Headlines:
• Successful meeting In Beaufort on Friday, February 27, to launch NOC’s new program center to benefit 100 children, mainly African Americans, in 2 low-income neighborhoods in Beaufort city.
• Anonymous Donor pledges $50,000 in Matching Dollars to mobilize funds in Beaufort (North of the Broad)
• High Praise for NOC from BCSD and BCBOE and Administration that NOC model is relevant and generates results at low unit cost.
• State Sen. Tom Davis supports NOC Model and wants to explore funding sources at State Capital to help launch the Beaufort project.

Friday, February 27, was a great day for NOC. The Beaufort County School District (BCSD), Bill Evans, Chair of the BC Board of Ed (BCBOE), and Dr. Narendra Sharma, Chair, NOC’s Board, hosted a summit on the urgent need to open an NOC Program Center in Beaufort to address the significant achievement gap experienced by minority children in Beaufort County public schools.   More than 40 persons participated in this meeting.

Despite having a bad case of the flu, Bill Evans joined the meeting via Skype. He and Dr. Dereck Rhoads, BCSD, were effusive in their praise of NOC, noting the uniqueness of the model and the successful outcomes of NOC’s education program in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton.

Former School Board Member and Chair Fred Washington recalled his days on the Beaufort County School Board and the work that was done in order to draft and sign a memorandum of understanding between the school district and NOC. He added that ever since that day, he has been telling people in Beaufort, “Don’t worry, NOC will get here.”  Many representatives from the local African American community, local business sector, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and the community at large endorsed NOC, including Fred Leyda of the Alliance for Human Services and Jack Mitchell of AT&T. State Senator Tom Davis said he would investigate sources of funding for NOC at the State House. NOC Board Members Karen Diccianni and George Paletta also attended the meeting and spoke with attendees after the meeting.

After Dr. Sharma made his presentation, he announced that an anonymous donor has come forward to pledge $50,000 in matching funds to jumpstart NOC’s Program Center in Beaufort. He challenged the audience and community to help him raise the needed funds. In the past two days, several thousand dollars have been pledged/donated to support the Beaufort Project.

Dr. Sharma’s presentation – click here: NOC-BCSD Summit, Feb. 27, 2014, Final

 

Dr.  Narendra Sharma, Founder and Chair, of NOC made a presentation to the Rotary Club of Beaufort on February 18.  With over 110 members, this Rotary Club is the largest club in the town of Beaufort.  Mr. Wayne Heath, President-Elect, noted that members wanted to learn about the NOC model and how it is making an impact on minority children and development in low income neighborhoods.  After the presentation, there were many questions about how the NOC education programs are structured and delivered at program centers within neighborhoods.  Several members were interested in learning more about the significant achievement gap that exists in Beaufort County public schools, including schools in Beaufort, North of the Broad.   A few members focused on the impact of NOC’s intervention in helping children academically.  Interest was expressed in bringing technology into the neighborhoods to reduce the digital divide that exists now.  Members were also keen to hear about NOC’s plan to establish a program center in Beaufort.  Ally McNair, Vice Chair of NOC, and John Leadem, NOC’s Coordinator in Beaufort, joined Dr.  Sharma to represent NOC.

NOC and the Beaufort County School District (BCSD) have applied for state grants to help fund tutoring programs North of the Broad, thus expanding NOC’s outreach to families, especially children, living in underserved neighborhoods in northern Beaufort County. In an interview on WSAV Evening News on January 26, 2015, Dr. Narendra Sharma, founder and Chairman of NOC’s Board,  said that NOC and BCSD will need to raise between $90,000 and $100,000 in order to begin a program in the city of Beaufort.  He expressed hope that support from the Beaufort community will be forthcoming to supplement grant funding.

NOC and BCSD have scheduled a summit on February 27 to discuss next steps in the development and execution of this important project, including raising sufficient funds to implement a viable program.

To watch the interview and learn more about this important initiative, go to: http://www.wsav.com/story/27945689/nonprofit-eyes-beaufort-to-expand-tutoring-underprivileged-kids

On January 10, 2015, Dr. Narendra Sharma, founder and Board Chair of NOC, received the John Calamari Humanitarian Award, given by the Italian American Club of HHI (IACHHI). John Calamari lived and worked in Hilton Head for 28 years, where he was involved in programs for youth and individuals with special needs, as well as organizations that benefit the less fortunate.  Each year the award is given to an individual who best personifies John Calamari’s ideals and commitment to community service.

The award was presented by John DeCecco (left), president of the Italian American Club. In addition to the award, NOC has received a check from the IACHHI for $2000 to advance its community programs. NOC extends a special thank you to the Italian American Club.