Rising for Justice

RFJ Executive Director Chijioke Akamigbo hosted guests from the Kyrgyz Republic as part of the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program, addressing topics including: "U.S. legal aid response to housing and human rights violations against members of marginalized communities." RFJ: Roby Penn Gusty Taler Gregory Nolen Chaz Kohlrieser, MSW, LICSW KYRGYZ REPUBLIC: Association of Legal Clinics of Kyrgyzstan, Union of People with Disabilities, Advocacy and Education, Labrys, East West Management Institute, Smart Zharan Association, and the Cross-Border Youth Network Housing Inequity is a GLOBAL ISSUE. 55th Anniversary of RFJ serving those most in need in our Nation's Capital.

Chijioke Akamigbo, RFJ's Executive Director, was honored to address the Moldovan Legal Clinics Conference in Chişinău, Moldova on "The role of legal clinics in the legal education in the USA", along with Bridget Arimond, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, as part of the American Bar Association's Rule of Law Initiative.

A big shoutout to the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia for organizing a fantastic #SecondChanceSecondHand event this past Saturday with local legal services providers and our DC neighbors! The RFJ team was thrilled to connect with former clients, educate about tenants rights, and spend the day talking to folks about our work.

Thank you to the DC Social Justice Transformations Network members who joined us last week for two Network events: the Intake Network Town Hall and the Executive Director Meet-Up. The DC SJTN is proud to offer opportunities like these for justice-minded individuals and leaders to connect and share knowledge. To get involved with the DC Social Justice Transformations Network, please email innovation@dcbarfoundation.org. Pictured: Attendees at the Executive Director Meet-Up generously hosted at Rising for Justice.

I am nearly two months into my internship at Rising For Justice. I have been enjoying working for the Expungement Program, which assists low-income DC residents with expunging or sealing DC records. The biggest thing I’ve learned since starting this internship is how record sealing can benefit the lives of those with criminal histories. I have interviewed several clients who have faced discrimination in housing and employment due to their criminal records. These clients accept that they made mistakes in their lives and have actively worked to improve their situations by participating in rehabilitation programs and other services. Despite their hard work, they often can’t find stable employment or housing. Many have loved ones to support and have goals of going back to school and pursuing their dream career, but their record puts them at a severe disadvantage. Record sealing is a great aspect of our criminal justice system. Those with criminal histories can file motions to have their records sealed from the general public, making it easier for them to find employment and housing. Due to the complexity of record sealing laws in DC, lawyers, like those at Rising For Justice and other agencies, are critical in assisting movants in this process. I wish to see a criminal justice system that believes in second chances and provides a pathway for those with criminal histories to re-enter society successfully. Record-sealing helps individuals as they exit the criminal justice system, but we need to address the structural inequalities that led them to have criminal records. We need to end poverty and homelessness and provide more resources for those struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. These efforts will significantly decrease crime and recidivism rates. It is an honor to intern for Rising For Justice’s Expungement Program. This experience has made me more confident that a career in public interest law is the right path for me. I am excited for what’s to come! Photo: me on the steps of the Supreme Court, after attending a Courtroom Lecture with my class through the SUNY Washington Internship Program. The photo is courtesy of Robert Powell, the Associate Director of the program. The SUNY Washington Internship Program is amazing and provides students with incredible opportunities in DC!

We're thrilled to see one of our student attorneys, Mary Swanson, featured in this piece. Swanson is on a journey to reinvent herself after serving in the military. This Fairfax County Times feature about Swanson documents not only her resilience and drive, but also the pivotal way programs like the Warrior-Scholar Project and our Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic can help launch a career in public service. Congrats, Mary! https://lnkd.in/egSQwbwB