The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) has recently promoted Alessandra Fisher, MA, to Director of Immigrant Integration and Elder Services.

In this new role, Fisher is responsible for supervising MAPS caseworkers who provide advocacy, case management, and direct services to thousands of community members each year in areas such as social services; health insurance enrollment; housing, nutritional, and fuel assistance; employment and career development; immigration and citizenship applications; and much more. MAPS caseworkers also offer referrals to other community services such as ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), financial literacy, mental health support, Portuguese-speaking legal services, and more.

Born and raised in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Fisher moved to the United States in 2001 and joined MAPS in 2011. Over the past 12 years, she held many crucial positions at the health and social services organization, including Community Health Educator, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Advocate, Immigrant Integration Services Caseworker, and Lowell Office Manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UMass Boston and a master’s degree in Theater Education from Emerson College.

“As a Brazilian-American woman, I feel truly empowered and honored to take on this new role,” said Fisher. I am thankful to the MAPS leadership for their vote of confidence, and I look forward to working with them and our staff to continue to bring these essential services to our communities.”

As the new Director of IIS and Elder Services, Fisher will also supervise the MAPS weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics and the Intimate Partner Abuse Educational Program.

“We are extremely proud of Alessandra for her outstanding dedication to MAPS and our communities and are thrilled that she is taking on this new challenge,” said MAPS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Paulo Pinto, MPA. “Alessandra’s career at MAPS and deep understanding of our communities have given her the tools to succeed in leading these crucial programs that serve thousands of community members each year,” added MAPS Chief Program Officer (CPO), Alirio Pereira, MA.