Better Family Life’s annual Family Week began August 9 and continues through August 14. The week-ending and largest event will be Friday’s Peacefest which brings the return of the Amnesty Project.
Like in last year’s Peacefest, Better Family Life’s Amnesty Project will help many area citizens to remove minor traffic offenses. Last year, over 12,000 people were helped, and Better Family life is looking to extend the reach of the project.
This year the project also is helping people receive pardons for all active minor misdemeanor warrants.
All such warrants can hinder people from getting jobs because of their blemished records.
BFL has expanded the list of St. Louis-area municipalities that will participate in the Amnesty Project, with several more municipalities signed on than the 32 that participated last year. St. Louis City and all St. Louis County municipalities were invited.
To get a warrant removed, a $5 processing fee will be collected, followed by a brief amnesty overview workshop. Afterward, an amnesty voucher will be administered for the individual to take to the municipality to have the warrant lifted and a new court date set.
Peacefest is a daylong celebration at Ivory Perry Park beginning at 10 a.m. The event will feature local musical artists, a children’s zone, the Who’s Who in Black St. Louis Softball Game, over 100 vendors and the St. Louis Metro Car Show.
New this year to Peacefest is a health component. BJC Healthcare, Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Centers and Gateway Foundation will offer free general health screenings. Gateway Foundation will also offer dental checkups if proof of insurance is provided.
Family Week this year is held in honor of Tyrone Thompson, former Pagedale police chief, who was shot and killed during an attempted robbery in early June.