One mans vision in July 2005 has literally helped thousands of people get a second chance in life. Project Clean Slate celebrated 8 years at a holiday event held in December at the Oregon Convention Center. The capacity crowd drew people from every zip code in the state to help raise money for what some people claim is the best investment of public and private dollars. Founded by Portland businessman Roy Jay, Project Clean Slate operates has their own court room in Multnomah County Courthouse and has been a blessing to so many people that are seeking redemption. Many needed the ability to regain their driving privileges while others are in need of expunging minor criminal convictions that are haunting them and creating a barrier to better jobs, education, housing and other opportunities. Project Clean Slate continues to receive the support of politicians, law enforcement, social service agencies as well as the private sector. PCS has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Spirit of Portland Award. Operating with a small staff and sometimes even a smaller budget, each case worker will handle as many as 250 clients each per month. When the program first debuted as a one time only event, it attracted 3000 individuals from throughout Portland to Portland Community College as judges, district attorneys, law enforcement officers and court staff came together to volunteer a full day to help people clean up their record. The program is not without its critics. (review the video and judge for yourself why the team work that Project Clean Slate has created works so well). People have the ability to convert delinquent traffic fines into community service. A $350 fee is required to participate in the one time only program, but the benefits is that people have been able to convert literally thousands of dollars in traffic fines. Some people report as much as $27,000 or more. This is the only program of its kind, not just in Portland, but the entire country. It serves as a model for many other cities that have trying to model itself out of what Roy Jay has created. Project Clean Slate became the calling card for those individuals that had outstanding warrants to surrender to a better way of life. Some have traveled thousands of miles to voluntarily surrender as Jay or PCS staffers escort them to Portlands justice center without handcuffs. Aside from his busy schedule, Jay conducts court orientation to usually a packed courtroom of clients that listen attentively. Through Jays vast amount of contacts, a team of experts including employers, insurance executives, bankers, law enforcement and social service technicians help facilitate the mandatory Personal and Community Responsibility classes that are held monthly. As the program turns the corner on their 8th year, Jay who cashed out a hefty amount of his retirement accounts to sustain the program for the first four years has witnessed the dividends by the number of people that he sees on the streets that have graduated from Project Clean Slate and boast about having jobs, better housing or re united with their families.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 05:52:09 +0000
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