Dear Suporters,

Sex slavery is real in the United States.

You can see it thriving in any community across our country – just look for it in strip clubs, shady massage parlors, web sites, and even newspapers that sell sex services. Human beings are simply commodities to predators, because they can be sold over and over again to different people, unlike drugs or weapons. This is a $32 billion industry, and is the fastest growing in the world. From the 2008-2010 Federal Investigation of human trafficking, 99.7% of sex trafficking victims were U.S. Citizens. The amount of money made in 2007 from the sex industry was more than Google, Nike and Starbucks’ profits combined. All of this proves that modern-day slavery is alive and well in the United States, and it is ruining the lives of our women and children!

We have an immense problem that requires an even bigger solution. The symbol of our American flag declares that modern day slavery is not welcome; and freedom is every human being’s right. But this freedom will not become a reality for victims until we – the advocates – realize what our work is not about:

It's NOT about one organization. It's NOT about one gender. It's NOT even about shoes. It's ALL about THE REVOLT!

Revolt: (v.) to fight, to rise up against the injustice of commercial sexual exploitation of women and children.

As the CEO of Shoe Revolt, I am asking both men and women across the United States to join the revolt. Our new web site is filled with a wealth of information to get you started including: educational information about the issue for men and teens, lists of current programs in each state, and opportunities to donate shoes from your closet to create your own online rummage sale to help raise money, and the ability to assign shoe dollars to the program of your choice.

It is extremely exciting to see advocates release their purchasing power to create change through shoes. Whether you choose to sell shoes from your closet or buy new or recycled shoes to add to your shoe closet, either way you can help provide needed funds to support existing programs and even create new programs.

For that, I am sincerely grateful.

Ateba