Tomorrow's Hope

Educare's innovation in early childhood education is inspiring, but the film tries to tell too much in less than an hour -- and then ultimately doesn't tell enough. The documentary clearly shows the significant challenges involved with opening and operating an educational daycare facility in the United States' largest public housing project. Interviewees discuss the intensity of running a preschool in an area known for its frequent violence -- and the impressive fact that they managed to maintain their programs after the City of Chicago demolished the project's housing structures and scattered residents throughout the city. It's thanks to strong will, passion, and perseverance that the founders and administrators at Ounce of Prevention pushed through. They are unquestionably role models.

Knowing that the first five years of a child's life are crucial, Ounce's child development professionals believed they had a chance to change a child's future by involving their parents/caregivers in their education. They also offered kids tools to understand their feelings, express themselves, and learn how to get along better. And, through the stories of three of the program's success stories -- teens who started in the program's first year and are now graduating high school with big hopes and dreams -- it's evident they succeeded, thanks to a combination of that foundation and adult support. That said, Educare's proprietary methods are somewhat glossed over as concepts instead of specific guidance, so it can be a little unclear what "whole family learning" and "socio-emotional tools" mean, exactly, if you're not already familiar with this space. It's wonderful to see that this program, now expanded into 25 locations, is helping children who need it, but there's not much to take away on how to apply it outside of their system.