CLS Christian Lawyer Magazine June 2014_Proofforweb.pdf Jun. 2014 | Page 18

CHRISTIAN L EGA L A I D

LEGAL AID TRANSFORMATIONS

Sheila’s Story: A Clean Start
BY KATHARINE OSWALD

S

heila is a neighbor and friend of Christian Legal Clinics
of Philadelphia (CLCP). Ater years of frustration trying
to ind nursing work that would sustain herself and her ive
grandchildren, Sheila knew she needed to try to clean her
criminal record.
With an expungement or redaction, certain arrest data and
charges can be cleared from one’s record, helping many in their
search for gainful employment. In the past two years, CLCP
has ofered expungement services to dozens of individuals
at no cost. It’s one way we can help families in this struggling
economy and show people the love of Christ.
Sheila’s life has not been easy. When she was pregnant with her
irst daughter, her husband was shot and paralyzed from the
legs down. It was as she watched the nurse take care of her husband on home visits that she realized she wanted to become a
Certiied Nursing Assistant.
At irst, Sheila found inconsistent work, but past charges on her
record caused her employers to let her go, even ater she had

16

proved her reliability as an employee. Sheila’s search for work
became even more desperate,
as she took on custody of her
grandchildren. Yet nearly every employer she approached
was turning her away on account of her record.
In the fall of 2012, she came to CLCP’s Expungement Clinic in her North Philadelphia neighborhood looking for help.
Several months later, CLCP atorney Ted Oswald called Sheila
to let her know the expungement process was completed. She
was elated! She resumed her search for work with conidence.
Since that time, Sheila has obtained two new nursing jobs with
excellent employers. She says, “I’ve got so many jobs now! I
don’t know which ones to choose!” She thanks God, and she
thanks CLCP for their service.
To read more stories like Sheila’s, visit clcphila.org.

THE CHRISTIAN LAWYER | JUNE 2014