Help a labor trafficking survivor stay sheltered
Arnoldo Lopez Contreras was labor trafficked in San Francisco, then seriously injured on a job, and has been struggling to get back on his feet ever since. Because of the prohibitively high rents in the Bay Area, Arnoldo has been living in his truck for several years. My name is Jennifer, I'm a documentary filmmaker and I've been making a short documentary about Arnoldo Lopez Contreras since late 2019.
On August 2, 2021, Arnoldo's truck was stolen in Oakland. Thieves took his transportation and his home. They got all his personal belongings, $4000 worth of tools, and his newly won Green Card. They took the small foothold he has been carving out for years, as he's been working to gain stability and send money to his family.
Arnoldo is working hard to regain what was lost, but it is challenging to start back at square one. He's been working as a handyman and painter, but he needs to replace his tools in order to work. He needs a reliable truck. He needs a place to sleep.
I know so many are struggling right now, so if you don't have anything to spare, I understand. But if you can even give a few dollars, we can balance out all of the exploitation and predation that Arnoldo has experienced with generosity and hope.
With $12,000, Arnoldo will be able to get another used truck, and replace some of the tools he lost. It's a lot to ask, but that's why any portion of it will really help him out. I am hoping we can give him a significant amount by the end of September, before the weather starts turning cold.
If you want to learn more about Arnoldo's story, we're about to release a short documentary called This Adventure Called California about his experience. You can sign up for our newsletter and get updates here. Or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram: @climbermedia.
And you can check out a sneak peek clip here.
Thanks for helping Arnoldo!