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Earlier this month we celebrated Labor Day, a holiday born from the labor movement’s fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity of work.
We’re reminded that everyone deserves the chance to work with dignity and to build a stable life through that work. At Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, we help people overcome the legal barriers that stand between them and meaningful employment. Whether it’s securing a work permit, protecting a worker from exploitation, or ensuring access to healthcare that makes holding a job possible, our team is here to help. In this edition, we’re highlighting the many ways legal advocacy supports people on their path to employment and economic stability.
Expunctions: Clearing the Path for a Brighter Future
Did you know that about 1 in 4 North Carolinians have a criminal record? A criminal record, even for a minor or dismissed offense, can create lasting barriers to employment. At Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance to build a stable and fulfilling life—including access to work. Our expungement services help clients clear eligible charges from their records, removing one of the most persistent obstacles to finding a job.
Through our legal clinics and one-on-one representation, we assist individuals in navigating the complex process of record expungement. For many, this is more than a legal service—it’s a life-changing opportunity. Once a record is cleared, clients can apply for jobs with confidence, gain access to better housing, and start planning for a more secure future.
In 2024, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy assisted 250 clients through multiple expungement clinics.
Nicole’s Journey and the Power of Expungement

When Nicole first heard about the Charlotte Expunction Clinic at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, she had no idea how much it would transform her future. Burdened by misdemeanor and felony charges, she had spent over a decade being defined by her past. With the help of volunteer attorneys at the Clinic, Nicole began the process of clearing her misdemeanors. The day she received confirmation that her record was partially cleared was a turning point—but just the beginning of her journey.
Determined to move forward, Nicole worked with Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy to tackle the more difficult expungement of her felony convictions. With an attorney from the Advocacy Center representing her, she successfully cleared her record across multiple counties. As doors opened, Nicole reclaimed her life—finishing high school, inspiring her son to graduate alongside her, and finally becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant. Today, she’s employed in a role that reflects her growth and determination. Nicole’s story is a powerful reminder that with support and a second chance, people can rise, rebuild and create lasting change.
“Some of us grow up, but the world won’t always let us. They only see our past mistakes. But thanks to the Advocacy Center, I can finally introduce people to the person I am now.”
-Nicole
Stable Housing: Laying a Foundation for Employment and Resilience
At the Advocacy Center, we believe that stable housing is more than just shelter—it’s the foundation for stable employment and long-term opportunity. Without a safe, secure place to live, it becomes nearly impossible to maintain a job, care for a family, or plan for a better future. That’s why we prioritize sustaining and protecting affordable homeownership. It fosters family stability, supports consistent employment, strengthens the local economy, and enables the transfer of generational wealth.
Charlotte has a homeownership rate of 65%, with many of these homes owned by longtime, working, low-wealth families, seniors and people with disabilities. The Advocacy Center partners with families to explore alternatives to foreclosure, access critical home repairs, advise heirs about homeownership preservation, and educate the community on the increasing prevalence of home equity and foreclosure rescue scams.
When a family is able to preserve an affordable, long-held home, it significantly improves their ability to access and maintain employment. That stability benefits not just the individual household—but also neighborhoods and the broader community.