Hundreds show up to expungement clinic at Goodwill
Louisville, KY – Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is partnering with the Kentucky Department of Corrections’ Division of Reentry Services and Legal Aid Society to host an expungement clinic at 9:00 AM on Friday, June 29, at the Goodwill Center for Education and Employment at 909 E. Broadway.
The three agencies are teaming up to offer a step-by-step guide to the expungement process, including a review of charges that qualify for expungement and consideration of individuals’ income levels to determine the cost, if applicable, of having a record expunged. Those meeting certain criteria could have their records expunged at no cost. Expungement court forms will be offered, and participants will have access to free background checks from the Department of Corrections’ Division of Reentry Services in partnership with the Administrative Office of the Courts; legal assistance, and other community resources. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer plans to open the day’s events with remarks.
“Making expungement affordable is one of our recovery goals in Hope, Healing and Recovery, our citywide plan to address substance use disorder,” said Fischer. “When we can address the root causes that may contribute to whether an individual begins using harmful substances, we can remove barriers to helping them lead healthy productive lives. Expungement can be very costly and a daunting process. I applaud Goodwill and our Legal Aid Society for working to help our citizens clear their criminal records to make finding better employment and income a reality.”
“Partnerships like this one allow us to fulfill our mission and provide our clients with the holistic services they need to transform their lives,” said Neva-Marie Polley Scott, Executive Director of Legal Aid Society. “The reentry work that Legal Aid Society and Goodwill are doing, specifically around expungement, enables our clients to obtain a fresh start. By clearing out a criminal record, our clients are able to obtain employment or get a better job to provide for their families, stabilize their incomes, and achieve their goals in life.”
Participants of the expungement clinic will also hear more about Goodwill’s Soft Skills Academy, a series of free classes teaching critical skills that employers look for as they seek to fill open positions. After completing skills classes, participants earn Work Ready Certificates and are paired with career coaches to further prepare for and secure employment, ensuring that the job seeker’s skills are matched appropriately with an employer’s needs and requirements. After placement, Goodwill career coaches stay engaged with both the employee and employer to assist with any issues that could put the individual’s employment at risk.
“Goodwill works hard every day to support people who want to work, but need help getting a foot in the door or simply a second chance,” said Amy Luttrell, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. “We’re proud to have strong partners working by our side so Kentuckians can work towards realizing their potential when given an opportunity.”
Door prizes will be available for participants, and Anthem Medicaid is hosting refreshments. For more information about the expungement clinic, contact Dennis Ritchie at 502-585-5221 or dennis.ritchie@goodwillky.org.
About Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
In the 2017 fiscal year, Goodwill placed Kentuckians into more than 3,400 jobs across the state – both inside and outside of Goodwill. Goodwill’s career path programs and employment services, which serve Kentuckians who have disabilities or other challenges, are funded through a combination of grants, corporate and individual giving, and its retail stores, which sell donated clothing and household items at 64 locations across Kentucky.