Neighborhood Outreach Connection

The Neighborhood Outreach Connection (NOC), established in 2008, is a 501(c)(3) community development organization located in Beaufort County, South Carolina. NOCs mission is to fight poverty by improving the quality of life of people living in poverty, thus empowering them to achieve the American Dream. NOCs development mantra is to teach people how to fish by creating opportunities for them to become self-reliant, independent, and have dignity. NOCs bottom-up approach focuses on the development of the individual, the family, and the community by implementing small, low-cost neighborhood projects that can be replicated and are sustainable. NOC listens to the people it serves and involves them in the development and implementation of outreach programs in underserved neighborhoods. Over the past 18 years, NOC has played an important role in bringing resources, services, technology, and other local community service providers into poor neighborhoods in Beaufort County, making a difference in the lives of many people. NOC currently operates six learning centers in Beaufort County South Carolina. NOC works closely with partner agencies that provide services locally to people in need and those who are vulnerable. This collective partnership, has strengthened its core programs (education/enrichment, health and wellness, and workforce/community development programs) over the past 18 years. NOCs partners provide additional skills, knowledge, resources and manpower to support NOCs outreach programs. NOC continues to maintain its strong partnerships with BCSD and local schools, Beaufort County Library, local businesses, Hopeful Horizons, Clemson Extension Programs, Lowcountry Legal, Beaufort Memorial, VIM, Lions Club, DHEC, BC Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Gullah Church Nurses, Beaufort County Alliance for Human Services and Good Neighbor Medical Clinic. NOC also relies on its strong ties to local community organizations and churches. Through NOCs core interventions and working with its partner agencies, NOC's comprehensive approach to community development is evolving as a viable solution in meeting the needs of the poor people in Beaufort County, SC. Education and Enrichment Programs NOC achieved significant results in FY2023-2024 relating to its education and enrichment programs. Through its flagship after school, summer learning, and enrichment programs, NOC has served many high-risk children in Fall, Winter/Spring, and summer sessions at its six learning centers in low-income neighborhoods in Beaufort County, SC. Each Learning Center which is easily accessible, and is equipped with computer technology and internet, and teaching materials, and it provides a safe learning environment for children. The children are provided with healthy snacks when they arrive at the learning center. At the learning center they receive support for completing their homework. They also receive support for building skills in math, and language arts. They participate in enrichment activities to build their social and emotional skills. Parents are directly involved and teachers from public schools and volunteers provide timely learning to high-risk children, mainly Hispanics and African Americans from low-income households in Beaufort County. More than 85% of these children show progress in math and reading. All children in NOC s education and enrichment programs receive full scholarships through their commitment to academic excellence, regular attendance, and personal responsibility to good behavior. NOCs education and enrichment programs are staffed by NOCs staff (a Program Manager and a neighborhood Liaison), teachers from local schools, and adult and student volunteers from the community under the direction and supervision of NOCs Executive Director. In FY2023-2024, NOC achieved the following results: (a) 756 students were served in NOCs education and enrichment programs, an 8% increase over the previous academic year (2023-2024). (b) 88% of students showed progress in math and reading based on state standardized assessments. (c) 81% of students attended at least 85% of the time in NOCs afterschool and enrichment programs. (d) 89% of NOC students gained a sense of responsibility for their actions and respect for others. (e) 91% of parents were involved in their childs/childrens learning and enrichment programs. (f) 34 equivalent school days were added to the 2023-2024 BCSD academic year, providing additional learning and personal development opportunities to participating students. (g) 30 minutes were added each day to expand the academic learning time during the Fall and Winter/Spring semesters and 4 hours were added to the summer program in keeping with demand.

NOC promotes preventive health care. by facilitating periodic screenings in collaboration with Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Volunteers in Medicine, Lions Club, and the Department of Health and Environmental Control. NOCs health screenings, including the above partners relate to hypertension, diabetes, cancer, vison, hearing, drug and alcohol abuse, and dental hygiene. NOCs adult classes relate to health and wellness, health and nutrition, prenatal care, physical exercise, and dental hygiene. (a) 296 individuals screened through community-based health screening (b) 522 screenings for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, HIV, syphilis, vision, and dental hygiene (c) 216 health educational materials were provided by several agencies relating to mental health, drug and alcohol, and health and wellness.