contributed by helping NOC identify sponsors who were willing to support the tournament through financial contributions. See Attachment below for tournament details.

Raising additional funds for teachers allows us to have more teachers participate, along with high school tutors and adult volunteers, thus providing quality and consistent support to children participating in NOC’s extended learning program. NOC’s after school program is vitally important for children in low-income neighborhoods who receive little support at home and have limited opportunities within their community.

We must invest in the children … they are our future. And teachers are our front-line warriors in promoting literacy and acquisition of information and knowledge.

Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC) extends a special thanks to those Board members of the VanLandingham Rotary Club (VLRC) who attended a reception at NOC’s new Virtual Learning Center at The Oaks, which was funded by a recent grant of $75,000 from VLRC. Shannon Stephens, President of VLRC, said that he was pleased to report that VLRC’s 2013 Annual Auction raised $80,000. This outcome will allow VLRC to make a significant contribution toward its pledge to NOC. In response to Stephens’ remarks, Naren Sharma, NOC’s Chair and founder, said that the new Virtual Learning Center is an innovative way to facilitate learning in low-income neighborhoods, paving avenues for continuous learning for children and adults. Sharma said that the new Virtual Learning Center will become a model to replicate in other neighborhoods throughout the state and the country in order to prepare children and adults for the challenges of the 21st century. He predicted that within three to five years, outsiders will visit this center to learn about this model for educating people within neighborhoods.