As we close out 2024, it is a great time to reflect on the progress made and the progress we seek in years to come. At Rasa, we remain steadfast in our mission to help individuals clear their criminal records and move forward with dignity and opportunity. This year, we celebrated remarkable milestones, shared powerful stories, and paved the way for systemic reform. Let’s look back at the impact we made together.
Breaking Barriers with Record Clearance: 2024 by the Numbers
This year, nearly 6,000 people used our eligibility tool to explore their options for clearing their records. With Rasa's user-friendly platform and expert guidance, we are making knowing your record clearance options more accessible than ever.
Earlier in 2024, we surpassed an incredible milestone: we have taken on more than 5,000 cases since we opened! Each case represents more than a statistic—it’s a person and a fresh start for someone ready to rebuild their life. Whether securing stable housing, accessing better employment opportunities, or restoring a sense of dignity, the ripple effects of these successes cannot be overstated.
This year, we also redefined affordability. By bundling government fees with our service costs, we offered greater transparency and simplified the process for our clients. For individuals eligible for a government fee waiver, representation costs just $250 per case. This is a dramatic difference compared with the $2,000 - $5,000 a traditional lawyer will charge. We also expanded our grant and partnership work to continue to ensure record clearance is within reach for those who need it most.
Sharing Stories, Changing Perspectives: The #1in3 Campaign
Through our #1in3 campaign, we continue to raise awareness of how common it is to have a criminal record, as well as the challenges and stigma that comes with it. This campaign highlights diverse individuals from various walks of life, showcasing their resilience and achievements despite the barriers imposed by their records. In 2024, we released 6 amazing new stories.
With each portrait and personal story, we aim to change public perception, celebrating individuals for their courage and determination. Behind these pictures are people who have become entrepreneurs, attorneys, criminal justice advocates, and directors of non-profits. Many are parents, and some became parents this year. These powerful stories, paired with striking illustrations, help humanize the realities of having a record, and the struggle, success, and power of the people behind those records.
Explore the #1in3 portraits and stories here.
2024 Legislative Wins in Utah and Arizona
Rasa is not just a legal services organization, we are an organization that advocates for change. This year, Rasa played a key role in advocating for new legislation in both Utah and Arizona to increase access to record clearance and opportunity for people who are justice-involved.
Utah: Removing Financial Barriers with HB 352 and SB 163
In Utah, we work with lawmakers to pass and champion bills that tackle significant barriers to record clearance. Highlights included:
- Higher Income Thresholds for Government Fee Waivers: More single adults and smaller households qualify for government fee waivers, making the process accessible to more people.
- Streamlined Applications: A single waiver determination now applies across multiple courts, reducing duplicative paperwork and administrative burdens.
- BCI Fee Waivers: For the first time, eligible individuals can have their Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) fees waived.
Arizona: The "Bill of Hope"
In Arizona, the "Bill of Hope" brought transformative changes to record-sealing laws:
- Ability to Seal as Cases Become Eligible: Individuals can now seal records as they become eligible, offering a step-by-step path to a clean slate.
- Reduced Waiting Period for Felonies: Worked with lawmakers to clarify that multiple felony records do not lead to longer waiting periods, but rather time crime free is what matters.
- Improved Fingerprint Clearance Opportunities: Sealed records are now a mitigating factor for obtaining fingerprint clearance cards, opening doors to employment in regulated fields.
Raising Awareness Through 2024 Events
In April, we celebrated National Second Chance Month by hosting panel events in Utah and Arizona. These discussions shed light on the barriers faced by individuals with criminal records and emphasized the importance of fair chance hiring. Featuring thought leaders, advocates, and individuals with lived experiences, these events reinforced our commitment to a future where second chances are the norm, not the exception.
Amplifying Our Voice on Bigger Stages
This year, Rasa’s mission reached new audiences through conferences, awards, and public speaking engagements:
TEDxSaltLakeCity:
Our CEO, Noella Sudbury, inspired attendees with her TEDx talk, exploring how technology-driven record clearance empowers individuals and strengthens communities.
Recognition and Awards:
Noella was honored as a 2024 Salt Lake Chamber Pathfinder, celebrating her leadership and impact.
Rasa participated and won a national startup pitch competition put on by The Legal Tech Fund, recognizing our innovative approach to legal technology.
Conferences:
We also spoke at key re-entry events this year, including:
The National Reentry Workforce Collaborative Conference in Denver, where we presented on the transformative impact of record clearance on workforce development.
The Arouet Foundation Fair Chance Symposium in Arizona, advocating for second chances through fair chance hiring.
The Salt Lake Chamber Women in Business Conference, where we hosted a panel to spotlight the critical role of fair chance hiring in economic equity.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we look to the future, Rasa is ready to expand into new states, making record clearance accessible to even more people. Our commitment to innovation and affordability remains steadfast, and we are excited to scale our impact.
Here’s what’s next:
- Expansion into More States: We’re taking our mission nationwide to ensure everyone, regardless of geography, can access a clean slate.
- Improved Tools and Resources: From enhanced eligibility tools to streamlined processes, we’ll continue to innovate for our clients, releasing modern software that makes it easy for our clients to engage with us and see their progress.
- Stronger Advocacy: We’ll work with policymakers and partners to drive systemic reform, ensuring second chances are not just possible but easily accessible.
2024 has been a monumental year for Rasa, and we couldn’t have achieved this without the support of our community. Together, we are breaking barriers, rewriting narratives, and paving the way for brighter futures. Happy New Year!
