The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) recently received a grant from the Government of Portugal to support and expand the many activities of the health and social services organization’s senior center in Cambridge.
The agreement between Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MAPS for $15,616 was signed at the organization’s senior center on Wednesday, June 25, by Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS CEO, and Tiago Araújo, Consul-General of Portugal in Boston, representing the Portuguese Government.
“It is only fitting that the Portuguese government supports an organization like MAPS,” said Tiago Araújo. “Not only is MAPS an organization providing extraordinary support to the Portuguese community, but this Senior Center is crucial for our community members who have been here for many years and need the companionship and support it provides. I am thrilled to know that the Portuguese Government can support MAPS.”
“On behalf of our dear seniors, I want to thank the Portuguese Government for this generous support,” said Paulo Pinto. “These funds will allow us to sustain and expand the essential work we carry out every day to support some of our most vulnerable seniors and help them face serious issues of isolation, declining physical, emotional, and mental health, and lack of access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services.”
During the meeting, seniors shared heartfelt thanks for the life-changing support and opportunities the center provides in their daily lives.
“Before we started coming to the center, my husband was very depressed,” recalled Balbina Silva, one of the members of the center. “This place has changed our lives, and now we get to spend time socializing with our friends, participating in all the games and activities we have here, and we are much happier.”
The MAPS Cambridge Senior Center, located on the second floor of the organization’s main office on 1046 Cambridge Street, is a linguistically and culturally competent space designed to prevent isolation and promote wellness through comprehensive case management and daily social and recreational activities, including exercise classes, arts and crafts, and nutritious meals.
It currently serves nearly 70 Portuguese-speaking seniors from Portugal, Brazil, Cabo Verde, and other countries, Monday through Friday. To learn more about the center, please visit maps-inc.org/cause/elder-services.
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 located in Cambridge, Somerville, Everett, Brighton, Dorchester, Framingham, and Lowell. To learn more, visit maps-inc.org.
