On Thursday, May 12, 2016 Heidi Search Center is presenting a screening of The Cantinera at the Alamo Draft House Cinema Marketplace located at  618 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX.  The event will begin at 6pm with the film screening followed by a panel discussion led by Dottie Laster, Executive Director of Heidi Search Center who is featured in the film.

The screening and panel discussion is open to the public and proceeds will benefit Heidi Search Center who is looking for 300 people to commit to a $20 per month recurring donation. For $20 per month the donation will assist in meeting budget needs and enable the center to continue to serve the families of missing persons. A special thank you to Ohlrich Law Firm for their sponsorship of this event.

Seating is limited and tickets need to be purchased in advance at HeidiSearchCenter.Com

The Cantinera captures the essence of trafficking for sex in the gritty bars and hidden back rooms in Houston’s cantinas. It takes viewers into the secret life, along with a group of advocates who fearlessly tread into dangerous situations looking for victims and offering help.

Additionally, the film records the true story of one cantinera who was brought into the life by her mother at 13, how she lived for 23 years drinking 30 beers a night, and how she longs for sobriety and a second chance.

Heidi Search Center prevents human trafficking

With the help of Dottie Laster’s expertise in combatting human trafficking, the center has been able to step in and prevent several missing youth from becoming victims of human trafficking by finding them early and returning them to their families along with referrals to specialized resources when needed.

Heidi Search Center has been on the cutting edge providing up to date resources, including the new Digital DNA kit which is devised to immediately conduct searches for individuals who are connecting with others online. The Digital DNA kit is a free download from their website and available to everyone.

Heidi Search Center was established in August, 1990, following the abduction of 11-year-old Heidi Lynn Seeman. She disappeared from her Northeast San Antonio neighborhood on August 4, while walking home from a friend’s house. The non-profit organization provides community resources and aids law enforcement with search efforts, provides advocacy, and referrals.

By providing educational programs, referrals, advocacy, and assisting law enforcement in search efforts for missing children and adults in San Antonio, Texas and beyond, Heidi Search Center continues to work towards their mission.

Heidi Search Center in need of donations

In order to keep the doors open at Heidi Search Center they are in dire need of funding.

Executive Director, Dottie Laster says, “We’ve received generous contributions from individuals for which we are grateful, but we must have a large influx of funds to be able to continue our mission. Our operating expenses have been cut as far as we can go, but the need for services from Heidi Search Center continues to increase.”

If unable to attend the screening, to make a donation please contact Heidi Search Center, 4115 Naco Perrin Blvd., San Antonio, TX, 78217 or call 210-650-0428. Donations can also be made through their website HeidiSearchCenter.Com

Who is Dottie Laster?

Dottie Laster spent the last 13 years in the effort of the anti-human trafficking movement nationally and in her home state of Texas. She is the co-founder of the San Antonio, Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking and the past Administrator of the Orange County, California Human Trafficking Task Force and has successfully written millions in grants to assist children and victims of human trafficking.

Along with her position as Executive Director at Heidi Search Center, Laster is the Anti-Trafficking Coordinator with the Bernardo Kohler Center as an accredited representative recognized by the Bureau of Immigration Appeals to practice immigration law under BKC.

Laster is featured in the documentary on sex trafficking in Latin bars and cantinas, The Cantinera, and her direct rescue work is the subject of the MSNBC Documentary, Sex Slaves: Texas Rescue. She is the recipient of several human rights awards and has been featured in numerous publications including recent issues of Texas Monthly, Town Hall, and MORE Magazine.

To bring Dottie Laster to your community or event, please contact ImaginePublicity, Tel: 843-808-0859 or Email: contact@imaginepublicity.com