As a father, Rocco Basile knows how tough it can be to be a Dad, and how instrumental a father is in shaping a child’s life. That's why Basile and the charity he works closely with, Children of the City, are proud of Angel Lopez, a 24 year old former gang member,
Angel’s dad was incarcerated when he was a boy, and his Mom had drug problems. Several well meaning relatives tried to help, but the lack of a male authority figure led Angel to search for role models among the gang leaders that he thought were so cool.
Then one day about four years ago a Children of the City youth outreach counselor started visiting with Angel’s nephew, in order to listen to what Angel was saying. Soon, Angel started making appointments to talk with the counselor himself because he wanted to be a good father to his son and daughter. He married the mother of his children and endured the hardships that were required to quit the gang. He credits Children of the City with helping him with his education, a job, and learning how to be a better parent.
What would Angel's life been like if he had found Children of the City when he was a child? Committed to volunteering at Children of the City, Angel said, “I reach out to the kids. I try to give as much of myself as I can ... I tell them the truth about the streets. I warn them about jail, the diseases, and everything else that is out there when you switch to the fast lane. I let them know that I had a choice, and they have choices."
