One in three adults in the U.S. carries a criminal record—and with it, a lifetime of locked doors. At the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, we believe that never having a chance at a job, housing, or a path forward is not justice; it’s a second sentence.

We want to tell you about William.

Before his incarceration, William worked in construction in South LA. He was skilled, proud of his work, and rooted in his community. In 2009, he was sentenced to 27 years in prison for a felony conviction. William could have let that define him. Instead, he spent that time preparing for the life he was determined to build on the other side—and after years of dedicating himself to personal growth, he was awarded an early release.

When William came home, he threw himself into service. He got involved in his church, volunteered at a local food bank, and became a mentor to young people facing challenges. He joined a union and took on a leadership role supporting young African American men entering construction trades.

William had a vision: use his skills to build affordable housing and create good-paying jobs for others rebuilding their lives after incarceration. But when he applied for a contractor’s license, he was denied because of his record.

William did not quit. Through Project imPACT, LAFLA’s reentry program in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, our advocates helped William build a powerful case demonstrating his rehabilitation and the support of his community. The judge was convinced, and William received a three-year probationary contractor’s license, which will become a full license this year!

Today, William is still building—literally. He’s turning his vision into reality and has already completed several beautiful buildings. We recently received this letter from William:*