CHOICES Global Institute of Healing and Education (CGI) was founded by Merle Hoffman in 2015 to help address the global need for education and services relating to women’s and girls’ health, well-being, and ability to thrive and achieve their potential as full human beings. To this end, we develop, sponsor, and promote educational and training efforts, services, and programs in the U.S.A. and internationally.
Now in 2023, we are in the process of reconceptualizing and rebuilding the Institute in line with the great need for abortion care and related reproductive health services brought about by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs Decision that outlawed abortion nationwide and unleashed draconian state restrictions. The new CGI will better reach and enable people to actively support these efforts and become partners in working towards a more just and inclusive society, restoring fundamental human and civil rights, and improving health outcomes for the communities we serve.
If you would like to be kept up to date on developments and projects of the CHOICES Global Institute of Healing and Education or would like to make a contribution of your time or financial resources, please contact us at [email protected].
Our mission is to help women worldwide..
bringing women's health to the forefront
Projects in the U.S.A.
Developing and supporting health education and care is at the core of our projects in the U.S.A. Through its community outreach programs, CGI develops projects to raise public awareness about women’s health issues and provide support to underserved women and their families. This includes the development of sexual health classes for women and men, from school age through the senior years. We work closely with community organizations, schools and women’s leadership programs on reproductive health issues, and sponsor classes and seminars, including on Birth Control and Healthy Relationships, free of charge. We also promote education projects that teach about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS.
Learn more of our projects in the USA
Projects Internationally
Internationally, our projects have included supporting the research and analysis of feminist scholars to help immigrant and minority women who live in shame-and-honor cultures. We have been researching and publishing material about honor-based violence including honor killing, interviewing victims of such violence, with a special interest in identifying for what may account for a successful escape from honor-based violence. We host evenings, attend and present at conferences, appear in the media to elevate understanding globally and strengthen women individually.
Our projects include CGI Advisor-in-Chief Dr. Phyllis Chesler's continuing academic studies at Middle East Quarterly about honor killing; feminist analysis of the burqa and face veil; consulting with feminists globally who work in these areas and with those who are starting websites and social media campaigns to deal with such issues on every continent. CGI is undertaking a publishing program which will include writing articles for selected venues and re-publishing some pioneering feminist works with new Introductions and Study Guides for students, therapeutic practitioners, and diverse populations.
Choices Global Institute of Healing and Education, Inc. is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.