By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Barton County’s Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE) group is
hosting an event alongside Kansas Legal Services to help people with suspended
licenses or those trying to expunge matters from their record. Brittaney Fox
Bennett, working with Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas in Great Bend,
said the program will guide people in the right direction to potentially have
their driver’s license reinstated or criminal record expungement.
"There's a lot that goes into trying to figure out what paperwork you need," said Fox Bennett. "Sometimes it's a lot to even fill out the paperwork or figure out where you need to go to get the paperwork to turn into municipal our district and pay the fees."
COPE was designed to empower people with knowledge and expertise to help
improve their lives and to lower the poverty level. The program is July 8 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Great Bend Senior Center, 2005 Kansas Street.
"With the clients that I serve, this is definitely a need," said Fox Bennett. "Some people struggle getting housing and jobs. There are multiple landlords in Great Bend who won't rent to anyone that has a criminal record, regardless of the charges. Having the option to be expunged opens up the possibilities of being able to live."
Interested participants should pre-register by June 27 by contacting Kansas
Legal Services at 1-800-723-6953. Walk-ins will be accommodated if possible, but are not
guaranteed.