Goodwill Industries of Kentucky recently partnered with the Kentucky Department of Corrections Reentry Division and Legal Aid Society to host an expungement clinic in Louisville. The event was held on January 24 from 9:00 – 11:30 AM at the Goodwill Center for Education & Employment, located at 909 E. Broadway. Spectrum News followed a participant and covered the clinic. Click here to view the coverage and listen to the interviews.
At the expungement clinic, the partnering agencies guide participants through the process, run record checks, review previous charges and begin paperwork. “Expungement” is the process by which a record of criminal conviction is erased or sealed from state or federal record. An expungement order directs the court to treat the criminal conviction as if it had never occurred, essentially removing it from a criminal record.
In 2019, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky hosted 36 expungement events statewide, serving 1,511 job seekers with background challenges. In 2020, the nonprofit is placing an emphasis on providing expungements free of charge and ensuring participants complete the full expungement process.
“Goodwill works hard every day to support people who seek employment, 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 by our side so Kentuckians can work towards realizing their potential when given an opportunity.”
Participants of the expungement clinic also have access to multiple community resources, several employers and information 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 a “Work Ready Certificate” 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 help maximize the longevity of the individual’s employment.
For more information about the expungement clinics, contact Dennis Ritchie at 502-585-5221, Ext. 2201 or [email protected].