The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020 with a special fundraising gala in April which will highlight the health and social services organization’s rich history by honoring a group of more than 50 individuals who were instrumental in its creation, development and expansion. The black-tie, entertainment-filled event will take place at the Boston Marriott Hotel in Cambridge on April 25, 2020, and will also highlight some of MAPS’ main achievements ever the past half-century, divided by decade.
For the 1970’s, MAPS will highlight its origins as two separate organizations – the Cambridge Organization of Portuguese Americans (COPA), founded in 1970; and the Somerville Portuguese American League (SPAL), created in 1973. The individuals to be recognized for their contributions during the 1970’s include the founders and staff members of the two organizations, public officials, and key volunteers and contributors: Manuel Amaral; Jose Bairos; Duke 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; Mayor Alfred Vellucci (deceased); and Caetano S. Vital.
To remember the 1980’s, MAPS will tell the story of community building and the creation of the HIV/ STI Prevention and Screening Program at SPAL, which at the time caused some very heated discussions in the community, 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 1990’s marks the official merger of COPA and SPAL to create MAPS, and the expansion into Lowell. For this decade, the organization will honor Adir Baldelim, Jorge Cardoso, Victor DoCouto, 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 2000’s, MAPS saw a significant growth of its Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault and other programs, as well as expansion 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 2010’s, MAPS benefitted from a significant increase in community involvement and philanthropy. MAPS will honor key community and business leaders for their generous financial support of the organization, and for their leadership in promoting and helping put together several fundraising events: Eusebio Arruda, Mark Cafua, Duke Carvalho, Mary Cassesso, Joe Cerqueira, Philip Chaves, Salvi Couto, Sal Couto, John B. Cruz, Somerville Mayor Joe 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.
The MAPS 50th 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.
The event is sponsored at the Platinum level by Naveo Credit Union and the Joe & Dorothy Chaves Foundation.
Accutronics, Inc., East Cambridge Savings Bank and Emerald Waterways are Gold sponsors.
The Cambridge Health Alliance is sponsoring the 50th Anniversary gala at the Silver level, along with M.S. Walker who will be provide fine Portuguese wines to be served complimentary with dinner.
The Bronze level sponsors are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cabot Risk Strategies, LLC; Cambridge Printing Company; Cruz Companies; Eastern Bank; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Globo Travel and LATAM Airlines; Rocco’s Restaurant and Bar; S&F Concrete; and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
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/gala2020. Reservations can also be made online, or via the phone at the same contacts listed above.