Who We Are
CHOICES Education Group is a non-profit organization headquartered in Seattle, WA. We have developed a unique, interactive workshop for eighth and ninth grade students called CHOICES, which helps them understand the power of making positive decisions, such as focusing their attention on school and using life skills to help them realize a better future. Our mission is to empower teens to make positive educational choices that will increase their career and life opportunities.
Our CHOICES workshops are delivered across the country by trained volunteers in their local communities who share with students their real-world life experiences and insights while delivering our teacher-approved curriculum.
CHOICES Education Group is led by Executive Director Leo Muller and a diverse Board of Directors representing local and national businesses, education and the broader community.
Statement Regarding Racism
CHOICES Education Group stands against racism and all the ways it manifests itself against the betterment of humanity. Promoting respect, celebrating diversity, demanding ethical leadership, and working tirelessly to advance peace are central beliefs of our work.
We will do our part to listen and understand the pain African Americans and other people of color experience, to learn about privilege and systemic racism, and to take action individually, collectively and institutionally to bring about change. We need to be a part of that, in our organization, in our communities, and in our country. We stand in solidarity against injustice, institutionalized racism, discrimination, and violence of any kind against anyone. Read more.
History
In 1983, Gary Frizzell of Seattle was trying to convince his teenage son to stay in school during some difficult times. When confrontation didn’t work, Gary decided to write his son letters explaining the real-world impact of decisions, how choices could have long-term consequences, and how how negative decisions could derail his son’s life. It worked, and his son started to make more positive decisions for his own future. That’s when Gary realized that this same approach might resonate with other teens as well, and the CHOICES workshop was born.
CHOICES Education Group was formed in 1985 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity with the mission of empowering teens to make positive educational choices that will increase their career and life opportunities. We have many years of expertise in program development, service delivery and partnership sustainability. Our financial support comes from individual donations, corporate grants and licensing of the workshop to delivery partner organizations in communities nationwide, including chambers of commerce, services clubs, businesses, other non-profit organizations, etc.
On August 1, 2020 CHOICES Education Group became a part of Seattle-based financial advisory firm Brighton Jones. We have retained our 501(c)(3) non-profit status, however, so that we can continue to engage our other local and national partners to bring the CHOICES message to as many teens as possible across the U.S. We invite you to become a partner with us!