Thursday, January 12, 2012

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Ateba Crocker founded the Shoe Revolt charitable organization in an effort to help stomp out the plague of sexual slavery in the United States. The simple concept was launched in 2010 in order to alleviate a problem that is infinitely more complex. Crocker, who suffered sexual abuse as a child, later as a young women engaged in prostitution to support her son, knows personally and from her work that breaking the cycle is difficult and the money involved a huge lure for the exploiters of young boys and girls.

In 2010 President Obama signed a bill making January Human Trafficking Awareness Month, something Ateba Crocker appreciated and hopes to build on in her efforts to raise funds charities housing sex trafficking victims, for example, an organization will acquire donated shoes and then sell online shoes at her site for no fee or at a pop up retail event. Shoe Revolt also teams up with shoe lovers to create fund raising efforts around the country from awareness fashion shows to shoe parties. Celebrities donate shoes to Shoe Revolt which are then auctioned-off online or at events (most recently the Capital City Ball in Washington, D.C.). This cross-promotion has enabled Shoe Revolt to spread the word effectively and bring help rescuing sex slaves from the brink of oblivion.

"At night while we sleep in America, down corner alleys, behind old buildings, along abandoned railroads, horrible and unimaginable crimes are being committed against our sisters, daughters, sons and brothers. This immense human tragedy must be faced, and it quite frankly requires a bigger solution," Crocker says.

The hidden tragedy of domestic sex trafficking ensnares pre-teen boys and girls into a dangerous existence and involves billions of dollars for organized crime. But in many ways it isn't so hidden, with strip joints and massage parlors proliferating or local papers chocked full of ads or easy to access websites selling sexual services. When an organization such as Shoe Revolt manages to loosen someone from the grip of this vicious world, by raising funds for outfits that offer a wide-range of services such as therapy, medical care, shelter, food and schooling, it gives someone a better chance to throw off the shackles of their former life.

The full rehabilitation of the sex slave victims can be a costly, long-term process, often involving years of healing and training. Resources available are outstripped by demand and rescued children can find themselves with nowhere to go but back on the street, thus heaping heartache on top of tragedy. Fleeting hope crushed by grinding reality is unacceptable in a country where freedom is prized and generosity is a hallmark.

Ateba Crocker's own story of redemption fueled her fire to start Shoe Revolt, but she can't do it alone. Instead of looking the other way and working as a university professor, she decided to start a new path and create a better future for the victims of a horrible crime, but she needs help. Rather being complacent and looking the other way, she remembered her own pain and sought out innovative techniques for raising awareness, but the burden is heavy and assistance is of utmost importance.

Help large and small is welcome. For example, someone might write an editorial or blog about Shoe Revolt, or maybe tweet about @ShoeRevolt while possibly encouraging Facebook friends to visit and "Like" Shoe Revolts Facebook page. Perhaps you could donate or buy a pair of gently used or new shoes, in fact one can even choose which program you want your profits to be donated to!

All profits from the shoes that are sold on Shoe Revolt's online boutique go toward supporting existing programs, as well as creating new ones. Shoe Revolt has received many, much appreciated donations since she first began, and support for her vision is continuing to climb. Celebrities such as Lea Michele, Lisa Kudrow, Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sanaa Lathan, Gillian Zinser, Ken Baumann, Zoe Bell, Matt Lanter, Sarah Clarke, Kellan Lutz and the Super Chicks have graciously donated autographed shoes to the cause. Shoe Revolt is also holding this month a private gifting suite to celebrate movie award nominees through Social Hill Gifting Services, in hopes of gaining much more needed celebrity support.



Go to www.ShoeRevolt.com for more information.

Ateba Crocker

CEO

Shoe Revolt

Beaverton, OR

971 217 1822

First Url: Shoe Revolt

Second Url: Watch Video Interview of Ateba Crocker, Founder of Shoe Revolt