About Us

OUR STORY

How Changed By Christ Began

Our story began with Colleen, a remarkable woman who found herself lost in a dark path of addiction and despair. After years of struggle and failed attempts at finding help, Colleen experienced a life-altering encounter with God while incarcerated — and with it, a vision of a place called Camp Gabriel’s, a sanctuary where people could find healing, restoration, and a deep connection with God. That newfound faith became the driving force behind her desire to help others break free from cycles of addiction and find their identity in Christ.

Upon her release, Colleen became a recovery coach and dedicated herself to serving others. Along the way she met Denise Greene, a kindred spirit who shared the same passion for helping those trapped in the grip of addiction. Together they saw the urgent need for reentry services in their community, and with the support of like-minded people, Changed by Christ was established to provide comprehensive reentry services and support for individuals seeking a fresh start.

Where We Are Today

In the years since, Changed by Christ has grown well beyond a single house. Today the organization walks with people at every stage of the road home: from incarceration, homelessness, addiction, or crisis through stabilization, housing, recovery, health care coordination, and long-term connection to community.

Our Homes

The Changed by Christ House on South Catherine Street in Plattsburgh is our women’s transitional living and recovery residence, serving up to eight women at a time. It welcomes women returning from incarceration, facing substance use or mental health challenges, experiencing homelessness, or navigating other major life transitions. In a structured, faith-based environment, women find encouragement, accountability, connection to treatment and community resources, and steady help rebuilding their lives.

In 2026 we acquired 111–113 Oak Street, a major expansion of our transitional housing. Made possible in part by a $100,000 donation and delivered fully furnished, the property allows us to open additional space for women far sooner than we could have otherwise.

The Syracuse Office

Our James Street office is the hub for our community-based programs. It is where individuals connect with staff for Health Home Care Management, Healthy Alliance screening and navigation, peer support, help with housing and other social needs, referrals, and transportation coordination. For many, it is simply a door they can walk through when they need someone to help them find their way.

Our Programs

Health Home Care Management helps individuals coordinate medical care, behavioral health, housing, benefits, and transportation. Through the Healthy Alliance Social Care Network, we provide screening and navigation for housing, utilities, food, transportation, and other social needs in Clinton and Onondaga counties. CORE Empowerment Services offers non-clinical, person-centered peer support delivered by people with lived experience. And because transportation is so often the barrier that keeps someone from an appointment, a treatment session, or a benefits meeting, we coordinate rides as part of nearly everything we do.

Our Partners and Reach

We work alongside health systems and hospitals, county departments of social services and mental health, corrections, probation and parole, and a wide network of faith-based and community organizations. What began in Clinton County now extends into Onondaga County and the greater Syracuse area.

We believe that true transformation comes through encountering the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Our programs are rooted in a holistic approach that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals in recovery and reintegration. Our vision is to see lives restored, families reunited, and communities transformed as individuals are empowered to live out their God-given potential.