The MAPS Annual Community Awards Gala

Annual Gala Summary

Since 1994, MAPS has been privileged each year to honor a select group of individuals who have made major contributions to the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts. The awards are presented at the Annual Community Awards Gala, held every spring somewhere in the MAPS service area. The Awards Gala is MAPS' largest annual fundraising event, supporting all of our programs and services. It also gives us a chance to honor and thank those people who help make our work possible and who provide role models for our community members to follow. There are four award categories:

Jorge Fidalgo Community Service Awards

Mary & Manuel Rogers Lifetime Community Service Award

Manuel N. Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award

Person of the Year Award

Awards Details

Jorge Fidalgo Community Service Awards
The MAPS Jorge Fidalgo Community Service Awards are presented annually to those individuals who have demonstrated by their actions a strong commitment to the social, educational, cultural and political welfare of the various Portuguese-speaking communities in the Greater Boston area. By honoring these individuals, we hope to inspire others towards more active participation in the life of our communities. In 2001, the year of his untimely death, MAPS Board of Directors voted to name the annual Community Service Awards in honor of Jorge Fidalgo, a distinguished member of Boston's Cape Verdean community. Back to top.

Mary & Manuel Rogers Lifetime Community Service Award
The Mary & Manuel Rogers Lifetime Community Service Award is presented to the individual who best exemplifies the spirit of lifetime service to the Portuguese-speaking communities that Mary & Manuel Rogers demonstrated throughout their lives. The late Mr. Rogers was a longtime Cambridge resident, owner of the Rogers Funeral Home and a steadfast community benefactor. His wife, Mary, son Manuel Rogers Jr. and their family have continued that tradition throughout their lives as well. Back to top.

Manuel N. Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award
The Manuel N. Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award is presented annually to individuals who follow the outstanding example of the late Manuel N. Coutinho, Volunteer Citizenship Teacher, in unselfishly volunteering time and energy on behalf of the Portuguese-speaking communities of eastern Massachusetts. Mr. Coutinho helped prepare Portuguese speakers and other immigrants for American citizenship at MAPS from 1969 until 2002, as well as volunteering for many other community groups. He visited MAPS nearly every Wednesday to teach until just a few weeks before passing away in August 2002. "Mr. C.," as we all called him, will be sorely missed. Back to top.

Person of the Year Award
The MAPS Person of the Year Award has always recognized individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to helping MAPS and the communities we serve. It is the highest honor bestowed by the agency each year. Back to top.