‘Rights After Wrongs’ to Provide Day of Services, Information

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (December 28, 2016) – An event to assist residents transitioning back into the community will take place Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Little Rock. Held in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, “Rights After Wrongs” is a one-stop day of service that will bring together attorneys, service providers, employers and other organizations to help connect individuals with criminal convictions to much-needed resources such as legal help and employment preparation.

The event, which is collaboration among several community partners, will take place from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at St. Mark Baptist Church at 5722 West 12^th St. 

Services provided will include:

• Pro bono and reduced rate legal assistance
• Free expungement/petitions to seal (participants must bring identification, sentencing order and ACIC Report)
• Assistance with warrant resolution with a criminal attorney
• Employment readiness and job leads
• Resumé and job application assistance
• Drivers license reinstatement counseling
• Aid for veterans
• Educational opportunities
• Financial literacy and tax services
• Health services and wellness evaluations
• Housing help 

“There are several barriers individuals face when they transition from the criminal justice system back into the community. Our goal is to provide resources to make that transition as seamless as possible, helping those willing to work for it find the path to a lifetime of change,” said Ericka Benedicto, Racial and Cultural Diversity manager for the City of Little Rock.

Bringing together a multitude of service providers for one daylong event benefits participants the most, Benedicto added.

More information about the event is available at rightsafterwrongs.com or by calling 501-244-5483. The group is also seeking volunteers and service providers to help out with the event. 

Partner organizations for Rights after Wrongs will include: Central Arkansas Re-Entry Coalition, the City of Little Rock Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission, the Good Grid, Urban League of Arkansas, Arkansas Legal Services, TRIO, Arkansas Workforce Development, Harold Flowers Law Society, Pulaski County Bar Association, Arkansas Criminal Attorneys, Arkansas Mediation and Dispute Resolution Center, Central Arkansas Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Arkansas Office of Child Support Services, St. Mark Baptist Church, Department of Human Services -SNAP, Longley Baptist Church, Food Bank, Watershed, UAMS, Veteran Services, Arkansas Disabilities Rights, Arkansas Rehab Services and Career Education, MHA and Tyson.

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