History
In his role as police chaplain in Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, N.C., Rev. Daren McGrew realized the need that women in the judicial system have for ongoing spiritual advice and support. In 1999, he asked Ruth Snyder to visit two young women whom he had met while riding with a police officer. After months of visits, the need for this ongoing support of women who were broken, afraid, very much alone and needing hope became very clear to Ruth.
As a chaplain intern at the Mecklenburg County Jail, Ruth found the needs specific to incarcerated women to be unique. She and others taught, mentored and encouraged many women on a spiritual and emotional level.
Many women had issues from their past that were holding them hostage to a life that they themselves did not want. Changed Choices, as it was now called, developed a more structured and consistent approach. Within a year, Changed Choices had developed a philosophy and approach which proved successful in assisting female inmates. It operated under the umbrella of Grace Covenant Church and its pastor, Rev. Daren McGrew.
Over the ensuing years, the scope of services provided by Changed Choices broadened considerably. Some of the women who were sentenced to federal and state prisons continued to desire the mentoring, encouragement and support they had received in the county jail. That resulted in a pen pal program, an optional correspondence Bible Study, a book club, regular correspondence from Changed Choices staff and provision of some physical needs. It became evident that the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of the “clients” needed to be addressed in a comprehensive but client-oriented manner.
The time came when the women with whom Changed Choices was working would be released and a new dimension of the organization began. The “clients” needed support and encouragement in making healthy adjustments to life on the "outside". Changed Choices' role expanded to assist in this transition period by providing the tools the women needed for success.
With the filing of the articles of incorporation on January 21, 2005, Changed Choices moved towards a new and exciting future. Changed Choices Inc. soon became an independent and incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, directed by a strong Board of Directors.
The unique approach that allows Changed Choices to follow its clients through the judicial system from the beginning of incarceration through years of reentry has proven to be very effective. That program, the core program of Changed Choices, became known as CARE (Comprehensive Approach to Reentry Effectiveness). A mentoring program for the female youthful offenders at the Mecklenburg County Jail began in 2009. COOOL (Changing Our Outlook On Life), further met the mission of Changed Choices to provide services for women in Mecklenburg County. In 2010, a residence program (HOME: Home of Meaningful Encouragement) was established for clients returning from prison to better allow them an opportunity to adjust to their “new lives beyond prison walls”. Parenting classes for the women at the jail were contracted to Changed Choices in 2011. Additional staff was added while volunteers continued to do a tremendous amount of the work.
The tremendous need for employment for the clients led to a new initiative in 2011. Second Helping is a client-operated business that will create living wage jobs for our women through an innovative food service business.
The addition of other programs and partnerships in the community has made Changed Choices a leader in dealing with female inmates and a model for other organizations. Today, the very low recidivism rate continues to speak clearly to the effectiveness of the program.
