More than 60 community members, staff, board members, and supporters took part in the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers’ (MAPS) 2021 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, to learn about MAPS’ main achievements of fiscal year 2021. Between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, MAPS served more than 14,500 members of the Portuguese-speaking communities, including 527 families dealing with loss of income and unemployment due to the pandemic who received food, rental and utility assistance.
MAPS once again held its meeting virtually, and MAPS members had the opportunity to vote online on the MAPS Board Election, or by mailing in their ballots in the weeks before the meeting. Board Members Patricia de Oliveira, from Everett, Paula Coutinho, LICSW, from Rhode Island, Carmen Pacheco Medeiros, M.Ed., from Arlington, Stephanie Mello, Esq., from Lowell, and Susan Pacheco, from Arlington, were re-elected to serve another 3-year term on the MAPS Board of Directors.
“MAPS has never been this strong financially and programmatically,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director. “Not only did we deliver on our core services, but we also went above and beyond and created new programs to respond to the pandemic, and for the first time ever, our organization passed the $4 Million mark in our annual operating revenues.”
During the last fiscal year, the health and social services organization served more than 14,500 clients, a reduction compared to recent years that reflects the difficulty in conducting direct person-to-person community outreach during the pandemic.
After several postponements and cancellations, MAPS finally held its 50+1 Anniversary Gala on October 9, 2021, a unique celebration of the organization’s “Builders” that raised more than $185,000 to support MAPS’ many community programs and services. The 4th MAPS Chip-In for Charity Golf Tournament also took place in September of 2021 and raised $55,000 to support the MAPS Senior Center in Cambridge, a new record for the event.
“Even during this pandemic, MAPS was able to do so much, and the finances show it,” said Board Treasurer Mary Ann Lomba, MBA. Board President Susan Pacheco thanked the MAPS staff for their dedication. “Our staff continued to surpass all of our expectations with everything that has been done in the 18 plus months that we’ve been in this situation,” said Pacheco. “The services have continued to be delivered to vulnerable individuals in our community, and MAPS continues to strive to meet the needs of our communities.
As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a national campaign that takes place annually during October, Program Director Dulce Ferreira, MA, reminded participants of how the organization marked the 2021 campaign.
“This year we focused on strengthening partnerships with many agencies in our areas of service,” said Ferreira. “A well-established and coordinated community response can make the difference in the lives of the people we serve.”
A copy of the organization’s 2021 Annual Report detailing this information, as well as client service numbers, financial and funding reports, and more can be obtained at any MAPS office or downloaded from MAPS’ website at www.maps-inc.org/2021-annual-meeting/.