With more than 15 years experience advising clients on business immigration and labor and employment law issues, Melissa Azallion represents clients in multiple industries including manufacturing, technology, health care, quick service/food service, hospitality, government and education.  In addition to serving as legal counsel for clients over the past fifteen years, Ms. Azallion has worked as a Human Resources Administrator and Affirmative Action Director for the University of Dayton, where she was responsible for writing and directing the University’s Affirmative Action Plan. Ms. Azallion joined the McNair Law Firm in 2012 as a shareholder and heads the immigration practice for the Firm. Ms. Azallion is licensed in South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, and the Federal District Court.

Ms. Azallion frequently speaks to community and business organizations on immigration and employment topics. She is active in numerous professional organizations: Board of Directors of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce; member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Board of Directors and Past Chair of Memory Matters; Lowcountry Workforce Investment Board; and Immigration Chair, South Carolina Bar Association, Labor and Employment Committee.

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.

As we enter our fifth year of operation, NOC’s resolution for 2013f is to continue assisting families in need in Hilton Head Island and Greater Bluffton to achieve the American Dream. We remain steadfast in our belief that poverty is best combated through education, health services, and work force development, which together hold the power to transform opportunities into attainable possibilities.

While much work remains to be done, NOC has many success stories to share.

In our first year of operation, Laura came to the NOC after school tutoring classes. She was struggling with both reading and math skills, and was performing well below grade level. Dedicated NOC tutors worked with Laura, encouraging her and providing support, including Internet access, that was not available at home. NOC did not give up on Laura and she began to make progress. Laura’s teachers saw the change in her performance and at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, Laura (and three other students from NOC’s programs) was moved into the Beaufort County Gifted and Talented Program. This year Laura is entering Middle School, a successful and confident student with a great future ahead of her.

NOC is making a difference in young lives.

One key to NOC’s success is the involvement of dedicated principals, teachers, and volunteers who give their time and skills to NOC’s education programs. Why? Because they believe that the future of our community, our state, and our country depends on all children being educated and equipped with the skills required to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Another key to NOC’s success is the support of the local business community that has generously given materials, labor, and advice to assist NOC in the renovation and equipping of its Program Centers located within the neighborhoods that NOC serves. Why? Because these business leaders recognize that the health of our local economy depends on an educated labor force.

Yet another key to NOC’s success is the commitment of local health care providers who bring wellness clinics, pre-natal classes, and eye and dental exams into the neighborhoods that NOC serves. Why? Because they believe that lack of money or lack of transportation should not be obstacles to peoples’ access to basic health care.

Educated and healthy neighborhoods add value to the local community and all our lives. Each year we rely on the generosity of others to address a variety of needs: funding for after school and summer learning programs; compensation for teachers; support for health programs. NOC creates bottom-up solutions and assists some 10,000 people right here in our own community, but we need help.

You can be a part of the solution.

Help us fight poverty by making a tax deductible donation to NOC.
Donor $35-$75

Contributor $76-$150

Supporter $151-$500

Benefactor $501 and above

 Please mail your Tax Deductible Contribution, payable to NOC, to:

Neighborhood Outreach Connection
P.O. Box 23588
Hilton Head Island, SC 29925