Paul Tough: Whatever It Takes

In today’s Charlotte Observer, a report on a new initiative to bring some of the principles of the Harlem Children’s Zone to the city:

Leaders of foundations, charities and government agencies that work with education and poverty met to talk about the Harlem Children’s Zone, a long-running quest to transform the lives of kids in one of New York City’s poorest neighborhoods.

They prepared by reading Paul Tough’s “Whatever It Takes,” an account of founder Geoffrey Canada’s vision, which starts with teaching parents better ways to raise their kids and offers support and incentives all through childhood.

“In our office, ‘Whatever It Takes’ started quite a buzz,” said Brett Loftis, executive director of the Council for Children’s Rights.

From the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Herald Sun, an article about an effort to replicate the Harlem Children’s Zone in a neighborhood in Durham:

The East Durham Children’s Initiative will introduce “baby college” for parents as well as focused programming and after-school offerings at Smith Elementary, Neal Middle and Southern High. The Holton Center will provide adult literacy courses overseen by Durham Technical Community College, a planner said.

[County Commissioner Ellen] Reckhow heard a radio segment about the Harlem Children’s zone on a Saturday afternoon last fall. An Internet search led her to New York Times Magazine editor Paul Tough’s book “Whatever It Takes,” a profile of the Children’s zone and its leader, Geoffrey Canada. Reckhow bought copies as holiday presents for her fellow county commissioners and the county manager.

Work on the project began in January.