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The post Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers honors 3 individuals, raises $232,000 at gala first appeared on Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers.

The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) raised a record $232,000 at its 2024 Awards Gala on Saturday, April 20, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge. The glamorous community celebration honored three inspiring award recipients and included cultural entertainment, a red-carpet reception, an online auction, a banquet, and dancing during the after-party.

MAPS presented its 2024 Person of the Year Award to Eastern Bank Chair and CEO Robert F. Rivers, who was honored for his 40-year career in banking, for his generous funding and support for hundreds of community organizations in Massachusetts over the years through the Eastern Bank Foundation, and for his unwavering commitment to social justice causes, diversity, equity, and inclusion as the leader of New England’s largest private banking institution.

Addressing the audience of more than 400 community and nonprofit leaders, business owners, public officials, and many others, Rivers, who is a quarter Portuguese, thanked MAPS for the recognition and for motivating him to research his Portuguese roots further.

“Tonight is truly a special evening in ways like none other,” said Rivers, who was introduced to the stage by MAPS CEO Paulo Pinto, MPA, and MAPS Board President Antonio Massa Viana, Esq. “I greatly appreciate you joining us in celebrating MAPS’ great work on behalf of so many, and I am extremely grateful to MAPS for the motivation to learn these insights regarding my Portuguese heritage and for a better understanding and appreciation for the bonds that many of us share here this evening.”

Brazilian-American Lenita Reason was honored with the 2024 MAPS Jorge Fidalgo Community Service Award in recognition of her leadership of the Brazilian Worker Center, an immigrant and community-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the rights of immigrant workers, as its Executive Director, and for her leading advocacy for the passage of the Working Families Mobility Act as Co-Chair of the Driving Families Forward. After a joint 20-year effort that culminated with the law’s approval in November of 2023, all Massachusetts residents can now apply for a driver’s license, regardless of immigration status. Reason was welcomed to the stage by Nelson Fidalgo Barros, nephew of the late Jorge Fidalgo.

“Thank you very much to Paulo Pinto and the MAPS Board for recognizing the work that I did, not because I wanted to get something out of it, but because I knew what it was like to live and work in this country without a driver’s license,” said Reason. “The driver’s license campaign was a priority for us, but there is still much work to do, so I am very grateful to my team. We did believe, from day one, that this would be possible.”

Cabo-Verdean-American Tony DaRocha was introduced by Barbara Coutinho, daughter of the late Manuel N. Coutinho, who presented him with the 2024 MAPS Manuel N. Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award. With a notable decades-long career as an educator in the Boston public school system, DaRocha was recognized especially for his volunteer work with the Boston United Track & Cross-Country Club, a nonprofit organization that he co-founded in 2011 to provide year-round training free of charge to young athletes in the Boston area, including many immigrant children and teenagers, helping them achieve success both academically and athletically. DaRocha also works as a volunteer coach and recruiter for the Cabo Verde Olympic Committee, having mentored Olympians such as Ruben Sança, who competed for Cabo Verde in the 2012 Olympics in London.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to receive this award,” said DaRocha. “My two sons told me when they were younger, ‘Dad, we know that from September to June, you have to be everyone else’s father, but you’re always our dad.’ I also want to thank my father, José DaRocha, who is here today, for instilling such a strong work ethic in me. I just want to continue helping as many folks as I can because folks helped me.”

During the MAPS CEO remarks, Paulo Pinto thanked all the staff, Board members, business sponsors, media sponsors, advertisers, donors, guests, and entertainers who contributed to the success of MAPS’ record-breaking Gala and compared immigrants’ challenging journey from their countries of origin to the U.S. to the rise and fall of the tides.

“It is a journey filled with challenges, uncertainties, and an unfamiliar landscape, yet it is also filled with hope, potential, and the promise of a better tomorrow,” said Pinto. “At MAPS, we have made it our mission for the past 54 years to be the guiding light for immigrants and their families as they embark on this life-changing voyage. We believe in not only helping them adapt to their new surroundings but also empowering them to build healthy, fulfilling lives and contribute to the make-up of our diverse and vibrant communities.”

Pinto called on MAPS staff to join him on stage as he thanked them for their tireless efforts leading up to the Gala and throughout the year serving tens of thousands of community members, and presented MAPS Director of Development Lois Josimovich with a special bouquet in recognition of her decades-long career at MAPS. Josimovich will be retiring at the end of June of 2024 after 35 years as a vital member of the MAPS executive team in the Development and Communications departments.

The MAPS 2024 Awards Gala was again sponsored at the highest Diamond level by Dunkin’ franchisees, the Couto, Cafua, Sardinha, and Serpa families. For the first time, the event was sponsored by a second Diamond sponsor, Eastern Bank.

Representing the group of Dunkin’ sponsors, Salvi Couto, President of Couto Management Group, took to the stage to present the Diamond Sponsor Greetings.

“Like Dunkin’, MAPS is part of the fabric of our community at large,” said Couto. “Just like you can count on Dunkin’ for a fast and delicious meal and that tasty cup of coffee when you need it most, Portuguese-speaking immigrants and their families can trust MAPS for the services and support they need to resolve critical issues and move forward.”

Gala guests also had the opportunity to hear from Emerald sponsors Mark Chaves, co-founder of the Joe & Dorothy Chaves Foundation, and Andrea White, President and CEO of Naveo Credit Union. Luis Pedroso, CEO of Emerald Sponsor Zorean Inc., could not attend but was represented by his family.

The fundraising event was also sponsored by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, East Cambridge Savings Bank, the Trefethen Family (Gold sponsors); Fish Family Foundation, Globo Travel in partnership with Copa Airlines (Silver sponsors); and Bronze sponsors Marjie and Philip’s Advisors Living, Auxzillium IT Services and Solutions, Cambridge Printing Company, Coelho Realty Group, J&F Construction, Massa Viana Law, Metalstone Technologies, M.S Walker partnering with Dona Maria Wines, Point32 Health, and S&F Concrete.

Following the cocktail reception, the distinguished guests were welcomed to the Royal Sonesta’s glamorous ballroom by the beautiful sounds of the Portuguese concertina, performed by local group Concertinas do Norte, and greeted by the evening’s co-hosts, State Representative Priscila Sousa and Cambridge City Councillor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler. After the delicious banquet, Cambridge-based dance school Moves N’ Vibes entertained the crowd with a stunning dance performance of Brazilian, Cabo Verdean, and Portuguese songs. Following the Awards ceremony, guests took to the dance floor at the Gala’s after-party, with DJ Lopes spinning the records.

The Gala Online auction contributed significantly to the evening’s successful fundraising efforts, thanks to its many exciting items and experiences generously donated by Casa Portugal Restaurant, Chef Ana Ortins, Cissy Coutinho, M.S. Walker and Dona Maria Wines, Kyocera, Lynda Paris, Muqueca Restaurant, New England Revolution, Oak Bistro Restaurant, Red Sox Foundation, Royal Sonesta Hotel, Washington Ramos, Wegman’s, and others.

MAPS has served the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts and others since 1970. The organization offers free health and social services through its seven offices in Cambridge, Somerville, Brighton, Dorchester, Framingham, Lowell, and soon, Everett.

The post MAPS 2024 Awards Gala Raises a Record $232K, Honors Three Outstanding Community Leaders first appeared on Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers.

MAPS mourns the passing of past Board President and long-term supporter Dr. Caetano Valadão Serpa on April 10, 2024. 

Dr. Valadão transitioned to spirit at his home in Arlington, Massachusetts, USA, surrounded by family. Born on the beautiful island of Flores in the Azores, Portugal, he earned a doctorate from Gregorian University and a Master’s degree in Theology, Ethics, and Counseling from Lateranense University, both in Italy. In the USA, he specialized in Conflict Mediation Techniques at Harvard University and Counseling Psychology at Lesley University.

His professional life included teaching at the Seminário Maior of Angra do Heroísmo and Seminário Colégio Ponta Delgada before immigrating to the USA in 1971. Here, he was a counselor at Cambridge Public Schools, a practicum supervisor at Lesley and Harvard Universities, and a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Boston, from which he retired in 2019.

His contributions extended beyond academia. He played a pivotal role as president of the organizing committee of the first Congress of Portuguese in America and as the president of the Board of Directors of COPA (now MAPS, Massachusetts Alliance for Portuguese Speakers), which engages in various impactful community initiatives and services.

He was a prolific writer, regularly contributing to Portuguese newspapers in the USA and Portugal. He authored several books, including A Gente dos Açores: Imigração e Religiosidade (1976), one of the first three Portuguese books selected by the US Library of Congress for translation into Braille.

He was married to Dr. Maria de Lourdes B. Serpa for fifty years. His loving family also includes his precious daughter Cristina Serpa Roof, son-in-law Bryan Roof, and his beloved grandchildren, Nolan, Layla, and Tanner.

After retirement, he highly treasured his life as a father and grandfather (Vovô). He loved going for swims, reading, writing, and taking walks. He was a family man, often spending time with his grandchildren and telling funny stories about his childhood that would always make everyone around him laugh. Tanner wrote, “Vovô was a great man, always having a special place in our hearts, lost but never forgotten.”

A memorial service with Mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge St, Winchester, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorials be directed to MAPS.

Donations to the newly-created Dr. Caetano Valadão Serpa Fund can be made online using the button below. Please select the Dr. Caetano Valadão Serpa Fund from the dropdown menu.

The post MAPS Mourns the Passing of Dr. Valadão Serpa: January 24, 1936 – April 10, 2024 first appeared on Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers.

Required: High School diploma, excellent oral, written and computer skills; bilingual/bicultural in Portuguese/English.

Starting salary range: Commensurable with experience, $22.00 $25.00//hour

To apply for this position, please send resume and cover letter to:

MAPS HR Office

1046 Cambridge St.

Cambridge, MA 02139

E-mail: jobs@maps-inc.org

Affirmative Action/ EEO

The post Office Assistant/ Brighton Office Part-Time (25 hours/week) 12:00pm-5:00pm first appeared on Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers.

Preferred: Experience with office and clerical support preferred.

Required: High School diploma, excellent communications, and computer skills. Bilingual/Bicultural in Portuguese/ English/ Cape Verdean Creole a plus. Starting annual salary commensurable with experience: $40,000-$45,000.

To apply for this position, please send resume and cover letter to:

MAPS Personnel Office

1046 Cambridge St.

Cambridge, MA 02139

E-mail: jobs@maps-inc.org

Affirmative Action/EOE

The post Receptionist/ Office Assistant/ Everett/ Full-Time (35 h/ week) first appeared on Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers.

The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is marking this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April with a series of conversations in the community and online about the importance of consent in sexual relationships.

On April 1, MAPS launched an online survey to assess the community’s understanding of consent and healthy relationships by examining how societal norms, religious beliefs, and cultural traditions shape our practices. Participants can anonymously share their insights and experiences throughout the month by visiting maps-inc.org/dvsa.

On April 11, at 8:30 pm, MAPS will participate in a live Facebook chat organized by the Brazilian Women’s Group about “Asking and Giving Consent: How Family Beliefs and Tradition Shape Our Relationships.” Community members interested in watching and participating may do so by visiting facebook.com/BrazilianWomensGroup.

The following day, from 4 to 6 pm, MAPS receives a group of Cabo Verdean women in its Dorchester Office (1 Stoughton Street) to share a traditional Cabo Verdean cuscus meal and engage in a discussion about consent and modern perspectives of cultural heritage.

To wrap up the month’s activities, the MAPS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA) team will host an open discussion about consent and how it is viewed across different generations on April 26 at 5:30 pm at the health and social services organization’s Cambridge office on 1046 Cambridge St. The event aims to be a platform for multigenerational dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding of consent within the community.

“By promoting conversations about consent and what it means to be in a healthy relationship, we hope to challenge our communities to reflect on the concept and consider how it has evolved,” said Dulce Ferreira, MA, MAPS Director of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. “It is vital that we keep reminding people of the need to ask for and give consent when it comes to sexual activities, even in the context of long-term relationships.”

Before April’s activities, the MAPS DVSA team delivered an impactful presentation about sexual assault on March 16 at the ABBA Church in Marlborough that led to an engaging discussion.

The MAPS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program offers free, confidential, and personalized support, crisis intervention, safety planning, information, guided referrals, medical and legal advocacy, and related services to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. The program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA; VSS Grant), the Executive Office of Public Safety (VAWA Grant), the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (SASP/CSP Grant), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. To learn more about the program, please visit maps-inc.org/dvsa.

The post MAPS Highlights Importance of Consent During Sexual Assault Awareness Month first appeared on Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or an equivalent experience in a related field.

• Three years’ work experience in sexual and domestic violence, and gender-based violence advocacy.

• Bi-lingual/multi-lingual in Portuguese/English and Cabo-Verdean Creole. Culturally competent to serve the Portuguese-speaking communities.

• Demonstrated ability to work with people from varied backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and abilities.

• Knowledgeable about causes of violence rooted in racism and oppression as connected to sexual and domestic violence.

• Demonstrated understanding of project development, project implementation and monitoring/evaluation.

• Ability to speak in public and conduct presentations about domestic violence and sexual assault.

• Ability to work independently and complete tasks in a timely manner without direct dayto-day supervision.

• Proficient with data collection systems, computer systems, internet technology, and software, including the Google platform and Microsoft programs. Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Program Director to develop materials and curricula which may be used in education/prevention.

• Work with the Program Director and the CPO to develop and implement activities based on the goals and objectives of current funding sources, and complete required reports.

• Conduct weekly community outreach at businesses, festivals, and other community locations/events,

• Prepare and conduct presentations to educate community members about domestic violence and sexual assault.

• Collaborate and help the Communication Department to organize promotional campaign that involves ethnic and social media, as well as other program materials to reach out the Portuguese-speaking communities throughout Massachusetts.

• Strengthen and build new partnerships with agencies working to end sexual and domestic violence.

• Participate in on-going training and updates in DV/SA prevention work.

Starting annual salary range commensurable with experience: $52.000-$58.000.

To apply for this position, please send resume and cover letter to:

MAPS HR Office

1046 Cambridge St.

Cambridge, MA 02139

E-mail: jobs@maps-inc.org

Affirmative Action/EOE

The post Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention Specialist Full-Time (minimum 35 hours per week) first appeared on Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers.

The post MAPS 2024 Award vai homenagear quem fez a diferença na comunidade de língua portuguesa em Massachusetts first appeared on Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Proposals

• Researches, prepares, files and monitors foundation, corporate and government funding proposals. Prepares, monitors, and reports on annual MAPS development plan.
• Works with the Chief Program Officer and program directors in developing proposal goals and objectives. Consults with Chief Financial Officer and others regarding budgets and financial documents.
• Continually identifies and pursues new potential sources of funding.

Fundraising Events

• Coordinates fundraising events and initiatives, including the Annual Awards Gala, the annual Chip in for Charity Golf Tournament, the Annual Holiday Appeal direct mailing campaign, and other development activities.

Databases

• Guides the Development Assistant and works with other staff in organizing and maintaining the fundraising/ general mailing database.
• Works with the Executive Team, as well as the Development Assistant, to monitor the MAPS Client Database and address technical glitches, incorrect data entry, etc., that hinder users’ ability to retrieve data needed to support fundraising, grant writing and other efforts.

Staff Supervision

• Supervises the Development Assistant and volunteers.

Donor Relationships

• Works with the CEO and other key MAPS staff to maintain and advance funder and donor relationships.

Strategic Planning

Works with the CEO in developing program and organizational
strategies, as well as the long-term Strategic Plan.

Other

• Provides development-related content to the Communications Director to help publicize agency fundraising campaigns and events on the MAPS website, social media, and other key platforms. From time to time, also posts/ edit content on these platforms.
• Reviews and edits selected MAPS materials and performs other general administrative tasks.
• Performs other duties that may be required, including representing MAPS to the community and funders.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, or related field.

Experience: Three to five years’ experience in grant-writing, fundraising, membership development and/ or event coordination.

Special Skills: Must have strong English written communications skills, knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat and other key software including relational databases. Must be detail conscious, well organized, and able to handle multiple tasks as well as to meet deadlines.

Starting annual salary range commensurable with experience and education: $75,000-$90,000, plus excellent benefit package.

To apply for this position, please send resume and cover letter to:

MAPS Personnel Office
1046 Cambridge St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
E-mail: jobs@maps-inc.org
or via fax to 617-864-7621

The post Director of Development/ Full-Time (min. 35 h/ week) first appeared on Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers.