The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) has helped more than 350 families with $142,000 in emergency financial assistance since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in late March of 2020.

The funds for this third round of assistance were the result of the “Unity and Action” online fundraising campaign promoted by the organization in May of 2020, which raised $7,700, and several large donations by local organizations, government agencies, foundations, and community members: the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, the Eos Foundation in partnership with the Family Independence Initiative, the MA COVID-19 Relief Fund (through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation), United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, the Cambridge Community Foundation, the Metrowest Health Foundation, and the Joe and Dorothy Chaves Family Foundation.

The previous rounds of assistance distributed an additional $45,000, which were donated by the Fish Family Foundation and the Shapiro Foundation, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.

The health and social services organization distributed these funds to families and individuals dealing with unemployment and lack of income due to the coronavirus pandemic, including many victims and survivors of domestic violence and community members living with HIV/ AIDS.

“It fills us with pride to have been able to provide some relief to so many families and individuals in our communities who are struggling to get by,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director. “On their behalf, we want to thank the many organizations, foundations, government agencies, and community members who made all of this possible.”

In addition to the funds to assist community families and individuals, MAPS received $28K to support its work, generously donated by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, and many community members who contributed to the “Unity and Action” campaign.