Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers

CONTACT:

1046 Cambridge St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-864-7600
www.maps-inc.org

Paulo Pinto, MPA, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

MAPS is a classic example of philanthropy’s being less about rich people helping poor people, than it is about people helping themselves. Since about 1970 there had been two principal Portuguese-speaking self-help organizations, in Cambridge and Somerville, respectively. In 1993 they merged, and reached out statewide to serve Cape Verdeans, Brazilians, and all other Portuguese speakers, in all aspects of human services and cultural advancement — tens of thousands of clients directly served. MAPS has outstanding programs in citizenship training, English as a Second Language, jobs, housing, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, domestic and youth violence prevention and education, chronic disease, educational advancement, elderly care — wherever there is need or opportunity. Government agencies seek its counsel and assistance on any pertinent issue, and both MAPS and individual staff members have won awards and recognition for their excellence. The entire Portuguese-speaking community of Massachusetts should be congratulated for creating and sustaining this great expression of American philanthropy — people helping themselves, “private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of life,” and “If you see something that needs doing, do it.”

(2006: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)