Debbie Lassiter, a software specialist for U.S. Bank in the Milwaukee
area, has been named one of the “Heroes of the 500” by Fortune magazine.
On the Heroes of the FORTUNE 500, Catherine Dunn writes: "We found more
than 50 people who have performed extraordinary acts of bravery,
charity, ingenuity, or selflessness—transforming their communities (and
often the lives of total strangers) in the process. Also, they just
happen to work for the biggest companies in America."
Lassiter was nominated for her tireless work for victims of sex
trafficking via the Convergence Resource Center (CRC), a not-for-profit,
501(c)(3) faith-based, community service organization, which she
co-founded in 2004 in Milwaukee.
The group’s initial focus was to assist incarcerated women with
rebuilding their lives. “While listening to the women tell us their
stories, we saw an intersecting point with being incarcerated for
prostitution and sex trafficking,” said Lassiter. “We realized it wasn’t
what we call voluntary prostitution – they were forced into it against
their will via violence, coercion and/or abductions. These were all for
the purpose of the sex trade. We came across women without any skills –
the kind of skills learned in high school. When they turn 17, many of
them are ‘retired’ from trafficking, and then turn to prostitution to
survive because they don’t have employment skills.”
In 2010, the CRC’s mission expanded to include girls and women who are
victims of sex trafficking. The CRC provides parenting, school supplies,
assistance with transportation (bus passes), job readiness training
including business etiquette and computer education, as well as advice
for dealing with traditional, day-to-day tasks unfamiliar to many of
these women. Assistance with substance abuse is also provided for the
women who need it. Individual and group support with mentorship is
provided. The CRC is a Trauma Informed Care Agency and is a Certified
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Educator.
Lassiter's efforts have been recognized by the U.S. Department of
Justice, United States Attorney's Office of Eastern Wisconsin with a
National Crime Victim's Rights Award -- for stellar achievement in
promoting and advancing the rights of victims.
An article about Lassiter and the other nominees can be viewed at www.fortune.com.
To learn more about the Convergence Resource Center, visit www.convergenceresource.org.
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $371 billion in assets as of March 31,
2014, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the 5th
largest commercial bank in the United States. The Company operates 3,083
banking offices in 25 states and 4,878 ATMs and provides a comprehensive
line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and
payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions.
Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2014