Warning: This listing is no longer actively maintained. The information below is likely to be out of date.

MAPS' mission is to improve the lives of Portuguese-speaking individuals and families from Massachusetts and help them become contributing, active participants in American society while maintaining strong ethnic identity and a sense of community. MAPS works with and for the Brazilian, Cape Verdean, Portuguese and other Portuguese-speaking communities to increase access and remove barriers to health, education and social services through direct services, advocacy, leadership and community development.

Description:
MAPS provides a wide variety of direct health and social services for Portuguese speakers and others in need in eastern Massachusetts, as well as advocacy, leadership and community development activities. Direct services include:
*Education and Prevention Services (Youth Development, Substance Abuse Prevention, HIV Peer Leadership, media training and homework assistance; Adult HIV/AIDS Outreach and Education; HIV Counseling & Testing; and the Healthy Mind/Healthy Body Program promoting physical activity and good nutrition to prevent chronic diseases and improve overall health.
*Support Services(HIV/AIDS Case Management, Immigrant Social Services, Elder Services including a Cambridge Senior Center; Home Ownership Assistance; Substance Abuse Counseling, and courses in ESOL, Citizenship and the Portuguese language).
*Clinical Services including Adolescent Intensive Services (DSS-referred youth), Family-Based Services (DSS), Domestic Violence Prevention, Batterer Intervention, and Driver Alcohol Education.

History:
MAPS, a private, non-profit organization, has provided health and social services to Portuguese speakers of all backgrounds in eastern Massachusetts since 1970. MAPS in its present form was created in 1993 by the merger of two other agencies. The agencies, Somerville Portuguese Language League and Cambridge Organization of Portuguese Americans, had served similar populations separately for more than 20 years before the merger. They merged to improve service provision and further unify the Portuguese-speaking community. Offices are now open in Cambridge, Somerville, Allston, Dorchester, Framingham and Lowell.

Contact person: Lucinda Morais, Cambridge Office Manager, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 617-864-7621

Address:

1046 Cambridge St. Cambridge, MA 02139 (See a map)

Directions:

Please call and we will fax or give directions to appropriate site (MAPS has 6 offices). Directions are also available on the website at www.maps-inc.org in the Contact link.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Lechmere or Central Square,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15-20   Nearest Bus Stop: 69 bus For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com

Overall Experience   
I have volunteered with MAPS for over five years and I have witness the many great things that MAPS have done for our communities, I'm glad that United Way have been there to support MAPS and on the other hand, very happy to see MAPS helping those in need."

It is hard to describe all the positive things that have happened to me because of my affiliation with MAPS. To start with, it was at (COPA) MAPS that I learned my few first words in English in 1989/1991. Then 10 years later I returned as a volunteer on the Board of Directors where today (10/3/06) I serve as its first Brazilian President. This accomplisment alone is a big deal for me personally and for the entire Brazilian community. I have learned to conduct fundraise, run a Board, lead committees, etc....etc...Thank you! posted by cdasilvapt13@aol.com on October 3, 2006