Organization Suspends Senior Center, Classes, Groups and In-Person Services

The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) has decided to close all of its offices in Greater Boston, Lowell and Framingham to the public due to concerns over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic until March 30, 2020. The organization will reassess the situation as the current health emergency progresses and determine when to resume normal operations.

A limited number of MAPS staff will continue to work in the office as long as possible, while the rest of the staff is being encouraged to work from home. All clients with appointments scheduled for this period will be contacted for a telephone consultation and, when needed, follow-up appointments will be scheduled for a future date. The organization will continue to offer assistance to clients seeking information or referrals via the telephone or social media.

The MAPS Senior Center in Cambridge was suspended on March 12, and will remain closed until March 30. Meanwhile, MAPS Senior Center staff has been checking in with the seniors, making sure that they are in good physical and mental health during this time.

The organization has also decided to suspend its Driver Alcohol Education classes, as well as Intimate Partner Abuse Educational Program meetings, support groups for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and the weekly HIV/ STI Clinics, until March 30.

“We ask that our clients are patient and understanding during this challenging period,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director. “Our main concern is the safety of our community, our clients and our staff, and we need to follow the guidelines and limit social interaction as much as possible. We hope to be able to resume normal operations by March 30, but we will have to assess the situation as it develops. We encourage all of our community members to stay safe, limit interactions and stay home as much as possible, and to reach out to their doctor if they begin exhibiting symptoms.”

MAPS can be reached in Cambridge (617-864-7600), Somerville (617-764-2091), Brighton (617-787-0557), Dorchester (617-825-5897), Framingham (508-872-2652) and Lowell (978-970-1250) or via messages on social media at facebook.com/maps.org.