In its first five years, the combination job fair and expungement event — aimed at erasing eligible misdemeanors and low-level nonviolent offenses from attendees' criminal records — has touched the lives of around 1,800 people.
"Over the years, I've witnessed the incredible transformations of the people that have attended this event," Lexington Chief Opportunity Officer and clinic organizer Tiffany Brown said. "I've seen the spark of hope rekindle in their eyes. They had believed they'd run out of chances."
And helping offer that next chance is a number of community partners, including Legal Aid of the Bluegrass.
"We expect to have about 25 volunteer private attorneys there as well to help with the advice. If someone is eligible for expungement, we will then seek to provide representation in court to help them obtain that expungement," Legal Aid executive director Robert Johns explained.
Johns said a survey of people who have utilized the service showed 65% reporting increased work opportunities and 45% securing jobs they couldn't have previously obtained.
The clinic runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Thursday at the Central Bank Center.