nocadmin – Page 9

An Hour a Day: Reaching For the American Dream

September 9, 2016 By nocadmin

Carol Lineman spent several hours at NOC’s Cordillo Learning Center, observing the program in action, focusing especially on the internet-based Compass Learning software. She saw children completing homework under the supervision of teachers from our local schools. She spoke to the children about their challenges and achievements. She saw that NOC’s learning centers provide a safe and attractive environment for children who live in poverty and have only limited academic support at home.

Based on this experience, Carol then wrote a short story that captures a typical day at an NOC learning center. Use the link below to read Carol’s story.

Carol’s story: offer-one-hour-to-make-a-difference-in-a-childs-life

“Why you shouldn’t worry that South Carolina ACT scores fell last year.”

August 29, 2016 By nocadmin

According to a recent article in the Beaufort Gazette, composite 2016 ACT scores, which indicate college readiness of high school seniors, declined in both South Carolina and Beaufort County. The article (linked below) provides details on this shift in performance. NOC must sustain its mission to help children living in poverty to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to excel academically.

“Back to School 2016” at Parkview

August 17, 2016 By nocadmin

Well over one hundred people participated in the first annual Parkview Experience: Back to School 2016, co-sponsored by Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC) and the Atlantic Housing Foundation. Rev. Antwan Milledge and his wife Sabrina, the United Community Group, and other local sponsors contributed food and donations to support the event.

Twenty- five students received free haircuts, compliments of Rev. Milledge and Unique Cuts of Beaufort.

Also attending were Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling; Dr. Narendra Sharma, NOC Founder and Chair; NOC Board Members Will Achurch and Bill Evans, and John Leadem, NOC Program Manager for Parkview; Chief Matthew Clancy of the Beaufort Police Department, as well as several other members of the police and fire departments; Beaufort Elementary School Principal Melissa Holland and Assistant Principal Vicki Goude; and Yanet Claxton and Tashya Norman of Atlantic Housing.

In addition to grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, the children and their families were treated to a variety of desserts and beverages. Guest speaker Caleb Brown from Committed to Excellence encouraged students to do well in school and he praised NOC for its efforts and success in Beaufort. The young people (and even some adults) enjoyed jumping in the bounce castle and running in the sack race competition. Each student left with a generous supply of back-to-school supplies donated by Atlantic Housing, The Greenery, and Unique Cuts.

Despite a few moments of rain, nothing dampened the enthusiasm of all in attendance.

Message from the Chair

July 5, 2016 By nocadmin

Dear Friends:

I hope you, your family, and your friends enjoyed a happy 4^th of July.

July 4^th is a special day for us all … for Americans as well as for others who respect our core values of freedom, liberty, and social justice, and who envy our powerful economy, innovation, and exceptionalism. It is indeed a day of celebration and goodwill. But it is also a day for reflection.

There is much to be grateful for as a citizen of this great nation. But we must not ignore the fact that there is not a level playing field for everyone to achieve economic and social progress.

Today, there is income inequality in our country, as well as throughout the world. Many individuals, families, communities, and countries are unable to realize the rewards of economic growth and globalization. On a global scale, more than 2 billion people live in poverty and the gulf between the haves and have-nots is widening. More than 45 million people right here in our country live in poverty. Like people throughout the world, these people want their fair share of wealth and growing economies. The poor want freedom from poverty in order to have dignity. They want opportunities and pathways to economic and social progress to get ahead in life.

This brings us to NOC. Our mission is to fight poverty by empowering the poor through NOC’s outreach programs in poverty stricken neighborhoods. NOC is making a difference by helping the poor but we can do more. Your proactive involvement in implementing NOC’s mission and programs is critical. I hope you will take some time to reflect on this imperative and define your goals to help NOC implement its mission more effectively.

NOC needs your commitment and support to move forward. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the many people who are struggling to make ends meet. We can help children living in poverty to excel academically and be successful later in life. We can build stronger communities by helping them move out of poverty. I am sure that was the dream of the people who toiled to give birth to this great country. That dream is still alive today.

Best wishes and warm regards,

Narendra P. Sharma, PhD

Founder and Chair, Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC)

Phone: 703-309-6939 (c)

2016 “Fore the Teachers” Golf Tournament

June 23, 2016 By nocadmin

Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC) focuses on creating opportunities within distressed neighborhoods on Hilton Head Island, in Greater Bluffton, and in Beaufort by connecting resources, services, and technology to the people who need them most.

NOC’s flagship program is an after-school tutoring program that brings teachers and volunteers into neighborhood “learning centers” to provide homework help during the school year, as well as a Virtual Summer Learning Program during the schools’ summer vacation.

Employing teachers for NOC’s education programs is critical to the academic success of participating students.

Your participation in the “Fore the Teachers” Golf Tournament — Friday, September 30, at Port Royal Golf Club — will support the teachers who make it possible for NOC to continue its excellent work with students in the after-school program.

For complete details see the registration forms attached below or call Sue Todd at 843-815-5636 or Bill Burger at 843- 681-8815.

Not a golfer? You can still participate. Your donation of $1200.00 will support one student for an entire year! Call Liz Merrill in the NOC Office (843-681-4100) for details.

2016 NOC GOLF TOURNAMENT

2016 TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION

2016 TOURNAMENT SPONSOR