25 signatures reached
To: President, Congressman, Supreme Court
Help a felon reach their potential life goals
I'm a convicted felon, and it's been 10 years since my conviction. Despite staying out of trouble, it’s incredibly hard to find stable employment or housing. I've been managing, but something doesn’t sit right with me: a president with a criminal record can run the country, yet I struggle to secure a good-paying job or a place to live because of my past.
On top of these struggles, I’m also facing serious health issues. In December 2020, I was diagnosed with SLE Lupus. Just a few months later, on March 11, 2021, I was shot in the face—a bullet traveled from my cheek through my nose, into my right eye, and out my left ear. I was in a coma but, thankfully, survived. Now, in 2024, I’ve been diagnosed with thyroid and throat cancer and have begun treatment after surgery.
When I reached out to over 20 agencies for assistance, they all turned me down because I’m a felon. The government encourages voting, saying felons have rights, but when it comes to actual support—jobs, housing, financial aid—they don’t seem to care. I know there are countless others like me, felons who are ready to work hard and contribute but face barriers due to past mistakes.
The justice system seems to give people like Donald Trump the freedom to pursue powerful positions despite their records. Why can’t we, as felons, also get a fair chance at careers as doctors, nurses, engineers, police officers, or whatever we aspire to be, without the constant question: “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?” These questions on job and housing applications need to go. If someone’s work ethic and commitment are solid, that should matter most.
There are 5,125,114 felons in the United States (based on those who are not incarcerated). It’s time for a change. If Donald Trump has the opportunity to run the country, then we should have the opportunity to build lives for ourselves too. This petition is for all felons who can’t get a decent job or find stable housing—especially for those of us who have been turned away after revealing our past mistakes in interviews.
Why is this important?
It matters because, in prison, they tell you things will be easier once you’re back in society, but the reality is different. Without family support, it’s a struggle to survive, with most applications ending in silence. This issue is critical not only for me, as I’m battling cancer and still can’t get government help, but for countless others who feel forgotten. If someone like Trump can run for president, why can’t we have a chance to improve our lives—mentally, physically, financially, and emotionally? Our past mistakes don’t define us; we’ve worked to better ourselves, and all we need is a chance.
How it will be delivered
Email, social media, everywhere