Letters from clients
Changed Choices, I just wanted you to know, Every book you send and assignment you share gives me a chance to learn and grow. I’m so thankful, and you should know. Every letter/card you send my way gives me and many others a hope that we can overcome our struggles with every encouraging word. What […]
The year before release: Transition year
With our latest client release just over a week ago, we visit with one of our Change Coaches to see what the transition year is like.
Walking into freedom
This morning, she walks out of the door for the last time. Over the last two years, she worked diligently to set herself up for success. What does successful re-entry look like? The next few days, weeks, and months will hold a lot of “firsts”: How can we create a welcoming community for residents navigating […]
Maternal Incarceration
Our clients often share that mail call can either be the best or worst part of your day. Maybe you get a letter or card, and feel a connection to your children and family. Prison communication is expensive: How do we keep the bonds of mothers and children strong, even through incarceration?
What is Kinship Care?
Kinship care for children of incarcerated parents is placement with a family member instead of foster care during a parent’s incarceration. More than 20% of children of incarcerated parents live with grandparents or other relatives. Nonparental caregivers face multiple challenges, such as enrolling children in school, and receiving state and federal services. On average, kinship […]
Incarcerated parents and the foster care system
Nearly 30,000 children, or approximately 6% of all children entering foster care, are placed due to parental incarceration. About 11% of women and 2% of men in prison report having children in foster care. May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and in North Carolina there are about 12,000 children are in the child welfare system. […]
WomenGiveCLT
Changed Choices had the opportunity to join over 350 women interested in investing in our community at WomenGiveCLT. A big thank you to ShareCharlotte, Junior League of Charlotte, and Women’s Impact Fund for hosting this amazing event. Based on research by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, organizations dedicated to women and girls receive a very small […]
Why community is important
Families and social support networks play a critical role in a returning citizen’s transition from incarceration to the community, and research on family-inclusive re-entry models has been promising. While families can provide for immediate needs such as housing, they can also create connections to employment and community services. What if a strong family support system […]
How do we communicate with our clients?
A few weeks ago, I sat down with one of our Change Coaches, Jessica Summers, to discuss communication. Of our client caseload, approximately 60% are serving in North Carolina state facilities, and 40% are serving in federal facilities across the country. This week, Jessica shares the process of communicating with state clients. Next week, Jessica […]
Re-entry job readiness–it starts day one
We often share with our clients that successful re-entry begins the first day of their incarceration. Re-entry job readiness is just part of the plan. While access varies facility to facility, we encourage our clients to take advantage of any and every educational and training opportunity. That can look like finishing a GED program or […]