Second Chance Month 2023

Bill Wallace founded Tomorrow's Promise Foundation in 2017 with the mission of empowering youth by providing access to programs that enhance life skills. After being tried as an adult and sentenced to prison as a juvenile, Bill transformed his life through determination and hard work. Today, he leads Tomorrow's Promise Foundation, shaping the next generation of community leaders.

David’s story highlights how – no matter how much a person accomplishes after their arrest or conviction – a record can be a life-long sentence that blocks opportunities for someone to engage in their kids’ education, like volunteering for a school trip. David talks about how Clean Slate sparks hope for a true second chance, so that people can live transformative lives without the weight of their record hanging over their head.

This profile sheds light on the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals and the hope that Clean Slate policies bring.

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Destiny’s story showcases how important it is for people with records to find open doors instead of endless barriers. After overcoming addiction, homelessness, and a past filled with trauma, she still felt pulled down by the weight of her record — until she was presented with an opportunity for a job that changed the course of her life.

Dr. Topeka’s story illustrates how anyone, from any background, could find themselves in need of a second chance. Despite being raised with opportunities, love, and support, she made mistakes. She knows first-hand how hard it can be for women who are trying to move past their mistakes and into a better future, and how Clean Slate can help remove some of the barriers blocking their way.

Elvina's story reveals the invisible barriers a record creates, preventing access to jobs, housing, and even assistance programs. She couldn't even get a job at McDonalds because of her record. Now, with her Clean Slate, she’s got a great job and is back in school pursuing an accounting degree and a real estate license.

This profile sheds light on the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals and the hope that Clean Slate policies bring.

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Erica thought she knew the (justice) system she was working in… until she had to learn more about it from a true insiders’ perspective after both her parents were sentenced. Her story is an example of how records reach beyond the person who carries them, and what it means to love someone who lives with a record.

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Jamar shares his story through art: His spoken word performance highlights how he transformed pain into purpose, and his passion for writing and storytelling is how he hopes to inspire others to do the same.

Jibria is one of the more than 100 million people in America directly impacted by the criminal legal system. As the Operations Manager for the Clean Slate Initiative, Jibria works every day to ensure everyone has a second chance. This is part of her story.

By moving to a big city, Kenneth thought that he’d be able to find a well-paying, steady job and then move up from there. Instead, because of his record, he was faced with 40 interviews that resulted in 40 rejections. After finally landing a job, he still faced barriers to housing, getting life insurance, and more.

Kristie was battling a substance abuse addiction when she got her record — and that record followed her as she tried to move beyond her addiction and create a better life for her family. Kristie’s story is a showcase of grit and resilience, and uplifts the idea that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves a baseline of support and resources.

Naesha’s story touches on the stigma that surrounds people who have records. She talks about how the process of seeking record relief isn’t just financially burdensome and time-consuming — it’s also an emotional journey, which is one of the many reasons why automated record sealing is so important.

Ronald knows that mental health is a major factor for people trying to get through incarceration and build a better future. He helps build a path to second chances through healing and trauma education — to ensure that people aren’t bound by their past mistakes.

Stories like Scott’s – a former probation and parole officer – showcase how the justice system creates barriers for people with records, and how those barriers can hinder hope and a drive to do better. Scott reminds us that behind every record is a person with hopes, dreams, and the potential to contribute to society.

This profile sheds light on the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals and the hope that clean slate policies bring.

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Maggie is a directly impacted leader from Texas who is working to ensure everyone has a shot at redemption. The Clean Slate Initiative is a bipartisan policy model that works to update and expand eligibility for arrest and conviction record clearance if a person stays crime-free for a period of time.

A story like Marlon’s is an example of how barriers from records can present themselves in ways most would never think of, like blocking someone from being the executor of a loved one’s estate. Marlon’s story emphasizes that Clean Slate is a way to a better life.

This profile sheds light on the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals and the hope that Clean Slate policies bring.

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Inspired by her brother’s story, Tiffany shares the importance of life after incarceration, and how policy-led system changes like Clean Slate can help people find redemption rather than revolving doors of incarceration.

When Zaki was convicted, he had no idea that the collateral consequences of his record would follow him long after he finished his sentence. Zaki’s passion is using his experience and his story to work with young people, but his record creates barriers to that work — keeping him from working in schools despite fifteen years of community service and rebuilding his life.