The MAPS 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.
Award Recipients:
2022 Recipient: Debora Guimaraes, founder of the Share Your Love Foundation
2019 Recipient: Fernanda Rocha, Founder of a support group for Brazilian mothers of autistic children
2018 Recipient: Regina Rodrigues, Volunteer, MAPS HIV/STI Services
2017 Recipient: Project Health CV, Non-Profit Medical Aid Organization
2016 Recipient: Lidia Souza, Founder, New England Community Center in Stoughton
2015 Recipient: António (Thony) Alves, Owner, Thony’s Barbershop in Roxbury
2014 Recipient: Alphonso Brown, MD, Physician at Cambridge Health Alliance, ICAN Youth Scholars Program Founder & Volunteer and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School
2013 Recipient: Maria Carvalho, LICSW, the volunteer president of the Board at the Portuguese School of Cambridge and Somerville
2013 Recipient: Nelson Augusto da Silva, A longtime volunteer with the Cabo Verdean community
2012 Recipient: Adalberto Teixeira, Deputy Director of Human Services for the City of Boston
2011 Recipient: Crisolita Pontes-Alves, Volunteer, St. Patrick’s Church of Roxbury
2010 Recipient: Alice Gomes, Family Department Specialist at the Family Nuturing Center of Massachusetts
2009 Recipient: Elisa Garibaldi, MD, Lowell Community Health Center
2008 Recipient: Celia Maciel
2007 Recipient: José Carlos Barros and José Gomes, Portuguese-language Alcoholics Anonymous Group Facilitators
2006 Recipient: Manoel De Sousa, Framingham Volunteer
2005 Recipient: Maria & José Pombeiro, Lowell Community Volunteers
2004 Recipient: Andreia Makkas, Brazilian Community Leader
2003 Recipient: Ruth Costa, MAPS Youth Program Volunteer
2002 Recipient: Gunga Tavares, Cultural Attaché, Consulate of Cape Verde in Boston
2001 Recipients: Sally Correa, Maria Alice Reis, Lowell Senior Center
2000 Recipient: Maria Valente, Owner of Portugalia Restaurant
1999 Recipient: Manuel N. Coutinho, MAPS Volunteer Citizenship Teacher