NOC Chair, Dr. Narendra P Sharma made a presentation about the situation at the Cordillo Program Center where NOC serves children and families living in poverty. The Cordillo Courts Board wants NOC to terminate its afterschool program immediately. Dr. Doug Fletcher, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head, organized a meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church. He extended to other community churches the following invitation to participate in the meeting:

“Dear colleague in ministry, I am writing to alert you to the fact that Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC) has been told by the Board at Cordillo Courts that they are no longer welcome to serve the 50 neighborhood children in the after school learning program there. They are being fined daily for operating in conflict with the board’s decision despite the fact that the Board had originally invited them in. …  I would like to invite you and interested members of your congregation to a meeting of the religious community to hear Dr. Sharma share what is taking place. You undoubtedly know of the work of NOC on the Island and in Beaufort County. With six after school learning centers touching over 450 children of low income families, NOC has demonstrated measurable results in student test scores. NOC has received numerous recognitions, including grants from the Community Foundation and Beaufort County schools. It has been lifted up for its work as one of the President George H.W. Bush “Thousand Points of Light.” Dr. Narendra Sharma was recently recognized with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Community Service.  God bless you.”

Dr. Sharma’s presentation can be viewed at the following link:  First Presbyterian Church Presentation

NOC Chair, Dr. Narendra P. Sharma’s statement on issues relating to affordable housing in Hilton Head Island and Beaufort was read at a stakeholders meeting organized by the NBSC (National Bank of South Carolina) on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.  Dr. Sharma’s statement emphasized the seriousness of this issue affecting low-wage workers and families locally.  He pointed out that lack of affordable housing, especially for low-wage workers, will, over time, increase wage costs, add to labor scarcity locally, and undermine investments.  He said that there is a role for the Town and local businesses to play in finding innovative solutions to tackle this important issue.

Thomas Henz made the following remark: “Please thank Dr. Sharma on behalf of the entire board and staff and our guests Wednesday for his statement on affordable housing. Highlighting the extent and consequences of our severe local affordable housing shortage was quite thought-provoking.  Perhaps we had a sufficient mix of key stakeholders at our meeting to help move this issue forward toward developing solutions.”

NOC Chairman, Dr. Narendra Sharma gave a talk on  Overcoming poverty and income-inequality: A global and local imperative, to the Unitarian Church of the Lowcountry on November 12, 2016. In his opening remarks, Dr. Sharma said that “We live in a constant state of flux where our lives and the world we live in are continuously changing. This phenomenon alters the social order and brings uncertainty. It unleashes forces that impact the quality of our lives and our aspirations. There are gainers and losers due to these changes. The gainers benefit while losers are often angry, frustrated, and pessimistic. The losers want change because they want their fair share. They see hope in change irrespective of its consequences.

“This phenomenon has been occurring with increasing intensity throughout the world over the past 50 years. The key forces are globalization, technological advancement, the emergence of capital markets, and the flow of capital, trade, and movement of people. These forces have combined to change modes of production and use of resources, economies, consumption patterns, investments, and communication. They have also given rise to significant income inequality throughout the world.

“In addition, these forces have increased interdependency among countries and contributed to enormous growth in wealth and a global economy. This trend has benefited a few while leaving many behind.  This outcome has created tension, apathy, and a sense of helplessness. This is the reality and paradox that we face today. Our challenge is to address the issue of poverty and income inequality at the local, national, and global levels within the realm of capitalism, free market, and democracy.  Dr. Sharma outlined specific recommendations for Beaufort County.

Follow the link below to see his presentation.

Overcoming Poverty and Income Inequality_NSharma_11-2016