Rocco Basile

Rocco Basile

by

Vangie Flores

It is demoralizing to be told that Head Start, the federal early-education program for children from low-income households, is facing budget slashes while Congress trims spending to reduce the nation\’s deficit in order to accommodate President Obama\’s 2011 budget request of $8.2 billion. The New York Times implies that even if with such cutbacks, the deficit gaps will hardly ever be closed.

And this is happening even as individuals like Senator Lisa Murkowski, who is a Republican from Alaska, is receiving an award for her long assistance for the Head Start. And people just like Rocco Basile, chairman of the board of Brooklyn, New York-based charity known as Children of the City, is also soon to get a recognition for supporting the educational needs and combating the social challenges of underprivileged children in Brooklyn communities.

Since its creation in 1965, Head Start had the intention of providing preschool education and some forms of health care for children 3-4 years of age while their parents work or go to school; it\’s because of this that Head Start grew to become a favorite for supporters of children and the poor.

As shown by research, children enrolled in the program did better socially and also academically compared to their counterparts who didn\’t complete the Head Start program. The kids also generally have reduced high school dropout rates.

On the other hand, it was found out that when the students hit the first grade, the initial test score benefits tend to fade out, this is by far the major reason why budget reductions were experienced by the program.

In much the same, fantastic results serving the underprivileged children in Sunset Park, Brooklyn were found for the Children of the City. The organization\’s effective After School program model has been utilized by other organizations all through New York City. The services of Children of the City, additionally, has involved areas in life skills training, financial and career guidance, counseling and mentorship not to mention, educational support.

The District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, in September 2010, honored Rocco Basile for his unending service for the Children of the City\’s charitable endeavors. He has exemplified what a person can do when provided with a second chance in life – second chances are rare in this lifetime.

And on April 28, 2011, at the 3rd Annual Dinner Gala benefiting the Children of the City, Rocco Basile

will once again be honored; but this time around, his accolade will already be the much coveted \”Man of the Year.\”

Rocco Basile on the Importance of Education in our Youth

My philosophy of education is simple: I believe that lack of education is the root of most of the troubles in this country. Educating our youth will help reduce crime, poverty and violence.

The U.S. public school system guarantees all school-aged children, even those with learning disabilities, a free and appropriate public education. Education is primarily a State and local responsibility in the United States. It is States and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for enrollment and graduation.

Unfortunately, due to economic funding, lack of resources and teacher quality issues in our country, many children today do not receive an adequate education.

To that end I have committed myself to helping where I can. For the last decade, I\’ve been on the Board of the Joe DiMaggio Committee, the fund raising arm of my alma mater, Xavierian High School in New York City which raises money to help financially challenged families give their children a good education. I also serve as Chairman of the Board for Children of the City, a grassroots non-profit that that has served the children and families of Southwest Brooklyn for more than two decades, and has been successful in breaking the cycles of poverty. The organization uses home visits to connect individual children and families with the programs and resources to empower them with the skills to overcome poverty. Children of the City strives to change the culture of poverty.

Outreach, counseling, and support instigate positive changes among students:

100% students tested increased in *DRA by 1 level over 8 weeks.

20% increased by one grade level.

97% said they were more comfortable and confidence in math.

50% felt the program deterred them from drug use and gang activity.

81% said they had set new life goals.

*Developmental Reading Assessment

Life is a learning experience. If we pay attention, we can each learn something beneficial every day. By participating and helping to guarantee better education, I believe we can create a new culture of prosperity. You too can make a difference.

For more info:

http://www.roccobasileinfo.com

Rocco Basile

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