The MAPS Manuel N. Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award is presented to individuals who follow the outstanding example of the late Manuel N. Coutinho, Volunteer Citizenship Teacher, in unselfishly volunteering time and energy on behalf of the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts. Mr. Coutinho helped prepare Portuguese speakers and other immigrants for American citizenship at MAPS from 1969 until 2002, as well as volunteering for many other community groups.
Award Recipients:
2026: Paulo de Barros, Board President, Cape Verdean Association of Boston
2024: Tony DaRocha, President and Coach, Boston United Track and Cross-Country Club
2022: Debora Guimaraes, founder of the Share Your Love Foundation
2019: Fernanda Rocha, Founder of a support group for Brazilian mothers of autistic children
2018: Regina Rodrigues, Volunteer, MAPS HIV/STI Services
2017: Project Health CV, Non-Profit Medical Aid Organization
2016: Lidia Souza, Founder, New England Community Center in Stoughton
2015: António (Thony) Alves, Owner, Thony’s Barbershop in Roxbury
2014: Alphonso Brown, MD, Physician at Cambridge Health Alliance, ICAN Youth Scholars Program Founder & Volunteer and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School
2013: Maria Carvalho, LICSW, the volunteer president of the Board at the Portuguese School of Cambridge and Somerville
2013: Nelson Augusto da Silva, A longtime volunteer with the Cabo Verdean community
2012: Adalberto Teixeira, Deputy Director of Human Services for the City of Boston
2011: Crisolita Pontes-Alves, Volunteer, St. Patrick’s Church of Roxbury
2010: Alice Gomes, Family Department Specialist at the Family Nuturing Center of Massachusetts
2009: Elisa Garibaldi, MD, Lowell Community Health Center
2008: Celia Maciel
2007: José Carlos Barros and José Gomes, Portuguese-language Alcoholics Anonymous Group Facilitators
2006: Manoel De Sousa, Framingham Volunteer
2005: Maria & José Pombeiro, Lowell Community Volunteers
2004: Andreia Makkas, Brazilian Community Leader
2003: Ruth Costa, MAPS Youth Program Volunteer
2002: Gunga Tavares, Cultural Attaché, Consulate of Cape Verde in Boston
2001: Sally Correa, Maria Alice Reis, Lowell Senior Center
2000: Maria Valente, Owner of Portugalia Restaurant
1999: Manuel N. Coutinho, MAPS Volunteer Citizenship Teacher