Why are we different?
It’s not WHAT we do, It’s HOW we do it.
OUR MISSION
To Restore, Renew and Rebuild the lives of survivors of sex trafficking in Santa Cruz County and Beyond. Our integrated approach engages and empowers the local church, businesses, government agencies, and community stakeholders to collaborate to bring wholeness and freedom.
OUR VISION
To do whatever it takes to protect our community, to see victims of human trafficking set free, and to provide them with a safe location where they can heal, feel loved, and create the life they always deserved
You see when a victim is either rescued or escapes her trafficker, not only is she traumatized on every level, she, in one moment loses her home, job, phone, transportation, safety, provision and everything else. Without resources to support her effectively, chances are very high that she, unable to survive on her own, will return to her trafficker. She doesn’t just need one thing, she needs EVERYTHING, and all at once.
The weight of restoration is too difficult for one person or one organization, but instead requires a community. A community where each person or institution takes its role and works together to promote stability and create an environment for healing to take place. Arukah Project is continuously working not only to provide these necessary services, but to establish a network of individuals and agencies and organizations that can address the needs of our clients. We must include all sectors including churches, social services, law enforcement, businesses, non profits, education, medical professionals, therapists and community organizations to be effective.
Our solutions are based in building a Transformational Culture that accomplishes more than any of us could do on our own.
Leadership
Loreal Weitzel
Executive Director &
Founder
loreal.weitzel@arukahproject.org
Loreal graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Santa Cruz, is a Certified Human Trafficking Case Manager in California, and has an MA in Intercultural Studies with a focus on Children at Risk from Fuller Seminary. She founded Arukah Project in 2019 with a passion to restore the lives of sex trafficking survivors from all over California.
*Due to the nature of our work, we are unable to share the names and biographies of our other staff members and volunteers to protect their identities.
Board Members
Stacy believes that injustice can be eradicated if each of us contributes to the effort; particularly in the areas of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. She holds a BA in Criminal Justice and an MA in Forensic Psychology. Over the past 13 years, she has dedicated her career to supporting survivors of sex trafficking; serving as a Residential Advisor, Case Manager and Family Education Specialist. Stacy loves the Lord, and enjoys spending time with her family.
Stacy Blue
Board Member
and
Advisor
John Grady
EMS Director,CAPCE Education Board Member, and Advisor
Dr. Grady graduated from the Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2008. He now works in Santa Cruz specializing in Emergency Medicine, Osteopathy, and Rejuvenation Therapies. He is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Osteopathic physician at Dominican Hospital’s Emergency Room in Santa Cruz and has treated thousands of Santa Cruz natives suffering from trauma, sports injuries, infections, acute complications of chronic conditions, and much more.