Fundraising in Economically Challenging Times

Industry experts say that shock ads are becomming worse than ever. Are they working when it comes to shocking people into contributing to the latest charity cause? Possibly...

But rather than shock ads for charities focused on drinking and driving or drugs, why not focus on charities with a more positive outcome? Like children's education, students and parents in need?

I work with several charities include Children of the City in Brooklyn, and the Joe Dimmagio committee, and my educational website (http://www.roccobasile.net/) details the latest trends in these charities.

We are making such amazing strides in these organizations, and all that is needed at this point is recogition. Once people heard that Gweneth Paltrow was part of our "Champions of Hope" annual fundraiser this last year, the doors open.

If you are interested in learning more so you can help us, go to my website at http://www.roccobasile.net/

Private Lender Involvement for Students Loans to End

A hat tip to Wall Street Journal writers Corey Boles and Robert Tomsho for their news coverage on my favorite topic: education in the United States. As you know, my website http://www.roccobasile.net/ covers education and charity.

So just out of Washington today, the House of Representatives approved legislation that would end private-lender involvement in the student-loan market. This establishes the federal government as the sole provider of college loans, and means there will be much change within the federal government's higher-education policies.

What this basically means is that all lenders would be cut out of the market for originating loans, although there would still be a role for private banks and lenders to bid for a limited number of contracts to service the loans after they are made by the government.

What is known as the Federal Family Education Loan Program - this is when the government guarantees loans made by private lenders - remains the single largest source of college loans. Loan volume totalled $74 billion, up 13% from a year earlier.

Obama's administration has said they will use the anticipated savings from this measure to increase grants for low-income students, and also boost funding for minority student groups. This would mean they culd also provide money for school construction. All in all this could save taxpayers $87 billion over the next ten years.

The Founder and Executive Director of Children of the City presided over the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 4PM. Vice President of NASDAQ OMX, David Wicks welcomed Joyce Mattera to the NASDAQ MarketSite in Manhattan, NY.

Wicks said, "Joyce, I’d like to congratulate you and the entire Children of the City organization on the steps you’ve taken to indeed make a difference. You’re leading an organization that has succeeded in impacting the lives of so many young people, by offering opportunities for achievement and success – opportunities that they would not otherwise have had the chance to experience. We hope that today’s market close brings further awareness to these efforts."
Through the ups-and-downs of the stock market, the mission of Children of the City remains the same: investing in the futures of children."

Additional pictures and a video of the event at the NASDAQ site is available by clicking here. The best part is that although there are always ups-and-downs of the stock market, the mission of Children of the City remains the same: investing in the futures of children. I am so proud of Children of theCity. -- Rocco Basile

Gwyneth Paltrow at Champions of Hope Benefit

I am very excited that next Wednesday July 29, 2009 Children of the City will be celebrating vaving successfully served the children and families of Southwest Brooklyn for more than two decades. As you know I cover the issues surrounding education and my charity work in my own website called http://www.roccobasile.net/. The goal of Children of the City has always been and still is to meet the needs of the community.

It is with sincere pleasure and pride that I announce that this year's July 29th fundraiser will be host to guest of honor Actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Master of ceremonies is Bill Evans of WABC Eyewitness News and always a supporter, New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree.

Sponsorship opportunities to support the charity are avaialble here.

Wednesday July 29, 2009Cocktails 6:30pm Reception 7:30pm*Open Bar*
Tribeca Rooftop 2 Desbrosses Street, New York For more informaiton call: 718-436-0242 X20

Initially our success was measured by families overcoming poverty through our organization. This includes a first generation of patrons who are now businesspeople and homeowners in our community, raising families.

It is astounding that most of them came back and continue to volunteer with Children of the City. Economic instability continues to subject many families to drug abuse and delinquency.

Even during these economically difficult times, we have increased the number of programs as well as the volunteers and mentors who have so graciously supported the families who participate in all of our programs, and we will continue to try to work towards success.

Watch our charity's introduction video here to learn more about Children of the City.

--Rocco Basile

The Latest in Education News

Funds Cut for Public School Reform

In a Washington Post article today, staff writer Bill Turque said that Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has eliminated funding for an independent evaluator assigned to assess the progress of public school reform under Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee. This was according to the revised 2010 budget he submitted to the D.C. Council late Friday.

These proposed moves reflect the council's discontent with what members see as a lack of transparency and accountability in the mayor's efforts to transform the District's struggling public school system.

Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) and the council are free to restore the funding cut when they vote on the revised budget July 31. But speaking to the council Monday at a hearing on Fenty's plan to close a two-year, $666 million revenue shortfall, city administrator Neil Albert urged that the governance structure established in 2007 remain intact.

Abu Dhabi Opens New York University

In a move where Abu Shabi is looking to bolster its educational credentials, Dhabi is planning to open New York University's newest campus next fall alongside cultural landmarks such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and a new Guggenheim on Saadiyat island.

NYU Abu Dhabi is one of several ambitious projects that the emirate has funded as part of its 2030 Initiative. This is a multibillion dollar plan. Abu Dhabi has been propelling its profile more than its neighboring emirate Dubai, a littery symbol of oil-funded development.
Qatar currently leads the Gulf States in educational ventures. A development outside Doha dubbed Education City is home to several American universities including elite private universities such as Georgetown and public universities such as Texas A&M.

Wichita State University Upgrades from VCR to Milestone IP Video Surveillance

Milestone appears to be flexible and scalable for campus expansions, and very easy to manage.
Milestone is still so easy to use, even with upgrades: put up a new server, install the software, load the DLK, and it is done. -- Rocco Basile

The Obamas on Education for our Youth

First Lady Michelle Obama debuted as a public policy advocacy by visiting the Department of Education in the company of Education Secretary Arne Duncan. As I have mentioned before I follow the latest trends in eduication on my blog roccobasile.net.

Stressing the need for more education spending, she said, "Imagine what we can do with millions of dollars more investment in this area. We can expand opportunities in low-income districts for all students, particularly for students with disabilities."

Both Barack and Michelle Obama promoted the importance of a good education at a January 19 rally held by the Education Equality Project at Cardoza High School in Washington, DC.

UNCF President Michael Lomax was there to explain why our educational system is in a state of crisis.

In summary, they discussed how diverse leaders are coming together over the U.S. public education system, which is in crisis. Most speakers consider this crisis to be the predominant civil rights issue of our generation. Parent, grandparents, educators, families, neighbors, and friends were encouraged to tutor, and join the PTA, so that their voices could be heard.

The Education Equality Project states on its website, “Barely half of African-American and Latino students graduate from high school, with African American students graduating at 55 percent, Latinos at 53 percent, and their white counterparts at 78 percent.”

The Mother Teresa of Sunset Park is Honored

On March 25 Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes honored Children of the City's Joyce Mattera at his third annual Extraordinary Women’s event. In honor of Women’s History Month, Joyce Mattera was recognized for her accomplishments and contribution to the Sunset Park community. As you know, I am on the Board of this fine organization, and my website is devoted to the betterment of children's education.

District Attorney Hynes unveiled a huge calendar, in the lobby of 350 Jay Street, for the month of March with each day dedicated to one of the extraordinary women who were nominated by Brooklyn residents. Hynes bestowed the title of Special Ambassador to Joyce Mattera, formally acknowledged at a ceremony on March 25 in the Ceremonial Court Room at Brooklyn Borough Hall, along with other women.

Children of the City's Executive Director and Founder Joyce Mattera, is lovingly referred to by many as the "Mother Teresa of Sunset Park." She has devoted herself to helping others through service to children and the families of Sunset Park, Brooklyn since 1981. --Rocco Basile

Support for Children of the City's Children

Back in December, on the the 20th, the charity that I so fondly support - Children of the City - facilitated a very special Christmas for one unfortunate little girl and her family.600 children and 100 adults were invited to the headquarters of Children of the City located where hundreds of toys and gifts were distributed. There were dozens of volunteers during the entire week of December 15-19 who helped wrap gifts that were donated as well as funds.

Joyce Mattera, Founder and Executive Director said, "Children of the City was glad to facilitate receiving the donations because our partners knew we could get it into the hands of the neediest children.”

Earlier that same week, a young girl named Angela was undergoing some difficult times. Through the Winter Wishes Project facilitated by New York Cares and Morgan Stanley, Angela had not gotten her wish list in on time to receive any gifts.

“When we read her letter we all were moved" Mattera said. Angel's father had recently passed away and her mother said they couldn't afford Christmas this year.

Children of the City was able to confirm the details of their situation, then asked its partner Morgan Stanley to help us facilitate fulfilling this little girl's Christmas wish. One of their employees, George A., generously purchased clothes, other items, and assembled a brand-new bicycle for her just two days before the event. Angela exclaimed, through her tears, that this was the "best Christmas ever!"

Christmas toys and gifts were donated by several partners of Children of the City, including my family's business, Basile Builders, St. John's Bread and Life, Brianna's Hair Salon, NYCRC, Hamption Christian School in Virginia, Payless Shoe Source, New York Cares/Morgan Stanley, and many others.

"We know these are tough economic times and we are glad for the opportunity to show that we care about the children and families in the community we serve" said Mattera. "We are glad that Angela was able to enjoy Christmas this year."-- -- Rocco Basile

The New Obama Administration and Education

Prior to his election to President of the United States, Barack Obama said he will reform the No Child Left Behind, invest in early childhood education: implement a comprehensive "Zero to Five" plan to provide support to young children and their parents, and help states move toward voluntary, universal pre-school.

Obama and Biden also said they will create a new American Opportunity Tax Credit worth $4,000 in exchange for community service, covering two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university. They also said they would make community college tuition completely free for most students.

As many of you know, my website http://www.roccobasile.net/, shares news and the statistics on the state of education in the country - so any new improvements to our ailing education system is music to my ears.

At his inaugural speech at the U.S. Capitol President Obama mentioned that, "our schools fail too many." Now that they are settled into their new posts, President Barack Obama and the new Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have set a tone of bipartisan cooperation on challenges that are facing our country's schools.

Despite the prospect of cutbacks in school budgets nationwide, the education community in Washington is optimistic about the future according to Jack Jennings, the president of the Center for Education Policy, an advocacy organization.

President Obama believes that giving money to education will stimulate the economy but his opponents believe that he is trying to increase long term funding to schools. He has proposed doubling federal funding for charter schools, who can apply for up to $600,000 in start up money from the federal government.

As a Board member for programs like the Joe DiMaggio Awards Committee at Xaverian High School, (my alma mater), we have long known how financial assistance helps the quality of education that the school can provides its students. Xaverian offers the very best in secondary education by serving young men from disadvantaged backgrounds, including learning disabilities and students in financial need. In fact, if it were not for the generosity of alumni, parents and friends, many of these students would not be able to afford the quality, college-preparatory education our school offers.

In fact, the Joe DiMaggio Award Gala is the major fundraiser for Xaverian, and since the inception of the program in 1994 more than 100 young men have graduated from this special initiative and all have gone on to four-year colleges. Every year the DiMaggio Award outdoes the previous in money raised and national media attention.

-- Rocco Basile

New Education Secretary Arne Duncan Announced

President Elect Barack Obama just named his Education Secretary -- longtime friend and fellow Harvard alum Arne Duncan, who headed the Chicago public school system. He has a reputation as an educational reformer, and will be very strong for our country as part of the strengthening of student math and reading skills as an educational trend in the New Year, a topic I cover on my website http://www.roccobasile.net/.

Duncan was responsible for closing then reopening and improving a once failing school known as the Dodge Renaissance Academy on the West side of Chicago. Now 79.4 percent of their students meet or exceed state goals; in reading, 69.7 percent of the students meet or exceed the goals.

Focus to attention is what most students need to improve their skills in reading and math. We know this from the work being done at Childrenofthecity.org, in Brooklyn, New York. This charity recently rallied together over 100 volunteers to distribute free Thanksgiving meals to needy families at their facility on Sunday November 23, 2008, feeding over 700 adults and children. 119 families in all came to Children of the City and received a Thanksgiving meal which included a 25-lb box of food to feed a family of 6 and either a ham or turkey.


“One in five people standing in line at a soup kitchen this Thanksgiving was a child. 1 in 4 children right here in New York City live in poverty” said the organization's Joyce Mattera, Executive Director and Founder.

--Rocco Basile