Cleared to Thrive Campaign

A time for action and generosity to clear the way for our neighbors in need to thrive

Extended Through Saturday May 2! 

April is recognized nationwide as Second Chance Month—a time to acknowledge the millions of people living with criminal records and the barriers they face to employment, housing, and stability.

In Washington, DC, nearly 1 in 7 residents has a publicly available criminal record, and more than 80% of those arrested are Black. Even when charges are dropped, or cases are resolved, records can follow individuals for years—blocking opportunities and limiting futures.

At Christian Legal Aid of DC, we believe poverty should never determine access to justice. We exist to clear the legal barriers that keep our neighbors from moving forward—so they can rebuild their lives and thrive.

Jesus said He came so that people may have life—and have it abundantly. Through your support, that promise becomes tangible for those we serve.

Jesus said He came so that people may have life—and have it abundantly. Through your support, that promise becomes tangible for those we serve.

Access to Justice Changes Everything

Our mission is to deliver access to justice for the most vulnerable in metro-Washington DC, with the love of Jesus. Our staff, along with pro bono attorneys, deliver legal services and representation at no cost to low-income people and train community members to exercise their rights. 

 Our clients come to us facing overwhelming challenges:

• Criminal records that limit reintegration, employment, housing, and licensing opportunities
• Unsafe housing conditions or risk of eviction
• Complex probate and estate matters after the loss of a loved one
• Difficult guardianship decisions for vulnerable family members

These are not problems people can navigate alone—yet legal help in DC often costs $300–$600 per hour, placing it completely out of reach for those who need it most.

Your Impact in 2025

Because of supporters like you, in 2025:

• 335 individuals received direct legal services and representation
• Each case—valued between $300 and $5,000—was provided at no cost
• 1,122 individuals gained legal knowledge through workshops and community events
• 1 in 3 clients received extended follow-up services
• 30% of cases required full legal representation

Every number represents a life changed—someone able to move forward with dignity, stability, and hope.

Between April 21 and 28, we are confident that with your support, we can raise $80,000 to make access to justice a reality for so many people in 2026.  

Stories of Change

You are cleared to thrive!

We recently received an email from one of our clients that said: "Attorney Davis is awesome... (He's the Bomb.Com) and because of that I have referred several people to CLADC... And, I would be honored to share my story at your events about the amazing work you guys are doing for the community..." 

Our Executive Director did not understand what Ms. T meant by our attorney being TheBomb.com... He Googled it and Gemini AI said: "It's slang for something that is exceptionally excellent, impressive, or cool. Originating as a takeoff of "[the bomb]" (meaning "the best"), it is used to describe high-quality people, things, or experiences."

Our client, Ms. T. was born in a crime-infested neighborhood during the crack epidemic and was often physically bullied by her peers and verbally abused by her stepfather. At a young age, she ran away to survive on her own.

Still, without a support community, she fell into substance abuse and found herself in trouble with the law several times, which led to several arrests, charges, and a conviction. But she defied the odds. Worked on herself and has taken significant steps toward restoring her life. She became a certified Family Development Specialist while attending a summer session at Cornell University. She has over 16 yrs of experience working in the social services with several D.C. Government agencies. She has also worked for several local non-profits. She is also a Board Member at a women's shelter.

But her record was an ever-present reminder of her past and a significant barrier to many opportunities, including jobs, education, and others. 

So she sought help from CLADC. Our attorney, Michael, got to work first by moving to set aside her conviction, then by petitioning to seal her other records. After arguing with the government before the Court, the Judge ruled that setting aside her conviction and sealing her criminal records was in the interests of justice, and ordered relevant government offices to remove all her records from public view and access.

No wonder Ms. T. was ecstatic. No wonder she thought Michael is the Bomb.Com. The court decision had life-altering consequences for her, but this time, to remove shame, unlock opportunities, provide respite, and clear the way for Ms. T to thrive.

Ensuring a Second Chance

Meet Mr. K.

In his early twenties, Mr. K made a mistake as a young and inexperienced man. He was charged with carrying a pistol without a license. Without better options available, he pled guilty and accepted one year of probation and 90 hours of community service, which he successfully completed in December 2022. Despite fulfilling his obligations, the conviction became a significant barrier to employment and stood in the way of his goal to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

Seeking a fresh start, Mr. K turned to Christian Legal Aid of DC for help.

Our staff advocated on Mr. K's behalf, presenting evidence to the court demonstrating Mr. K's growth, maturity, remorse, and clear commitment to rebuilding his life. Because Mr. K had been convicted as a youth offender and showed tangible rehabilitation, a DC judge granted the motion to set aside his conviction and ordered that his record no longer be publicly accessible.

After the ruling, our team shared the news with Mr. K, expressing both professional encouragement and a message of hope rooted in faith. Mr. K responded with heartfelt gratitude:

“Thank you, for sticking with me through this whole process and making this possible for me. I’m very thankful for you being able to make this happen. It will truly be life-changing. I’m very grateful to the court for pushing this order through for me. Hope you continue to bless other people as you have for me!”

Your generosity clears the way and opens doors for individuals seeking restoration, stability, and hope. Your partnership allows us to walk alongside our neighbors during some of their most vulnerable moments and help them thrive!

What Your Donation Supports

Your generosity powers every aspect of our work, including:

Legal Clinics: Free consultations offered in person and virtually, providing trusted legal advice.

Follow-Up Services: Additional support for more complex cases, including research, advocacy, and client communication.

Extended Representation: Full legal representation for clients navigating court proceedings, record sealing, estate planning, and more.

Our 2026 Cleared to Thrive Campaign Sponsors: 

We thank the 2026 Cleared to Thrive sponsors who are providing a huge boost to our campaign and who believe in Second Chances and in clearing the way for people in need to thrive. 

Platinum Sponsor: 

• The Bosson Legal Group

Gold Sponsors:

• The Wiegand Family
• Cris & Sam Logan

Silver Sponsors:

• Karen, Steve & the Wu Family
• Anacostia River Church
• Passion City Church DC

What Your Gift Makes Possible

CLADC is able to provide free services to clients in large part because of attorneys who generously give their time to pro bono work. Operating costs include staff time for representing clients, recruiting and guiding volunteer attorneys, training volunteers, hosting community legal education workshops, conducting intake interviews with prospective clients, fundraising, paying rent for office space, purchasing legal software, and the costs of administration and accounting support, and audits. 

What makes it Christian legal aid?

We are a Christian organization rooted in the love of Jesus—serving our neighbors in metro Washington D.C. with compassion, excellence, and dignity.

Our values are: 

• Joy - Our work is fueled by the oxygen of joy. Just as a flame needs oxygen to burn bright, we cannot be a light for others without the joy that characterizes our work in celebration and in hope of the justice of Jesus.
• Excellence - We approach every potential client as though we were serving the Lord, because we are. Just as everyone in the city deserves access to justice, we see everyone as worthy of excellent service and care throughout the legal process.
• Jesus-centered - We are a Christian organization, centered in Jesus and compelled by his love to serve our neighbors in his name. 
• Client-focused - Our clients’ journey toward justice is a story about their perseverance in the face of challenges. We are here to support them on that journey and to serve their needs in pursuit of that justice. 
• Community-present - We are neighbors serving neighbors. We stay close to the community and listen for their guidance on local issues facing the metro DC area. 

Your donation clears the way for people to thrive - join the movement

Without legal representation, our clients lose their jobs, houses, guardianship rights, and the ability to care for family in need – and, of course, a fair chance to be heard by a judge who can do justice.

With CLADC’s help, clients get criminal records that previously limited their careers sealed and their names cleared. They stay in their homes and get required repairs done that would otherwise be neglected. They feel the weight of complex legal problems lifted from their shoulders. 

With our free legal services, our clients get access to the justice that would otherwise be denied them, simply because they are poor. 

Your Gift Clears the Way

Will you donate today so we can continue providing the free legal services our neighbors need?

The Cleared to Thrive Campaign aims to rally support primarily for CLADC’s criminal record-sealing practice, but the funds will also help fund other critical areas of need.