Adverse Childhood Experience (ACES) is arguably the greatest single health crisis facing America today, and yet this topic is largely unknown to the public and policy makers alike. Born With a Chance delivers a frontline view of the effects of ACES, and how it relates to mental and physical illness, drug addiction, poverty and homelessness, and how it may impact you and your community. Through in-depth interviews with mental health professionals and cognitive psychologists, we learn what Adverse Childhood Experiences are, the causes, and how early childhood trauma and toxic stress can affect brain development and health across a lifetime. Through the lens of street-dependent youth and the social workers who serve them, we witness the real-world effects of ACES and the daily struggles and barriers street-dependent youth face every day.

This film series also examines the societal and economic costs of ACES along with evidence-based solutions to help homeless people transition to productive and meaningful lives.

Thank you for your support.

David Cummins

Homeless Youth Advocate, Filmmaker