Maura Fitzpatrick
Fundraising Specialist
Plea Children of the Street
Maura works to raise the funds needed to provide Children of the Street’s free programs and services. With almost 30 years of fundraising experience, she enjoys working with individuals, community groups, businesses, and foundations to help them learn more about child/youth sexual exploitation and how they can help keep kids safe from this crime. Children of the Street was founded in 1995, when a group of parents from the Lower Mainland united after their children were sexually exploited.
Sexual exploitation involves children/youth being manipulated into exchanging a sexual act for money, drugs, shelter, food, transportation, love, acceptance, or other needs. Victims can be of any age, gender, sexual orientation, income level, geographic location, or religion. Exploiters prey on the vulnerability of young people.Human trafficking is very commonly confused with human smuggling and is thought to be an issue that happens only in developing countries. The Rotary Club of Coquitlam Sunrise was successful in tapping into BC Gaming funds and presents a $7000 to Plea to further their work with children and youth.
