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SALT LAKE CITY — September is National Recovery Month and one Utah organization is using it to provide free expungements for people in recovery from substance addiction.
Rasa was founded by Noella Sudbury in 2022, with a mission to help people who have been clean from substance abuse to clear their records so they can secure jobs and housing without dilemma. The organization has helped more than 9,660 Utahns since its start.
Tracey Williams Gibeck said her "life has been restored" with Rasa's help.
Normally, representation from Rasa lawyers would be about $500 for up to three cases. While already a much lower cost than legal representation would typically be, the cost is being waived for a new recipient each day in September, which is what happened for Williams Gibeck.
Eligibility for an expungement is determined by many factors, including how long it's been since a person's last criminal charge. A Utah law that took effect in 2022 also offered an automatic clean slate for many with minor criminal records.
"I remember thinking no matter how far I reached my hand down on the inside of myself — out of all of that despair, misery, shame, guilt, remorse and regret — no matter how far I reached, I would never touch bottom," Williams Gibeck said of spending 15 months in prison.
Within a year of leaving prison, she had the opportunity to work at a recovery center in Provo, and different treatment centers since then.
She went back to school in 2012, which required admitting on an application that she was a felon. "I remember carrying so much shame," Williams Gibeck said.
After some time, Williams Gibeck was finally able to talk with Rasa about an expungement. In the process, the Rasa employee helping her mentioned a free expungement given every day for National Recovery Month, and she was later able to receive that opportunity.
"I honestly believe that miracles do happen, all the time," she said. "They happen every day, and I just feel so grateful to Rasa for their kindness, their persistence and patience with me, and for gifting me the opportunity of not being anchored in my past."
Nonprofit organization Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness hosted National Recovery Month events around the state of Utah to help people in or seeking recovery to be aware of the resources available to them, including Rasa's program.
Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness seeks to help those in recovery find a treatment program that works for them, because the commonly known 12-step program doesn't work for everybody.
Sudbury said Rasa's goal is to help those in recovery have the resources they need to continue recovering, even if they are not eligible for an expungement yet. Rasa is open to help with expungements year-round and is staffed by lawyers.
This month is Rasa's first time giving away free expungements, due to closing in on their first year.
To be considered for the 30 free Recovery Month expungements, individuals who use Rasa's tech tool this month at https://www.rasa-legal.com/ will be entered into a drawing for a free expungement. During the month of September, the tool is free to use with the code RECOVERY.
For those who are not selected for the free giveaway, Rasa provides low-cost legal services year-round.
