Supporters Help Mecklenburg Co. Imprisoned Women During Pandemic

Changed Choices, a faith-based nonprofit that empowers current and recently incarcerated Mecklenburg County women to achieve lasting, positive change, has quickly reacted to circumstances as a result of COVID-19. Fortunately, unexpected donations have allowed it to stay focused and expand its work during this critical time.

The organization reports about 63% of the reentering citizens it supports have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced. Donations have arrived from the private sector such as Bob Barker Company, Inc. of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., from nonprofit funders such as United Way of Central Carolinas and churches, and from caring individuals donating stimulus checks and other resources.

“The women we serve and all of us deeply appreciate these contributors,” says Diane Hunt, Executive Director of Changed Choices. “We’ve used these donations to provide groceries and funds for rent, utilities and car payments. Some of these women were released early because of concerns that COVID would spread rapidly in prisons. Others were already scheduled for release during this time. Now, they’re back in a very changed society, with limited employment opportunities, so every bit helps.”

Nancy Johns, Chief Operating Officer for Bob Barker Company, Inc., says their foundation has awarded several grants in the past, but felt this moment required additional support of $25,000 directly from the company. “Our team members strongly endorse Changed Choices’ mission to help women build new lives once they’ve served their sentences. It’s especially impressive that the program’s outcomes show a very low recidivism rate for participants, which speaks to the effectiveness of this approach.”

Changed Choices also has doubled the number of incarcerated clients who receive a $35 monthly stipend. The pandemic led many of the prisons to suspend work release programs, where the women could earn a small amount. Family members have also lost jobs, so their ability to help provide financial resources disappeared. This increased the need for the additional stipends.

Volunteers also have continued to send encouraging cards and letters to incarcerated women to show support. This has been especially meaningful as the prisons went into shutdown mode and inmates were required to stay in their own cells to prevent the spread of the virus.

Changed Choices’ approach is based on personal relationships developed with women over time. The program provides wraparound services, starting with their initial entry at the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office Detention Center, continuing with them during their time in prison and through their re-entry back into the Charlotte community. In addition to providing programs and services in the Detention Center, Changed Choices also serves women in state and federal prisons.