Mothers who are affected by trafficking or sex work are mothers first, and with their children are families. But these families experience some of the most challenging and humiliating situations in the world, including physical and sexual abuse, unmet physical and mental health needs that often result in preventable deaths, economic exploitation, discrimination and stigma from healthcare providers, and barriers to quality healthcare. These situations are unjust and unacceptable.
MATERPAX
Our Perspective
Mothers who are affected by trafficking or sex work are mothers first, and with their children are families. But these families experience some of the most challenging and humiliating situations in the world, including physical and sexual abuse, unmet physical and mental health needs that often result in preventable deaths, economic exploitation, discrimination and stigma from healthcare providers, and barriers to quality healthcare. These situations are unjust and unacceptable.
MaterPax has a unique perspective in that we address the needs of these families, from their immediate needs to the long-term solution of self-sufficiency and the dignity they deserve, and breaking the inter-generational chain of exploitation.
To achieve our vision and fulfill our mission we partner with Catholic hospitals and organizations to provide maternal and child healthcare, nutrition, shelter, education, economic self-sufficiency, and spiritual support to these families.
Click here to read a Letter of Introduction to MaterPax from Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, the Archbishop of Portland in Oregon. (If you are unable to view the letter, disable any pop-up blockers on this page.)
Mission
Our mission is to partner with Catholic hospitals and organizations to provide healthcare, shelter, education, economic self-sufficiency, and spiritual support, to sexually exploited girls, mothers in prostitution, and their children.
Vision
Our vision is that families affected by sexual exploitation and sex work are supported physically, mentally, and spiritually in order to achieve the freedom they deserve.
What We Do
Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health
Pregnant teens and mothers need quality maternal healthcare to survive pregnancy and childbirth. We are partnering with Catholic hospitals to provide this care.
Nutrition
Malnutrition is the leading cause of death among children of sex workers. We work with local Catholic organizations to provide food to pregnant teens and women and their children.
Education
Education is the key to breaking the cycle of intergenerational sexual exploitation. We are working with Catholic schools to provide this most important foundation for a better life.
Safe Shelter
Pregnant teens and women need safe shelter, out of brothels. We are working with local Catholic organizations to provide secure housing for these at-risk families.
Economic Self-Sufficiency
Economic empowerment is the long-term solution to providing freedom and dignity to these mothers and their children.
How to Help
Donate
The following donation methods are available:
We are seeking dedicated volunteers to support our work. Please contact us for more information.
Scan from your banking app to
donate via Zelle®
You can also mail a check, payable to
MaterPax Global Maternal and Child Health Mission
to:
MaterPax
818 SE 112th Ave
Portland OR 97216
We are in the process of gaining our tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service and have been assured by our legal specialist that we can expect to gain our 501(c)(3) status retroactive to the date of incorporation. You may take a tax deduction for your contribution to the full extent allowed by law. We will notify you if the IRS does not grant us retroactive tax-exempt status. EIN: 41-3313137
Read entire donor letter here.
our board
Who We Are
Brian Willis
Founder / Director
Brian is a parishioner at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. He has been working since 2002 to address the unmet needs of trafficked teens and mothers. In Portland, he launched “Our Mother’s House”, the first drop-in center for mothers who were trafficked or in sex work.
In Uganda, Brian partners with the Canossian Daughters of Charity, who provide care to pregnant girls who have been trafficked and poor mothers in sex work. He also built a partnership with St. John the Baptist Catholic School and two other Catholic schools where daughters of sex workers receive an education.
Kristin Russo
Secretary
Kristin Russo brings experience in communications, marketing, and nonprofit leadership to MaterPax. A Portland native and mother of two, she is committed to advancing the health and dignity of women and children.
Kristin began her career in digital marketing, managing national accounts for brands including Quaker Oats, Visa, and Dole Foods, and later served as an Account Director at Razorfish working with clients such as MillerCoors and Best Buy. She also brings nonprofit board experience from her service with Mother and Child Education Center, an Oregon nonprofit dedicated to supporting mothers and children through education and community programs.
Teri Sykes
Board Treasurer
Teri Sykes holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oregon State University and brings decades of leadership and organizational experience to her work. She is the retired president of Airport Drayage Co. and a mother of three daughters, who now run the family business. Teri is a longtime parishioner at Christ the King Catholic Church and has been actively involved in faith-based and pro-life advocacy, including a long association with Oregon Right to Life. She has also served as a board member of StandUpGirl.com, supporting women and families through compassionate outreach and education.
Lyndsey Roos
Program Manager
Lyndsey Roos is an English language teacher based in Portland, Oregon. She studied Philosophy at Willamette University in Salem, OR before earning a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from Portland State University. An avid language learner, she previously studied French abroad in Angers, France. She has also lived and taught English in Bali, Indonesia.
As a child, her family instilled in her the values of education and service to others through their work in her small hometown of Port Angeles, WA. She is a passionate advocate for community activism, education equity, and looks forward to learning more about non-profit work while helping MaterPax grow and develop.
Our Patron Saints
Saint Josephine Bakhita
Saint Peter Claver
MaterPax provides health and spiritual support to families who are affected by sexual exploitation and sex work so they can experience the dignity they deserve.