Messages From the Chair

Affordable Housing a Serious Issue

March 5, 2017 By nocadmin

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.”

Overcoming Poverty and Income Inequality

March 5, 2017 By nocadmin

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

Sharma Addresses Local Group

November 17, 2016 By nocadmin

Dr. Narendra Sharma, NOC Board Chair, recently gave a talk to the Unitarian Church of the Lowcountryon Overcoming poverty and income-inequality: A global and local imperative. Dr. Sharma noted 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 spread with increasing intensity throughout the world over the past 50 years. Key forces are globalization, technological advancement, the emergence of capital markets and 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 of change have increased interdependency among countries and contributed to enormous growth in wealth and the rise of a global economy. This trend has benefited a few while leaving many behind, creating tension, apathy, and a sense of helplessness. This is the reality and paradox that we face today.

We face the challenge of addressing poverty and income inequality at the local, national, and global level within the realm of capitalism, free market, and democracy.

Dr. Sharma outlined specific recommendations for Beaufort County.

To view Dr. Sharma’s presentation, click here: sharma-presentation

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)

Words from the Chair

May 13, 2016 By nocadmin

I visited NOC’s two Learning Centers in downtown Beaufort — Parkview and Marsh Pointe. I saw hope and optimism in the faces of the children who were there. After almost a year, these students are showing significant results in academic performance, attendance, behavior, and parent involvement. While I have been optimistic from the outset, these children are achieving excellent results faster than our expectations. Clearly, the NOC model is working and is highly relevant to creating opportunities for children and families who live in neighborhoods with limited resources and services. The hard work of the NOC team, together with the teachers, volunteers, and friends of NOC, is generating positive payoffs.