Have you ever told your child, “choose your friends wisely,” or “finish your homework before you go outside?” Sometimes they learn the hard way about making smart choices. Sacrificing sleep to complete a project that could have been done sooner serves as a good example. It is amazing that we can tell our child something time and again, but when they hear the same message from someone else, they are more receptive.

As a member of the Restoration Inc. Board of Directors, we are reaching out to encourage young people to make smart choices. A workshop will be presented from 6-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Strong Tower Ministry (134 Spencer Lane, Ypsilanti, 48198). The workshop is for children, teens, parents and teachers.

“Make Smart Choices” is a program that teaches young people that an education is mandatory. The choices they make today “will determine their tomorrow.” Workshop presenter Travella Burton, BSW, will teach attendees how to make smart choices daily.

One smart choice Burton emphasizes is that youth complete high school. She notes that in 2008 Detroit lead the nation in dropout rates. Her research indicates a reported 58 percent graduation rate among Detroit High School students.

In a report at eschoolnews.com it was reported that the average annual income of a dropout is $24,000, 60 percent below that of high school graduates. In this same article, the New York Times reported that a dropout is “five times more likely to be incarcerated -- with cost of incarceration exceeding the cost of public school education by a factor of two or three.”

According to Burton, Willow Run Community School district had the lowest graduation rate in Washtenaw County, where 46.71 percent of the class of 2009 graduated. The Ypsilanti High School rates were indicated as 59.58 percent graduating in 2009. Burton says it is obvious something must be done to address this issue. Make Smart Choices is a program attempting to make a difference.

Save your seat for the "Making Smart Choices" workshop at restoration.inc@live.com or by calling (734) 483-1110 extension 419. Attendees should arrive by 5:30 for pizza and registration. The workshop will begin promptly at 6.

How satisfied are you with the choices your child makes?

Angela Verges is a writer and strong advocate for higher education. She can be reached at awritersdream41@yahoo.com.