Building new lives

beyond prison walls.

We work tirelessly for our clients, but we expect the following in response:

Honesty In all areas and at all times it is important that the client be completely honest with anyone involved with her Changed Choices care team.

Acceptance of ResponsibilityIt is important that our clients accept responsibility for their own past bad choices, as well as take ownership for the future good choices that will enable them to become who they were intended to be. The client's future life is her responsibility. We are here to help our clients reach their goals in a responsible manner.

AccountabilityThe client is expected to be accountable and faithful to fulfill the tasks she has been given by our staff.

TeachabilityClient must be willing to listen, discuss and accept advice.

IntegrityClients should always do what is right - simply because it is the right thing to do.

Willingness to work as hard as Changed Choices does - or harderIt is the client's life that is at stake and it is up to her to demonstrate the lengths to which she will go to make the necessary changes.

MAINTAINING A RELATIONSHIP

EXPECTATIONS: "APPLICANTS MUST SHOW

A HIGH MOTIVATION TO CHANGE."

METHOD: "WORKING WITH WOMEN,WELL IN ADVANCE OF THEIR RELEASE."

Our low recidivism rate is largely due to the approach of working with our clients during incarceration, well in advance of their release. As trust is established during incarceration, Changed Choices is able to provide the support system and services needed for successful transition. During incarceration, our clients receive the benefit of personal involvement on the part of dedicated Chaplains, pen pals and mentors. In addition there are books, self-help studies and Bible Studies that are offered them. We are also continually developing and offering programs to assist in the "connection" of mother and child. Physical assistance is provided when appropriate.

FAITH: "A STRONG FAITH IS VITAL

TO A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION."

Our Board of Directors is comprised of followers of Christ. Although this signifies who we are and what motivates our work, it does not limit our scope. Changed Choices has an Equal Opportunity and Diversity and Harassment-Free Workplace/Non-Retaliation Policy. It is important to us to work in both faith-based and secular environments within the incarceration and reentry assistance community.

That being said, studies have shown that a strong faith is vital to a successful transition into a "new life beyond prison walls." This, combined with a strong support system and perseverance on the part of the client, will lead to success. Therefore, we help to nurture and encourage our clients' spiritual development while meeting our clients where they are. There are no creedal requirements for women to participate in our programs or services. The goal of the Board of Directors and staff is to help our clients understand that they are unique and valuable individuals and to give them hope by providing the support system, training, spiritual foundation and sense of worth that will allow them to make wise choices. As we work together to ensure that these deserving women are given the opportunity to succeed, we will see destructive cycles broken while lives and futures are changed!

MISSION STATEMENT

As followers of Christ, our aim is to provide mental, emotional, physical and spiritual assistance to highly motivated women of all faiths both during their incarceration and as they transition back into society, thus enabling them to make positive changes in their lives and to achieve self-sufficiency.

"We work together to ensure that these deserving women are given the opportunities they need... we will see destructive cycles broken while lives and futures are changed!"

Our Approach

BECOMING A CLIENT . . .

Any woman with ties to Mecklenburg County who has at least two years of incarceration ahead may apply to become a client of Changed Choices. The application must come with a professional referral from someone who has known the prospective client for at least two months. Those applying must:

Show a genuine desire to change the course of their lives.
Be willing to make the hard choices in order to actually bring about a change - such as breaking ties with people who represent unhealthy relationships and represent areas of temptation to return to "old playgrounds".
Have a history (however short) of confirming the desire to change.
Be willing to take responsibility for herself and be accountable to the Changed Choices staff, as well as follow their guidelines.
Agree with the program expectations.
Be willing to abide by the individualized care plan directives established for them.
Be known by the referring source/individual for a period of at least two months.
Have a period of incarceration ahead of her (a minimum of two years) - in which time she can work on the issues from the past and begin building towards a solid future.