My first thought is Willie Wonka and the chocolate factory. Too often we are looking for the silver bullet, the winning lottery number, a stroke of luck, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow – you get the idea. I attended a tour and overview of the Booth home last week. Young women faced with a difficult situation, having a child while still in high school. Without the support of the team at the Salvation Army, the Boise School District, and the many donors–many of the girls would drop out of school and be unprepared to continue their education or raise their child. During our discussion we learned that nearly 95% of the students who go to the Booth Home earn their high school degree. A very high percentage go on to post secondary education. The math is compelling -a high school degree means over $10,000 more per year in earned income than no degree. Add one, two, or four year degrees and the financial impacts are more compelling. Our tour guide and Development Director of the local Salvation Army, Hillary Betz, made the statement, education is “the golden ticket”.
The Booth Family Care Center and Marion Pritchett School started in Boise in 1921. The Home was named after the founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth. The Boise home has helped over 10,000 young women since it’s inception. The program has changed with the times – the skills taught changing from cooking and sewing to a focus on finishing high school. The school district started providing a teacher to teach high school classes at the home and now all educators are certified and work through the auspicious Frank Church High School. In recent years young men have been included in the support system to assure parenting skills and the high school degree. You will hear more about the Capital campaign to build a modern facility for Booth and the Salvation Army – the generous support of many will allow a helping hand to those in need for another 130 years in the Treasure Valley.
“Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best” Bob Telbert. “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all”—Aristotle. Dorothy Day advises “The best thing to do with the best things in life is to give them away,”.
I am encouraged by our community and the recognition that education is the key to our future.
Sincere thanks to the many friends who sent their condolences for the loss of my brother Bob. At the same time many congratulations on my newest granddaughter – Margie is a week old and doing well.
Enjoy the week end and Happy Mother’s Day. Mike