VOCEL

VOCEL, which stands for Viewing Our Children as Emerging Leaders, is a Chicago-based non-profit organization focused on early childhood education. The organization was co-founded in 2012 by educators Jesse Ilhardt and Kelly Powers, who aimed to reimagine early learning by emphasizing human connection and language. Ilhardt, who serves as the Executive Director, drew from her 15 years of experience in teaching preschool and developing educator programs, along with her degrees in journalism and early childhood development, to shape the organization's vision. Powers, who served as Executive Director until 2025, transitioned to the role of Chief Operating Officer at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning.

The organization operates on a non-profit basis, supported by a network of individuals, foundations, and corporate partners who invest in its programs. This funding model allows VOCEL to provide its services to under-resourced communities. VOCEL's business is centered on creating and delivering research-informed, community-driven early learning programs for children, parents, and educators. Its primary clients are families with young children (ages 0-5), as well as educators and school leaders in Chicago.

VOCEL's key offering is the Child Parent Academy (VCPA), a two-generation early learning accelerator that engages both children and their caregivers. This 10-month program convenes weekly, providing side-by-side learning experiences that build a foundation for learning through play and interaction. Another initiative is the "Powered by VOCEL" program, which trains parent leaders from disadvantaged neighborhoods to lead weekly classes for their peers, extending the reach of the VCPA model. For educators, VOCEL offers the Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL) initiative, a principal-coaching program, and the Early Educators for Thriving Children Fellowship (EETC), which provides training and support for preschool and kindergarten teachers. A significant milestone was the launch of the VOCEL Early Learning Center in 2014, a preschool that demonstrated strong results, with 94 percent of children meeting or exceeding developmental milestones after 10 months. In 2018, the organization shifted its focus to expand the VCPA, which bridges an access gap for families in communities with limited early learning options.

Keywords: early childhood education, non-profit, Chicago, parent coaching, teacher training, child development, community programs, two-generation learning, school readiness, educational equity, play-based learning, parent leadership, professional development for educators, early learning accelerator, family engagement, social-emotional learning, language acquisition, at-risk youth services, education reform, community outreach