The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) invites the community to join its 50+1 Anniversary Gala on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at the Boston Marriott Cambridge Hotel, in Cambridge, MA. The celebration will honor the “Builders of MAPS” — a group of more than 70 people who were fundamental in the creation, development, and expansion of MAPS in the last half-century.
For the 1970s, MAPS will highlight its start as two organizations – the Cambridge Organization of Portuguese Americans (COPA), founded in 1970, and the Somerville Portuguese American League (SPAL), created in 1973. The honorees include the founders and staff members of both organizations, public officials, volunteers, and contributors: Manuel Amaral (deceased); Jose Bairos; Duarte Carvalho; José Chaves (deceased); Dorothea Clinton (deceased); Josh Coburn; Maria Angelina Costa; Victor Do Couto; Tony de Castro; Hermano de Mello; John Feitor (deceased); Zelia Pacheco Kelleher; Fernando Lopes (deceased); José Luis (Mr. COPA) (deceased); Maria Manuel Moreira; Albert Pacheco; Carmen Pacheco-Medeiros; Robert (Bob) Perry; Rosa-Maria Cardoso Pinto; Mary Roderick (deceased); Manny Rogers; Margaret C. Serpa; Valadão Serpa; Aurélio Torres; Maria Torres; Cambridge Mayor Alfred Vellucci (deceased); and Caetano S. Vital.
To remember the 1980s, MAPS will tell the story of community building and the creation of the HIV/ STI Prevention and Screening Program at SPAL, and the opening of the organization to the growing Brazilian and Cabo Verdean communities. The organization will honor the impactful contributions of Albano Ponte; António Cardoso; António Couto (deceased); Belmira Cordeiro; Manuel Coutinho (deceased); António Fontes (deceased); Mario Furtado (deceased); Mary Ghioni; Luisa Gonçalves (deceased); João Soares; and Julia Story.
The 1990s marks the official merger of COPA and SPAL to create MAPS, and the expansion into Lowell. The organization will honor Adir Baldelim; Jorge Cardoso; Victor Do Couto; John Dreyer; Mary Ann Lomba; Adélia Furtado Lopes (deceased); Célia Maciel; Glenn Mello; Lucieny Passamani; Luís Pedroso; Stephen Pereira; Elisia and Mark Saab; and Ligia Taylor (deceased).
In the 2000s, MAPS saw a significant growth of its Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault and other programs and expanded into Dorchester and Framingham. MAPS will honor the following former staff members, program directors, community leaders, and public officials for their contributions to this expansion: Michael Coelho; Carlos A. F. da Silva; Norberto Felix; Alvaro Lima; Isaac Machado; Ana Nava; Osvalda Rodrigues; Josefina Silva; Denise Speziale; Cambridge City Councillor Tim Toomey; and Joe Vasconcelos.
During the 2010s, MAPS benefited from a significant increase in community involvement and philanthropy. The organization will honor community and business leaders for their generous financial support and leadership in promoting and helping organize several fundraising events: Eusebio Arruda; Mark Cafua; Duarte Carvalho; Mary Cassesso; Joe Cerqueira; Philip Chaves; Salvi Couto; Sal Couto; John B. Cruz; Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone; Rui Domingos; Paul Ferreira; Antonio Frias; Tony Lafuente; Milena Mello; Gilda Nogueira; Angela and Daniel Rao; Arthur Rodrigues; Fernando Sardinha; Dinart Serpa; Manny Silva; and Walter Sousa.
“It is my great privilege to serve as president of the MAPS Board of Directors during this important milestone,” said Susan Pacheco. “Our 50+1 Anniversary Gala will be a wonderful celebration of some of the many people who, through their passion and dedication to our communities, allowed MAPS to grow and become the great organization it is today.”
“MAPS’ history is also the history of how our immigrant communities in Massachusetts came together more than half a century ago to help each other succeed in a new country,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director. “We are looking forward to highlighting that important history as we come together to raise crucial funds that will allow MAPS to continue its mission for many more years.”
The MAPS 50+1 Anniversary Gala is proudly presented at the Diamond sponsorship level by a group of Dunkin’ franchise owners – the Cafua, Carvalho, Couto, Rodrigues, Sardinha, and Serpa families.
Naveo Credit Union and the Joe & Dorothy Chaves Foundation sponsor the Gala at the Platinum level, while Accutronics, Inc. and the East Cambridge Savings Bank are Gold sponsors.
The Cambridge Health Alliance is sponsoring the 50+1 Anniversary gala at the Silver level, along with M.S. Walker who will provide complimentary fine Portuguese wines to be served with dinner.
The Bronze level sponsors are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cabot Risk Strategies, LLC; Cambridge Printing Company; Cruz Companies; Eastern Bank; Rocco’s Restaurant and Bar; and S&F Concrete.
MAPS is seeking additional support from potential sponsors, Program Book advertisers, and auction donors. Individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in supporting the organization are encouraged to contact Andrew Carten, Development Manager, at (617) 864-7600 or download the sponsorship and advertisement forms at www.maps-inc.org/gala2021. Reservations can also be made online or by telephone at the contacts listed above.