"This criminal record clearing clinic is like no other in our community. Criminal record clearing is important to the individual and to the community; we will celebrate that 'fresh start' collectively. That is why we are calling our legal clinic a fiesta, La Gran Fiesta de la Oportunidad. Attorneys will help people look at their public records and if a person has anything that needs to be addressed, then we connect them with Public Defenders to start the process and we applaud that accomplishment" says Will Gonzalez, the Executive Director of Ceiba.
On Saturday, October 22, 2022, starting at 10:00 AM, Ceiba, The Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania (HBAPA), the Defenders Association, and La Guagua 47 a latino arts and culture project, are organizing La Gran Fiesta de la Oportunidad at Taller Puertorriqueño, 2600 N 5th St Philadelphia PA 19133.
Criminal record clearing is an important workforce development mechanism. It helps eligible some people improve their prospects for higher paying jobs. PA law allows:
Old and minor convictions to be sealed
Expungement of
Any charges that did not result in conviction
Summary-level convictions for people free of arrest or prosecution for 5 years following their summary conviction
"La Gran Fiesta de la Oportunidad” uses arts for social change. The community comes together around an issue via art. We talk about it. We learn more about it. We act. In this case, we rejoice in the personal and collective transformation with music, arts, and food. No better way to commemorate new beginnings" says Alba Martinez, Director of La Guagua 47.
The event is sponsored by The Promise, Philadelphia’s Poverty Action Fund, powered by United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. The Promise is a city-wide coalition dedicated to reducinge Philadelphia’s poverty rate and supporting an equitable economic recovery from the pandemic. Combining City funding and private donations, The Promise invests in hands-on services by community-based organizations who work collaboratively to help low-income Philadelphians gain access to benefits and opportunities for upward mobility.
For more information about La Fiesta de la Oportunidad please contact Ceiba by calling 215-634-7245 or via email at info@ceibaphiladelphia.org.
To preregister for the criminal record clearing clinic, please go to: https://forms.gle/DQsLrSHn1UPmKJQP8