Christian Legal Aid of the District of Columbia

06/22/2026

There is encouraging news in the fight to protect the DC Access to Justice Initiative.

The original budget proposal would have reduced funding by approximately 84%, from $31.4 million in FY26 to just $4.9 million in 2027.

Thanks to advocacy from community members, legal aid organizations, volunteers, and supporters, DC Council members have committed to find the funding to fully restore the funding to current levels.

This update is worth celebrating but nothing is guaranteed yet.

The DC Council is scheduled to hold its second vote on the draft budget. We encourage supporters to continue reaching out to their DC Council members and urging them to work toward full restoration of Access to Justice funding.

Every day, legal aid organizations help DC residents facing housing instability, family crises, criminal record barriers, and other life-changing legal challenges. Access to justice should not depend on a person's ability to pay.

Thank you for speaking up—and please keep going.

04/30/2026

We are making great progress with two more days left in our Cleared to Thrive Campaign. We are at 73% of our $80,000 goal! Join us in bringing second chances and in clearing the way for people in need to thrive.

The Cleared to Thrive Campaign rallies support for Christian Legal Aid of DC in favor of those who need justice, mercy and a second chance.

04/28/2026

Today is the final day of the Cleared to Thrive Campaign.

And we’re close to our goal—but not there yet.

This week, you’ve seen what access to justice can do:
• A record cleared
• A future restored
• A barrier removed

But for every story shared, there are many more still waiting.

Waiting for help they can’t afford.
Waiting for a second chance.
Waiting for someone to stand with them.

Without legal support, our neighbors face:
– Lost job opportunities
– Unsafe or unstable housing
– Legal barriers that don’t go away on their own

But with your support?

Everything can change.

A single legal victory can open doors that were once permanently closed.
We’re working to raise $80,000 to continue providing free legal services to those who need it most.

If you’ve been thinking about giving—this is the moment.

Be part of what helps someone move forward.

Before the day ends.

Here is the link to give: https://campaigns.donately.com/t001/cmp-team?account_subdomain=christianlegalaiddc&campaign_id=cmp_4d460bcee4a2&draft_id=dft_235d60dbdb71



Funding generated through this campaign will support CLADC’s criminal record sealing, estate planning, probate and other areas of practice, as well as sustain our operations.

04/26/2026

What if your past kept showing up—no matter how much you’ve grown?

For many individuals, that’s exactly what happens.

Even after completing probation, paying fines, and doing everything required, a criminal record can continue to block access to jobs, housing, and stability.

Mr. K experienced this firsthand.

After making a mistake in his early twenties, he worked hard to move forward—but his record stood in the way of his future in cybersecurity.

Through Christian Legal Aid of DC, he found the legal support he couldn’t afford on his own.

An attorney advocated for him in court, demonstrating his growth and rehabilitation.
The result?

His conviction was set aside. His record is no longer publicly accessible.

A door that was once closed is now open.

This is why access to legal services matters.

This is why your support matters.

As part of the Cleared to Thrive Campaign (April 21–28), we’re raising support to continue providing free legal services to individuals who need a second chance—but don’t have the resources to pursue one.

Because justice should not be out of reach.

Here is the link to give: https://campaigns.donately.com/t001/cmp-team?account_subdomain=christianlegalaiddc&campaign_id=cmp_4d460bcee4a2&draft_id=dft_235d60dbdb71



Funding generated through this campaign will support CLADC’s criminal record sealing, estate planning, probate and other areas of practice, as well as sustain our operations.

04/24/2026

What does a second chance really look like?

For Ms. T, it meant finally being free from a past that no longer defined her.

After years of hard work—building a career, serving her community, and creating stability—her criminal record continued to stand in the way of new opportunities.

That’s when she turned to Christian Legal Aid of DC.

With the help of a dedicated attorney, her conviction was set aside and her record sealed.

When she heard the news, her response said it all:
“He’s the Bomb.com.”
Simple words—but they capture something powerful.
Relief. Gratitude. A fresh start.

Every day, CLADC helps individuals navigate complex legal barriers that they cannot face alone—simply because they cannot afford an attorney.

And every day, lives are changed because of it.

As part of the Cleared to Thrive Campaign, we’re working to ensure more people have access to that same opportunity for restoration.

Because justice should be accessible to all—not just those who can afford it.

Here is the link to give: https://campaigns.donately.com/t001/cmp-team?account_subdomain=christianlegalaiddc&campaign_id=cmp_4d460bcee4a2&draft_id=dft_235d60dbdb71



Funding generated through this campaign will support CLADC’s criminal record sealing, estate planning, probate and other areas of practice, as well as sustain our operations.

04/21/2026

This week is the beginning of something meaningful.

From April 21–28, Christian Legal Aid of DC is launching the Cleared to Thrive Campaign—a week dedicated to helping our neighbors overcome legal barriers and move forward with dignity.

April is recognized as Second Chance Month, and here in Washington, DC, nearly 1 in 7 residents has a publicly available criminal record. For many, that record becomes a constant obstacle—impacting employment, housing, and stability for years.
At CLADC, we believe access to justice should never depend on income.

That’s why our staff and volunteer attorneys provide free legal services to individuals who cannot afford representation—helping clear records, prevent eviction, and guide families through complex legal decisions.

Last year alone, we served 335 individuals and reached over 1,100 people through legal education and community outreach.

This week, we’re working to raise $80,000 to continue this life-changing work.

When you give, you help:
• Remove barriers to employment
• Keep families in their homes
• Restore hope and dignity

Most importantly—you help someone move from stuck to thriving.
If you’ve ever believed in second chances, this is your moment to be part of one.

Here is the link to give: https://campaigns.donately.com/t001/cmp-team?account_subdomain=christianlegalaiddc&campaign_id=cmp_4d460bcee4a2&draft_id=dft_235d60dbdb71



Funding generated through this campaign will support CLADC’s criminal record sealing, estate planning, probate and other areas of practice, as well as sustain our operations.

04/14/2026

Have you ever desperately needed a second chance? Have you thought about the thousands of people in our Washington DC region who are trying to rebuild their lives but cannot move forward because of past criminal records that no longer represent who they are working so hard to become?