MAPS helps record number of Portuguese speakers, approves new bylaws at annual meeting
CAMBRIDGE – The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) helped a record number of people this past fiscal year – accounting for about a 35% increase over the previous fiscal year – announced the agency’s CEO during the nonprofit organization’s 2023 Annual Meeting on Oct. 24.
Paulo Pinto said that MAPS provided crucial health and social services to 24,272 Portuguese, Brazilian, Cabo Verdean and other immigrants from July 2022 through June 2023.
“I am proud to report that the state of MAPS is very strong,” said Pinto, addressing a crowd of about 90, including staff, Board members, volunteers and other supporters who gathered at MAPS’ main office in Cambridge to learn about the organization’s recent accomplishments and celebrate important milestones.
MAPS nearly reached $5 million in operational revenues during Fiscal Year 2023, helping the organization continue to build financial health and provide more community services.
Board Treasurer Susan Pacheco gave an overview of MAPS’ financial profile, reporting $4.9 million in revenues and $4.1 million in expenses for the year.
“In 2023, we also continued to invest in building organizational infrastructure so that we can better serve our communities—purchasing a three-story building in Everett and finding a new rented space for our Somerville office in the Union Square neighborhood where we have been for the last 50 years,” Pinto said.
The Everett building at 792 Broadway will soon undergo renovations before opening in early 2024. MAPS now owns three of its seven offices, opening the door for significant occupancy cost savings over time.
MAPS recently moved out of its former Somerville Office at 92 Union Square, and plans to re-open by the end of this year at its new 362 Somerville Avenue location following renovations.
Board President António Massa Viana and other Board officers expressed excitement about MAPS’ organizational growth and increased services to the large and diverse Portuguese-speaking community in Massachusetts.
“This work is powerful and crucial. I am so proud to be associated with an organization like MAPS that does so much for our community,” Viana said.
Over the past year, MAPS also upgraded technology and made important adjustments to staff wages to retain and attract linguistically and culturally competent staff in an increasingly competitive hiring environment.
“All these accomplishments and opportunities could not be possible without all of you here and the amazing support of everyone in our community,” said Pinto, thanking the Board, staff, volunteers, community leaders, businesses, and the many funders and donors who support MAPS.
The agency also approved a new set of bylaws at the meeting, which were pro-bono by attorneys from the top Boston legal firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
MAPS officials say the new bylaws add more inclusive, gender-neutral language, and eliminate individual and organizational memberships. They will become effective on July 1, 2024.
“The provision of services to our clients was never conditional on membership requirements, as MAPS provides effective opportunities throughout the year for the community to support the organization and its services,” Pinto said.
Most MAPS services are free of charge. The organization offers a wide range of health and social services through its five offices in Cambridge, Brighton, Dorchester, Framingham, and Lowell, and soon also in Everett and Somerville.
The annual meeting also served to recognize 20 volunteers who received Certificates of Appreciation. Staff and Board members who completed 5, 15 and 30-year service milestones were also recognized with Certificates.
More details about MAPS’ Fiscal Year 2023 accomplishments can be found in the agency’s 2023 Annual Report. Copies can be picked up at MAPS offices, or downloaded at https://maps-inc.org/annual-report/.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: MAPS helps record number of people, approves new bylaws
