C.O.O.O.L: Reaching out to Adolescent Girls

COOOL (Changing Our Outlook On Life) is a mentoring program designed to address the needs of female youthful offenders by providing a role model and mentor, both during incarceration and upon re-entry. In February 2009, in conjunction with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, Changed Choices successfully established this mentoring program for all female youthful offenders in the jail. Each mentee meets weekly with an assigned mentor for the duration of her incarceration. In addition, each mentee will have the opportunity to participate in one group counseling session led by a counselor. The COOOL Program is passionate about the education and guidance of young women to develop a healthy relationship with themselves, others, or substances.

Our future vision for the COOOL Program is to move beyond the jail walls by providing a post-release group designed to further walk alongside the young women, providing encouragement, guidance and support, as they continue to grow and develop, preparing them for new chapter of their lives.