Giving Tuesday is a global movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. This day is an opportunity for people around the world to use their individual power to remain connected and support their communities.

At the Clean Slate Initiative, we believe that everyone deserves second chances.

Tens of millions of people—including many who have never been convicted—are saddled with arrest or criminal records that block their access to jobs, housing, education, starting a business, or participating fully in social and civic community life. In most states, record clearance is only possible through a time-intensive and costly petition-based process… which is inaccessible for many working people who are eligible for relief.

Our goal is to expand access to record clearance to ensure everyone has an opportunity to provide for their family, receive adequate housing and education, and exercise their voting rights. We do this by building power at the federal and state levels, supporting coalitions in states throughout the country, and uplifting people who are impacted by records as the center of this movement.

This year we passed legislation in Colorado and Oklahoma, paving the way for new opportunities for:

• 1.1 million people to have at least one conviction or non-conviction cleared;

• 1.7 million conviction and non-conviction cases to be cleared; and

• 977,000 people to receive full record clearance.

A person’s whole life should not be defined by their worst mistake. The holidays are a season of gratitude, forgiveness, and giving - and those values are at the core of the Clean Slate movement.

As we celebrate the holidays this season, reflect on the gift that a second chance would be for people living with a record. Please consider supporting our work, and the work of our state partners, as we collectively continue fighting to ensure everyone has access to a second chance.