Jacksonville Nonprofits to Empower Residents with Voting Rights and Second Chances this Saturday

Jacksonville Nonprofits to Empower Residents with Voting Rights and Second Chances this Saturday

Event at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church unites organizations to provide free legal and social services to people affected by the criminal justice system.

Jacksonville, FL (January 10, 2023) –

Imagine you’ve just gotten out of prison. You owe thousands of dollars in child support, your driver license is suspended, and finding a job that pays a living wage is a struggle. Where doyou turn? Seeing the need to increase access to resources that empower residents to better provide for themselves and their families, a consortium of community groups has united to host a one-day event to provide free legal and social services to uplift those in the region. With a focus on helping people who have been arrested regain their civil rights, everyone in need of free legal assistance or other tools for success is welcome to this walk-in resource fair and legal clinic this Saturday.

The public is invited to this free event at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church located at 2036 Silver St, Jacksonville FL 32206 from 10am to 4pm. Those attending will have the opportunity to meet with attorneys and over two dozen nonprofit organizations that are all dedicated to helping them seal or expunge arrest records, regain the right to vote, receive immigration advice, get assistance with housing and employment, enrolling in college, and obtaining medical services.

Hosted by the legal aid organization Florida Justice Center, voting rights group All Voting is Local, and Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, the event is expected to draw hundreds of attendees.

“We are proud to partner with so many amazing groups that have served Jacksonville for decades in this event that honors Dr. King’s legacy and is the first of many area events celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Weekend,” said Florida Justice Center Executive Director Jonathan Bleiweiss.

Florida Justice Center, Florida’s only legal aid focusing on rights restoration services, will be providing sealing and expungement, voting rights restoration, driver license reinstatement, mugshot removal, clemency, and probation assistance.

Community groups will include 904Ward, All Voting is Local, Catholic Charities, Changing Homelessness, Florida Department of Health, Florida Justice Center, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters, Hubbard House, JMZ Processing Mobile Notary and Fingerprinting, League of Women Voters Jacksonville First Coast, Lutheran Social Services, Northside Coalition of Jacksonville, Operation New Hope, Pace Center for Girls, United Way of Northeast Jacksonville/211, and Women’s Center of Jacksonville.

For more information and to pre-register, please visit FLJC.org/JAX

Media Gallery