It is discouraging to find out that Head Start, the federal early-education program for children from low-income households, is facing spending budget cuts while Congress trims spending to reduce the nation's deficit in order to cater to President Obama's 2011 budget request of $8.2 billion. The New York Times indicates that even if with such slashes, the deficit gaps will hardly ever be closed.
The fact that Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, is receiving an award for her long-time assistance for Head Start makes matters more gloomy. In addition, Rocco Basile, chairman of the board of Brooklyn-based charity called Children of the City, will also get an award soon for his charity causes.
Since its beginning in 1965, Head Start had the intention of giving 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 became a favorite for promoters of children and the poor.
Research reveal that children who complete the Head start program, fare better socially and academically than children not enrolled in the program. The kids also tend to have reduced high school dropout rates.
However, 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 key reason why spending budget cuts were experienced by the program.
In the same manner, Children of the City has proven terrific results serving the underprivileged children in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Other organizations in all of New York City utilized the effective after school program model of the said charitable cause. The services of Children of the City, additionally, has involved areas in life skills training, financial and career guidance, counseling and mentorship and of course, educational support.
In September 2010 Rocco Basile was honored by District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, for his tireless efforts in supporting the work of Children of the City. He has shown what a person can do when given a second chance in life - second chances are uncommon in this lifetime.
And on April 28, 2011, at the 3rd Annual Dinner Gala benefiting the Children of the City, Rocco Basile
will once more be honored; however this time around, his accolade will already be the much coveted "Man of the Year."
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