Announcement
The International Rescue Committee received word this week that it received a $350,000 grant through the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) for its Turlock office to combat human trafficking. The investment will allow the IRC to partner with the Alliance for Community Transformation to fight human trafficking in Stanislaus, Merced, Mariposa, Mono and Tuolumne Counties.
“We are excited to receive the 'Developing Capacity to Service Human Trafficking Victims' award from the Office for Victims of Crimes to serve survivors of sex and labor trafficking in Stanislaus and surrounding counties (Tuolumne, Merced, Mariposa, and Mono),” IRC anti-trafficking caseworker Reianna Peets said.
The new anti-human trafficking program, called Central California Anti-Trafficking Resources and Empowerment Program (CCARE), begins Oct. 1, 2020. The IRC in Northern California submitted a proposal for the grant in May.
"The three-year grant will be focused on creating a strong referral network among the counties, providing education and training to community organizations, and providing case management to survivors as they are referred to our program and choose the new direction of their lives," Peets said.
IRC is grateful for the support of local NGOs and law enforcement as well as Rep. Josh Harder for a letter of support for the grant, IRC Turlock site director Vivien Jacob said.
"We are looking forward to helping this population with the support of local law enforcment agencies," she said.
For further information, contact the IRC in Turlock/Modesto at 209-667-2378 or Reianna Peets at [email protected].
