It was a special day for the children at NOC’s Cordillo Learning Center. The children were excited and happy as they enjoyed pizza and gifts from Island Lutheran Church. The dedicated volunteers from Island Lutheran Church were led by Pastor Kevin Duff. The Comfort Dog Zoara’s presence was extra special for the children who have become fond of him. Several mothers also participated in the celebration. NOC’s field mangers, Carla and Nhur, did an outstanding job in making this event highly successful and exciting for the children.

The First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, SC, in downtown Beaufort, is building a strong partnership with NOC to support children in NOC’s Learning Centers at Marsh Pointe and Waters at Ribaut (formerly Parkview) in downtown Beaufort. These children participate in NOC’s after school and summer learning programs. On November 14, 2021, the Marsh Pointe field team was invited to speak at the First Presbyterian Church in their “Minute for Mission Project” on Sunday.

First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort has graciously adopted NOC’s students through their Angel Tree Program to kick off their Holiday Giving Event, proving once again that when we work together, we can make a difference in the lives of children.

NOC Learning Center Managers gathered to discuss creative and innovative ways to help children and families from underserved neighborhoods in Beaufort County.

2020 was a difficult year, especially for children who had little support at home when schools closed down in March 2020 due to the spread of COVID. Many of these children did not fully participate in virtual learning and have fallen behind in math, reading, and language arts. Over the past four months these children have worked hard to regain some of what they lost academically, but they need more help.

NOC is committed to intensifying its efforts through its after school learning program to help children excel in school. NOC will also work with families and partner agencies to implement adult classes and community events beginning in 2022.

We are optimistic about a productive 2022.

Working with its partners – Beaufort Memorial Hospital and DHEC – NOC sponsored a Corona-19 vaccination clinic on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. In this successful Vaccination Project, 66 individuals, including adults and children over 12 years old, received Pfizer or J&J vaccines over a two-hour period. These individuals recognized that by receiving the vaccine, they are protecting themselves, their families, neighbors, and community. Each participant received a $25 gift card to celebrate the day.

NOC’s project began with visits to working families in non-gated neighborhoods on HHI, stressing the importance of vaccination. NOC believes that at least 80% of the population in HHI should be vaccinated to safeguard the health of the larger community and to protect the local economy from slow-down or stagnation.

NOC THANKS ITS PARTNERS, FRIENDS, VOLUNTEERS, STAFF, AND BOARD MEMBERS WHO SUPPORTED THIS  OUTREACH EFFORT.