AUSTIN, Texas – In a 2017 poll by the First Five Years Fund, more than 90 percent of Americans agree that our elected leaders should work together to make quality early childhood education more accessible and affordable to low- and middle-income families. But the simple truth is that making high quality early learning available to every American family actually has the power to solve so many of the challenges facing our country today, from poverty to mass incarceration to health disparities.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019, United Way for Greater Austin will facilitate a conversation around early childhood care and education by hosting a film screening on No Small Matter, the first feature documentary to explore the most overlooked, underestimated, and powerful force for good in America today: early childhood education. The screening will be held at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar at 6:30 p.m. followed by an Early Learning Panel Discussion with key community leaders including Austin City Council Member Delia Garza.
United Way leads the Austin/Travis County’s collective impact efforts to improve access to high-quality early childhood education. As the leader and backbone organization of the Success By 6 initiative, United Way brings together a coalition of school, city and county officials, nonprofits and parents to improve the network of support systems for children. Together they’re ensuring our youngest community members start our life on an even playing field.
Through poignant stories and surprising humor, the film lays out the overwhelming evidence for the importance of the first five years and reveals how our failure to act on that evidence has resulted in an everyday crisis for American families, and a slow-motion catastrophe for the country.
The January 22 film screening is part of a larger nationwide grassroots screening campaign with the goal of affecting local legislation and private sector progress through amplifying the awareness of early childhood care and education.
No Small Matter is unique because it dives deeply into the complicated science, history and sociology that has brought our childcare system to where it is today – but does so without sacrificing entertainment or fun for the viewer. From celebrity cameos to the “Marshmallow test” with Cookie Monster to hilarious moments with the children we meet along the way – all will help No Small Matter move the viewer in ways that a fact sheet simply can’t do.
WHO: United Way for Greater Austin
WHAT: Film screening of No Small Matter
WHEN: January 22, 2019
- 5:30 p.m. – Reception
- 6:30 p.m. – Film Screening
- 8:00 p.m. Early Learning Panel Discussion
WHERE: Alamo Drafthouse South
1120 South Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
More about United Way for Greater Austin: Since 1924, we have been dedicated to providing families and individuals in need with the tools and resources needed to thrive. We drive impact by partnering with and investing in efforts to address the immediate needs of families in poverty while also leading efforts to address long-term community change. Learn more by visiting https://www.unitedwayaustin.org
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Have questions? Email Madyson Russell at madyson.russell@uwatx.org