Gary Tauscher was recognized on March 20, 2019 by NOC’s Board of Directors and senior staff for his distinguished service to the organization.  Gary served as an NOC Board Director for 5 years.  During this time, he served as Chair of NOC’s Grants Committee, writing grants and providing leadership in raising significant capital to support NOC’s mission and outreach programs in Beaufort County. Gary also chaired NOC’s highly successful Special Golf event for two years, and was actively involved in frontline activities at NOC’s learning centers in Beaufort County. Dr. Narendra Sharma, Founder and Chair, praised Gary’s dedication, and outstanding work and commitment in helping NOC grow and expand its outreach programs in Beaufort County.  He also recognized Gary’s compassion for the poor, especially children, who carry the burden of poverty.

In response to the above, Gary Tauscher made the following remarks:

 In the “light of day” I would like to acknowledge last night’s Board Meeting.  First of all, I want to thank Dr. Sharma for convincing me to join the NOC Board some 5 years ago.  Like you, I am amazed that the organization is ten years old and that so much has been accomplished.  More importantly, I am proud to have been a member of the “Sharma Team” and part of the evolution of the organization for the last 5 years.

 There is still much to be done, and I’m convinced you will succeed in accomplishing the various goals discussed during the Board meeting.  Having worked with Dr. Sharma and the NOC program managers, teachers, and host of volunteers for five years, I think I have developed an appreciation for the challenges facing the community the Neighborhood Outreach Connection serves.  There are a number of reasons that the greater Hilton Head Community doesn’t know about NOC and what it does.  In my opinion, one of the major reasons for that lack of awareness is that our clients are not only underserved; they are also ignored by that Community.  In spite of this, the potential that they represent is worthy of the commitment the NOC organization is making on their behalf.

 While I am leaving the Board, my wife, Judy and I remain committed to the mission of NOC and you can count on us as “disciples”, volunteers, and financial supporters of the Neighborhood Outreach Connection as you work towards accomplishing the NOC Mission.

As 2019 dawns, we want to remind you of the happy children who participate in NOC’s after school and summer learning programs. Rain or shine, these children come to NOC’s 6 learning centers in Beaufort County, SC., with smiling faces and a sense of anticipation.

These children look forward to spending time with teachers from their own schools, volunteers, and NOC field staff.  They enjoy a healthy snack before settling down to complete their homework and receive tutoring support from these caring people. The children have access to personal computers and the internet, as well as the skills and knowledge of the field team.

Many of these children appreciate that they can walk to their homes from the learning centers. Many enjoy meeting at least one of their parents, mostly mothers, after the session is over. The end of term is extra special, when children receive awards and completion certificates. The day is festive and children have fun.

We are proud of the progress these children are showing, and so are our funders and supporters. You, too, can share in this success by supporting NOC.

After 10 years, NOC is poised to increase its impact in low income neighborhoods, both locally and nationally, as we ring in 2019.  In recent years, we have successfully served over 500 children annually in our Learning Centers, hosted health screenings for over 200 individuals, and benefitted more than 1,500 people through NOC’s community development activities. We now welcome our new Executive Director, Mrs. Cynthia Jenkins, JD, as NOC advances its strategic goals and priorities as we move forward.

 Cynthia is coming to NOC as a proactive community leader who has amassed a wealth of experience and positive results in spearheading community development efforts, fund raising, and collaborative partnerships, both large and small.  Cynthia received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and earned a Juris Doctorate of Law degree from the University of Toledo (Ohio).

Cynthia currently resides in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, but looks forward to establishing residence in the Hilton Head area.  Having worked in human resources, economic development, human services, and education over the last three decades, Cynthia is committed to being a catalyst for advancing NOC’s mission and outreach programs to improve the quality of life for those living in poverty.

Over the past ten years, NOC has grown from one small class with five students to six centers spread across Beaufort County serving more than 500 students. Such growth does not happen without a strong administrative foundation.

 Corbin Stripling (right) is NOC’s new Director of Field Operations. He is responsible for NOC’s Learning Centers and education programs, as well as field operations relating to health screenings, adult education, and workforce development.

Daniel McKeown (left) is NOC’s new Director of Development & Marketing. He is responsible for NOC’s marketing activities, communication, resource mobilization, and fundraising. He is also responsible for building relationships with partner agencies.

 

An Interview with Laura Hernandez, Hilton Head High IB Diploma Candidate, Former NOC Student, Resident of the Oaks

By: Ella Patrick, NOC 2018 Program Assistant

Laura Hernandez is a bright, passionate, funny, and well-spoken resident of the Oaks community, located on Hilton Head Island. This summer, I had the opportunity to get to know Laura while working at the Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC) Learning Center in the Oaks, whose residents provide a significant labor resource on HHI and who mainly speak English as a second language. Laura is currently a senior at Hilton Head Island High School and one of the original students of NOC in the Oaks Learning Center. Laura moved to the United States from Mexico when she was five years old. She is a straight “A” student and an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Candidate. The IB program is one of the most rigorous secondary education curriculums in the world. Laura is on track to apply to attend university next year. She attributes much of her success to NOC and the opportunities and resources it has provided for her and her community at-large.

During the interview (see link below), Laura describes how, since 2008, NOC’s involvement through education and empowerment of community residents has forever improved the Oaks. She also describes how NOC created a safe learning environment for her and provided resources, such as technology and internet access, that she needed to achieve success in school. In Beaufort County, students are given computer tablets to access their books and to complete homework.  Yet, the vast majority of Oaks residents don’t have access to the internet. At the NOC Learning Center, the students have access to computers, internet, teachers and tutors/volunteers to help with homework – all factors of educational success that Laura attests to as well. Laura noted the involvement of her parents and others at the Oaks in NOC’s learning center and programs. She talked about the importance of health screenings, playground, and adult classes provided by NOC.

In conclusion, Laura Hernandez’s story is one of many success stories of NOC students and within the NOC Learning communities.  Please watch the interview below to see how NOC has impacted Laura. I trust Laura will leave a lasting impression on you…as she did me.

Hear Laura’s interview:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDyJugb8IK8