Health, Wealth, Wisdom & Fun

It is frustrating to find out that Head Start, the federal early-education program for children from low-income families, is dealing with spending budget reductions 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 indicates that even if with such cuts, the deficit gaps will hardly ever be closed.

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

One of the most studied early education programs since its creation in 1965 Head Start had a target of getting preschool education and some forms of healthcare for three- and four-yearyear-olds while their parents work or go to school, the program has always been a favorite of advocates for the poor and children.

Research reveal that children who complete the Head start program, do better socially as well as academically than children not signed up for the program. In addition, these kids have reduced dropout rates in high school.

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

In much the same, great 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 agencies all through New York City. The services of Children of the City, additionally, has integrated areas in life skills training, financial and career guidance, counseling and mentorship and lastly, educational support.

In September 2010 Rocco Basile was honored by District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, for his determined endeavors in helping the work of Children of the City. He was recognized for his positive example of one that can make a great come around when provided a second chance in life.

Rocco Basile will be honored once more on April 28, 2011 at the 3rd Annual Dinner Gala benefiting Children of the City - but this time around as "Man of the Year."