VOCEL Information

Because investments in young children’s early brain development yield the greatest returns for our communities, VOCEL operates innovative child-focused programs that are accessible to families facing adversity and the educators who support them. Founded in 2013, VOCEL jumpstarts young children’s brain growth with strengths-based parent support and parent-child early learning rooted in language development and emotional support to ensure all children are prepared for success in school and life. VOCEL believes parents/caregivers are their children’s first, and most important teachers. But we also know that raising young children is challenging and requires support from an invested community. In September 2016, VOCEL launched the VOCEL Child Parent Academy (VCPA), a 10-month early learning accelerator for both children and their parents. In September 2020, VOCEL expanded its vision to partner with and support the school leaders responsible for their school’s youngest learners with the Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL) program. In October 2021, VOCEL launched the Early Educators for Thriving Children (EETC) Fellowship to empower Chicago Public Schools teachers with critical resources, coaching, and a supportive peer community to grow with. This program expansion encompasses a three-year strategic growth plan to grow the organization’s impact into new zip codes and to reach over 2,500 children by 2024.