Dear Friends:
I hope you, your family, and your friends enjoyed a happy 4th of July.
July 4th 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)
