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Photo by Sue G. Collins
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Cathy Redies, a 17-year continuing education counselor for Milan, advises students on schoolwork and life challenges. She stands while admiring the work of student Amber Rutherford.
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Cathy Redies listens for a living. Sometimes she gives advice and helps cut through red tape, but mostly she listens.
Redies is the counselor for students enrolled in the Milan Continuing Education program and has been advising young adults on everything from dealing with their drug addiction to writing better English term papers since 1991.
She works from her office during night school classes at Milan's program where 125 students ages 16 through 53 are studying to earn a high school diploma.
"Many have been or are in trouble with the law. Some students come to us because they need a credit or two to graduate. Some come because they and/or their parents think their current district is a mess," Redies said.
"Many come from dysfunctional (on many levels) homes. Some just do not fit the nine-to-five routine of a regular day school."
Students come back to night school when they find they are unable to get a job without a high school diploma. Others, says Redies, are living with parents or family members who insist on enrollment in exchange for room and board. Others are finally at a time in their lives where finishing high school is possible.
Milan's program serves students from Milan, Lincoln, Saline, Ann Arbor, Monroe, Belleville, Adrian, Ida and beyond.
"There aren't many adult ed programs left. I know Lincoln and Saline closed theirs. Ann Arbor has Stone School, but they have a waiting list. The only districts around us that have adult ed that I know of is Willow Run and Chelsea," said program coordinator Connie Cox.
Last semester, 140 students enrolled and, as usual, only about 65 percent completed the class work necessary for credit. Some drop out because of moves out of the area, others get busy with new babies or overwhelmed with other challenges.
"Personally, I have seen the teen pregnancy rate increase over the last five years or so," said Redies, who was visited last week by a 15-year-old pregnant by her 14-year-old boyfriend. She encouraged the student to stay in school, since the night school program is open to kids 16 and older.
"Also, a big problem I see now is drug use. The amount and use is staggering to me," Redies said. "There are new drugs out there, and plenty of them."
Redies and Cox try to encourage students by offering support and an environment where everyone is welcome and all opinions count.
"After talking with Cathy, students come out feeling better than they did going in. She's extremely sympathetic and is really easy to talk to -- not at all intimidating," Cox said. "She's heard it all and continues to go out of her way to help students any way she can."
Redies says she checks her moral judgment and personal values at the door before coming to work.
Often, kids are in such a hurry to grow up and think dropping out of high school is the way to quick riches.
"Nobody has ever come into my office saying, 'Boy, am I glad I dropped out of school,'" said Redies, who works two evenings each week in Milan.
Redies also keeps busy with the mounds of paperwork to ensure state funding and is consumed with filing transcripts from various districts while writing letters for parole officers confirming attendance.
She also must keep copies of birth certificates for students who are parents, since they earn one "life experience credit" for each child while enrolled full time. Other life experience credits are earned for completed technical training and home-school classes.
Redies and Cox both admit the success stories keep them going.
"One former student is now a custodian at Saline Middle School and when I see him, he's happy and happy to remind students to 'stay in school!'" Redies said.
Another recent graduate started classes after meeting Redies while he was working a dead-end job at a local restaurant. She gave him her plug for night school and didn't think she'd hear from him again.
"He showed up the first night of night school, turned out to be a great student, enlisted in the Marines but first finished his education. I'm really proud of him," Redies said.
Redies also teaches English at Washtenaw Community College. She has two children, ages 10 and 13 who attend Saline schools.
Staff Writer Sue G. Collins can be reached at 429-7380 or scollins@heritage.com.
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