Story written by - Hena Allaqaband, Strategic Partnerships & Storytelling Program Assistant, IRC Oakland

From Harm to Safety

When Raul first connected with the International Rescue Committee in Oakland, he was trying to rebuild his life after experiencing labor exploitation. As an immigrant from Nicaragua, he had recently left an unsafe situation and was referred to the IRC with several urgent needs.

Raul needed to find a safer place to live, access healthcare and food assistance, and understand unfamiliar public systems. Although he was working part time, his income was not enough to cover the high cost of living in the Bay Area. He was also hesitant to share personal information and found it difficult to trust others because of what he had experienced.

“When I first came to IRC, I was afraid to share information and trust people,” Raul said. “The support helped me feel that I was not alone anymore.”

Building Stability and Trust

IRC staff worked with Raul to build trust by helping him address his most immediate concerns. The importance of learning to trust, and to hope again, could not be underestimated. Within several weeks, Raul moved into an apartment and began receiving rental assistance. Staff also helped him apply for Medi-Cal and CalFresh, access food resources, and connect with other community services. Receiving support in his native language, Raul was free to ask questions, understand his options, and participate more confidently in decisions about his life.

“Being able to communicate in my language made it easier to understand the process and begin trusting the people who were helping me,” Raul said.

Once his immediate needs were more stable, Raul began focusing on employment and long-term financial independence. IRC staff helped him create a résumé, apply for jobs, build his credit, and strengthen his financial-management skills. Raul secured work as an electrician and began preparing to transition from part-time to full-time employment, taking important steps toward the stable life he envisioned for himself in Northern California.

IRC staff continue to support Raul as he advances professionally, including connecting him with training and guidance related to becoming an electrician. He has since become self-sufficient to the point where he is no longer on public benefits, like CalFresh.

Reclaiming Independence and Looking Ahead

As Raul became more stable, he also moved into more permanent housing and strengthened his ability to manage appointments, benefits, bills, and other responsibilities on his own. With IRC staff providing guidance and support along the way, Raul reclaimed greater control over his life. He built the confidence to navigate complex systems, advocate for himself, and use available resources to move forward and thrive.

“When I came to IRC, I felt broken,” Raul said. “Now my life is more stable. I am able to trust people more, and I feel more confident managing things on my own.”

Raul has also developed a reliable network of support. At the same time, he has learned how to identify community resources, advocate for himself, and take the next steps without depending on someone else to manage every part of the process.

Raul is preparing to exit the program. He now has stable housing, consistent employment, access to healthcare, and the skills to navigate essential services independently. His next goal is to continue developing his trade and eventually establish a business of his own.

“My goal is to become a professional electrician and one day build my own company,” Raul said. “I want to keep learning every day, be responsible and dedicated to my work, and help people who need support in this field.”

A Future Filled with Promise 

Raul's story is a reminder of the community of welcome needed for newcomers to thrive. While the IRC offers a safety net, our work is made possible by people like you: employers, educators, donors, volunteers, advocates, and so much more. 

With your support, survivors of trafficking can build a brighter future for themselves and their families.