Bluffton House Apartments, location of one of NOC’s two Learning Centers in Greater Bluffton, is in the process of being upgraded into a luxury apartment development. This move raises once again challenges to NOC’s efforts to meet the education needs of many children from low-income families currently residing the in the complex.

For more information, read the full article that appeared recently in the Island Packet.

http://www.islandpacket.com/2015/09/08/3915137_bluffton-house-affordable-housing.html?rh=1

 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.

Hiring teachers for NOC’s education programs is critical to the academic success of participating students. Your participation in the “Fore the Teachers” Golf Tournament — Saturday, September 19, at Bear Creek Golf Club — will enable teachers to continue their excellent work with students in the NOC after-school program.

For complete details see the registration forms attached below or call Gary Tauscher at 843-‎689-5712

2015 NOC Tournament

2015 PLAYER REGISTRATION

2015 Sponsor Opportunity  

 

 

 

 

 

August 13 was a special day.  The first cohort of NOC students from Parkview and Marsh Pointe Apartments in downtown Beaufort successfully completed their summer learning program with the help of dedicated NOC staff, teachers from Beaufort Elementary School, committed parents, and the management team of the two apartment complexes.   NOC, BCSD, and the Beaufort Community can be proud of this program which has given hope and opportunity to children and families in need of support.

John Leadem, Program Manager, Beaufort Program, said:

 The final week of the Virtual Summer Learning Program was marked by much enthusiasm and a drive to finish the program on a positive note. Fourteen students achieved perfect attendance; seven at each center. Each of the fourteen perfect attendance students received McDonald’s gift cards. For their high academic performance and attendance,  Zymere Davis at Parkview and Ja’Niah Milledge at Marsh Pointe won bicycles. Six other children received Walmart gift card and the remainder chose from some “premium” gifts in the Pirate’s Treasure Chest. The celebrations were highlighted by a visit by Dr. Sharma who spoke passionately to the children about education, the value of hard work, and their bright futures. We also were honored by the presence of Principal Melissa Holland and the new Beaufort Elementary School Principal Vickie Goud. Ms. Holland greeted the students warmly and shared some special words about the value of NOC in their educational plans and our partnership with the kids’ school and teachers. A special moment at Marsh Pointe occurred when one student’s (Omarion Cohen) grandmother Linda appeared at the door of the classroom with four pizzas for the kids in thanks for the great summer Omarion has experienced. The children were delighted as they ate pizza and made their own-ice cream sundaes, including whipped cream, crushed cookies, and flavored syrups. In addition, the lunch program sent each child home with a bagged lunch. Many hugs and “see you in Augusts” were exchanged and the children left the centers with certificates, progress reports, gifts, and other items in hand. A fine ending to a successful summer campaign.

Learn about NOC

The Giving Marketplace is an initiative of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. It is a free, online, searchable database containing comprehensive information about local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

With The Giving Marketplace you can:

• search Lowcountry nonprofits by name or by category
• compare nonprofits – their  missions, their programs, their outcomes
• print easy-to-read nonprofit profiles
• find out each organization’s greatest needs
• discover the impact a nonprofit is having in our community
• access exhaustive information to help you make informed and meaningful charitable giving decisions
• make an online gift to a nonprofit – directly from the site – so you can feel good about doing good.

More than 60 nonprofits are currently working on or have completed individual profiles and more are joining every day. Each nonprofit profile includes in-depth information about the organization’s programs, governance, finances, management and operations.

So go ahead – log on and feel good about doing good!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In partnership with the BCSD and with funding from the State of South Carolina, NOC has established two Program Centers in the underserved neighborhoods of Parkview Apartments and Marsh Pointe Housing (about 120 apartments with predominantly African American population) in Beaufort.  At Parkview, an apartment unit has been converted into a classroom and at Marsh Pointe, the on-site Community Center is used as classrooms.  Beaufort Elementary School teachers and staff are working at these Program Centers during the summer, leading sessions in math, language arts, and literacy skills for elementary and middle school students from the neighborhoods.  At the Centers, students are provided with personal laptops along with Internet access to Compass Learning, the same program used by the students in their classroom during the school year.  The team works with Neighborhood Liaisons who help enroll students and maintain support in the residential area for the program.  Open houses and parent meetings are planned to further the involvement of neighborhood adults and keep them engaged in the activities of the students. NOC currently has 68 students registered for the program – 43 at Parkview and 25 at Marsh Pointe.  The student population ranges from Kindergarten through seventh grade and is predominately African-American.  Registration and informational opportunities are held at the beginning of each session, but students can also join the program at any time.

The teachers come from Beaufort Elementary School (BES) and are prime examples of the excellent partnership that has developed between the NOC and the Beaufort County School District.  The teachers bring professionalism, enthusiasm, and a keen interest in the academic success of the students to the program. Many innovative ideas have been introduced to the classroom, thanks to the creativity of the NOC teaching team. Many of the children enrolled in the program have been or will be in the BES classrooms of the NOC teachers when they return to school in the Fall.  The BCSD also provides support to NOC with the Compass Learning program and consistent reporting on the progress of the students during the summer session.  The Principal of BES, Melissa Holland, and members of her team have visited the two NOC sites on numerous occasions, demonstrating their interest in and support of the program.

The future of NOC in Beaufort is bright as strong relationships are being grown in the community and the value of the program is becoming established.  The partnership between Beaufort Elementary School, Beaufort County School District, and Neighborhood Outreach Connection is building upon earlier successes to establish a thriving and sustainable program.

The Virtual Summer Learning Program runs through the end of July. When the Fall school term commences, the NOC Program Centers in Beaufort will continue to provide after-school programs at Parkview and Marsh Pointe.  John Leadem, the Program Manager for both Beaufort sites, can be contacted at 919-302-4347 or [email protected] for additional information.