It was 2 a.m. on a Friday when the IRC received an urgent referral from law enforcement. Kelsey had just escaped a trafficking situation and needed immediate help — a safe place to stay and a hot meal.

The IRC sprang into action. Within hours, Kelsey was placed in an emergency hotel and provided with food and basic necessities. But the IRC team knew this was just the beginning. They immediately began searching for a safe house to give Kelsey a long-term solution — a place where she could begin to heal and rebuild.

Working closely with her caseworker, Kelsey developed a sustainable recovery plan focused on restoring her autonomy and self-sufficiency. The first step was securing mental health services to help her process the trauma she had endured. With her basic needs covered, Kelsey could finally focus on her future.

The IRC helped her enroll in a nurse assistant certification program — a path that not only gave her new skills but also renewed her sense of purpose. Today, Kelsey is finishing her certificate, has secured a stable job, found a place to live on her own, and most importantly, has regained her self-esteem.