History

In 1999, while "riding" with his officers who were transporting two young women to the Mecklenburg County Jail, police chaplain, Rev. Daren McGrew, recognized the need these women had for ongoing spiritual advice and support.  He contacted Ruth Snyder.  Seeing these two women every week for a year and having them ask her to see other women caused Ruth to realize the importance of such visits.  She spoke with the senior chaplain about becoming even more involved.

After beginning work as a chaplain intern, Ruth found the needs specific to incarcerated women to be unique.  In regular visits to the jail, she and others taught, mentored and encouraged many women on a spiritual and emotional level.  To those who were interested, they spoke about the "freedom" one has as a believer in Jesus Christ.  They encouraged others in their individual faiths, all the while demonstrating Christ's love to all with whom they had contact.

Many women had issues from their past that were holding them hostage to a life that they themselves did not want.  Changed Choices developed a more structured and consistent approach which allowed more volunteers to be trained and new programs to be initiated.  One volunteer began a budgeting class in the county jail.  Changed Choices provided workbooks which focused on the specific problems faced by female inmates.  An increasing number of women and men became involved, not only in working with the inmates, but also in donating financial resources, books, magazines and clothing.  

Within a year, Changed Choices had developed a philosophy and approach which proved successful in assisting female jail 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 has 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.  As a result, volunteers correspond regularly with inmates in over a dozen prisons.  Many of the women even receive occasional personal visits from Ruth!  Women of different nationalities and religions have sought help, and we have been challenged to find the most effective way to assist these inmates.  While local churches have remained actively involved, donations have come from new sources, many of them outside of Charlotte .

We have felt obliged to provide for some of the practical, physical, spiritual and mental health needs of the inmates.  Interacting with the children of some of the incarcerated women has been demanding.  We send books and clothes to some of our women in state and federal prisons.  We have established a pen pal program which allows interested members of the community to become involved with an inmate.  Women with whom we have been involved for years are now completing their obligation to the criminal justice system and are being released from prison.  They require assistance in making a healthy adjustment to life on the "outside".  Changed Choices' role has expanded to assist in this transition period and has become a major focus in terms of time and money.

With the filing of the articles of incorporation on January 21, 2005, Changed Choices moved towards a new and exciting future.  With the assistance of an expert volunteer, Changed Choices Inc. became an independent and incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, directed by a strong Board of Directors.  Our mission has expanded as have the demands and needs of this vital organization.  It is unique in that it follows the inmate through from the beginning of incarceration to years after they are released.  That transition is a most difficult one!  The recidivism rate is very low - speaking loudly to the effectiveness of the program today.

updated March 16, 2009