STARS Founder

EleSondra "Ele" DeRomano founder of S.T.A.R.S is pictured above at the age of 6. She Is a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation (sex trafficking) who offers brutal honesty and creates an atmosphere of hope for women and girls who have been abandoned by society.

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Local and National Consultant

EleSondra "Ele" DeRomano is a motivational speaker and advocate against all forms of exploitation. Her empowering speeches reflect a strong passion and life long commitment to issues surrounding all forms of sexual exploitation.

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Presidential Lifetime Achievement

EleSondra is a 2016 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, who has committed more than 20 years of her life to service. The President's Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service is a prestigious national honor offered to outstanding citizens in recognition of sustained volunteer services. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.

Standing Together Accomplishing Real Solutions

S.T.A.R.S is a survivor-based organization dedicated to supporting and empowering young women who have experienced or are at high risk for commercial sexual exploitation (sex trafficking). STARS is located in Toledo, Ohio and offers a unique crisis prevention/intervention program with personalized case management and mentorship. Our goal is to restore hope, cultivate purpose, and revive self-worth in today's misdirected and neglected girls. READ MORE


Human Trafficking Still Exists!

Federal authorities have been focusing heavily on teen prostitution for the past year. Pimps have become more sophisticated in their recruitment and maintenance of the children they force to prostitute, moving their victims from state to state, often forcing them to work as prostitutes outside the larger cities and in small towns where police are unfamiliar with the operations of child prostitution rings. Pimps are on the prowl at arcades, malls, concerts, etc. Pimps move from city to city looking for children who are easy prey; alone, desperate and alienated. Thousands of children each year are victimized by this horrible con game. Toledo is the number four recruiting spot in the United States for under age exploitation due to its location through the interstates.. There are over 300,000 youths trafficked each year in the United States and more at risk. Our involvement in these cases includes filing police reports, accompanying children to court (against a pimp) if needed and even testifying ourselves. STARS will give them a survivor input and then direct them to services and the care they need to build the trust with responsible adults, to catch up on school credits, and we will work with their probation officers or social workers to accomplish this task. HOW TO SPOT SEX TRAFFICKED GIRLS IN PLAIN SIGHT READ MORE

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