In August 2008, the Board of Directors of Covenant Prison Ministries (CPM) unanimously decided that to effectively reflect its expanded vision, the ministry would take on a new name.

After 24 years of ministry, Covenant Prison Ministries has now changed its name to Safer Communities Ministry (SCM). And while the proven strategies of CPM in combating recidivism will remain unchanged, a shift has taken place in the ministry that will enable it to take its model into counties beyond Union and Mecklenburg. Safer Communities seeks to be more intentional in its efforts to engage whole communities in the effort to bring life-change to ex-offenders. The goal is to mobilize a county to address the life issues of the total person. To accomplish this, SCM offers solutions on four levels: countywide, individual partner sites, individual cases, and individual character issues: faith-based options. SCM sees the name change as a starting place for building understanding and cooperation around these efforts.

“The change in name is a statement of what this ministry has been about for over two decades,” comments CPM Founder and Executive Director Al Lewis, Jr. “And it is a statement of what every citizen desires: a safer community.”

The Safer Communities Ministry (SCM) Board is in agreement that raising the level of safety in a community is dependent upon; 1) making residents aware of the Recidivism Challenge; 2) helping residents, businesses and organizations understand that they have a role in the Recidivism Solution; 3) providing Volunteer Training for those concerned with the safety of their community and the changing of lives; and, 4) responding to the requests of other counties that want to use Safer Communities Ministry’s programs and materials.

From this new website, SCM will communicate news and opportunities regarding our traditional faith-based programs and our community initiative, “Second Chance Re-Entry Network,” or SCREEN. Currently, SCREEN operates with the involvement of 26 partners in Union County with churches, religious organizations, community and government service providers, businesses, and civic groups to break and decrease the recidivism cycle. We are working hard to take what we have learned and offer an adaptable toolbox of ideas, strategies, programs, tools, and services which other counties can utilize.

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