The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is seeking award nominations for its 2024 Awards Gala, which will take place on April 20, 2024, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge.
MAPS is inviting community members to submit nominations in three different award categories: Jorge Fidalgo Community Service Award, Manuel N. Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award, and the Person of the Year Award.
The nominations can be submitted online at maps-inc.org/gala2024 or by calling 617-864-7600, and entries must be submitted by Friday, September 15, 2023, at 5 pm. The list of award recipients will be announced later this fall, and more information about each award category can be found on the organization’s website.
The MAPS Annual Awards Gala honors distinguished individuals and organizations who have made great contributions to the lives of Portuguese speakers and other community members in Massachusetts.
“Every year we look forward to celebrating our communities’ many successes by honoring a group of community leaders or organizations who inspire us all with their remarkable stories,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS CEO. “We invite our community members to nominate some of those outstanding people in their lives who truly deserve recognition, and we look forward to gathering with our many friends and supporters, as well as business and community leaders, public officials, and community members at the Sonesta’s beautiful ballroom on April 20 of next year.”
“It’s important that we highlight those among us who continue to step up to generously dedicate their time, efforts, and resources to make a difference in the lives of our community members who need a helping hand,” said MAPS Board President Antonio Massa Viana, Esq. “That’s why it’s always a pleasure and an honor to be part of the MAPS Gala, and we hope that our communities help us identify some of those positive role models deserving of recognition.”
The private, nonprofit organization relies on its annual Gala fundraiser, as well as government contracts, private grants, individual donations and other resources, to keep offering much-needed culturally and linguistically competent health and social services for Brazilians, Cabo Verdeans, Portuguese and other community members in Massachusetts.
MAPS has served the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts and others since 1970. The organization offers many free health and social services through its six offices in Cambridge, Somerville, Brighton, Dorchester, Framingham, and Lowell. To learn more about MAPS, visit maps-inc.org.