Friends, this year has been a lot.
Between unprecedented inflation, a statewide affordable housing crisis, skyrocketing healthcare costs, and a tremendous assault on reproductive rights, many people are struggling. Rather than address the systemic racism and income inequality that underlie these struggles, politicians have chosen to scapegoat the most vulnerable among us.
More people—mostly persons of color living in poverty—are sitting in Texas jails and prisons than anywhere else in the United States. But many are tangled up in our criminal legal system not because of any crime, but because of the criminalization of poverty and cycle of fines and fees, incarceration, and loss of driver’s licenses, which keep them oppressed. Our most marginalized community members face the greatest burdens.
Our mission to end the criminalization of poverty in Texas is more pressing than ever.
In 2025, we’re getting back to our roots - we’re fighting to end systems of oppression that keep our most vulnerable community members trapped in a cycle of debt, incarceration, and economic uncertainty.
-
We’re taking the fight to the Capitol, where the 89th session of the Texas Legislature is convening. There we’ll fight to repeal the Omnibase program, which suspends individuals’ driver’s licenses and limits their ability to provide for themselves and their families simply because they’re unable to pay fines and fees owed to courts.
-
We’re expanding our record-clearing and driver’s license restoration services to reach even more individuals in need by holding clinics across the state.
With your support, we will empower even more Texans to start fresh, without the burdens of debt and criminal records that limit their opportunities to pursue employment, education, and economic freedom.Your support creates deep, direct, and lasting change to those who need it the most.
By committing to TFDP, you make it possible for us to continue vital work:
-
$100 helps us keep our day-to-day operations running smoothly
-
$250 helps us train a pro bono attorney to assist community members at a legal clinic with clearing their criminal record or restoring their driver’s license
-
$365 covers the cost of clearing a community member’s criminal record and expanding their opportunities to pursue employment and education
-
$500 helps us restore a community member's license, so they can safely drive their kids to school and buy groceries
-
$750 helps our staff advocate at the Legislature for laws and policies that will improve conditions for millions of low-income Texans
-
$1,500 lets us directly travel throughout the state to community members in need so we can help safely untangle them from discriminatory and predatory practices
We also offer monthly donation plans. To sign up for a recurring donation, select the recurring option at check-out when you make your donation or visit this page.
In solidarity,
TFDP
