Montreal asylum seeker gets help from social media to find work

Adonai Raphael was having a tough time finding a job, until he got help from a TV personality who put out a call for him on social media. (Jack Richardson/CTV News)

Adonai Raphael has been living in Montreal for about five months. But if you ask him, it’s felt much longer — because he can’t find a job.

“I apply almost every day,” the 30-year-old tells CTV News. “I don’t like to stay in my bedroom every day.”

He is originally from Haiti, but was living in Nashville, Tennessee until the United States Government changed its immigration policy. Going back home to Haiti was not an option due to safety concerns.

Raphael says he came to Montreal because there is a significant Haitian population in the city. He is fluent in French, Creole and working hard on improving his English.

But he’s had no luck finding a job for months.

“It’s hard for me. I’m sad because I don’t have friends here too, I’m trying to meet people going to church,” he says.

Raphael spent years living with a family in Nashville when he was younger — and they happen to be close with Kortney Wilson, a TV personality with nearly 300,000 followers on Instagram.

A few days ago, she decided to do what she could to help Raphael find work.

“This is one of those times when I could use social media for good,” says Wilson.

“I was like, you know what? I’m just gonna throw it out there.”

She posted a quick video explaining Raphael’s situation, asking if anyone from the Montreal area was hiring.

“The response has been overwhelming. Like not just on the page, but like all of the private messages to me saying, listen, my company might be able to help,” Wilson explains.

One of those messages appears to have led to something for Raphael, who is most likely going to start working for a transportation company next week.

“I feel good now, I feel very very happy,” he says.