Voz da Comunidade

Fall 2012

Volume 21 / issue 2

The MAPS Newsletter

O Boletim Informativo

da MAPS

If you prefer to receive only the electronic version of our Newsletter, please send an email to rleahy@maps-inc.org.

In this issue:

New Board Mem-bers (page 2)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (page 3)

White Ribbon Day Campaign Wrap-Up (page 3)

Fuel Assistance Applications (page 4)

Lead Abatement Loans (page 4)

DACA Applica-tions (page 4)

Voter Registra-tion (page 4)

DPEP Partner-ships (page 5)

National Pride Celebrations (page 5)

ARTIGOS EM PORTUGUÊS – páginas 6, 7 e 8

MAPS Allston Office Relocates to Brighton

After 17 years of services to Portuguese speakers and other commu-nity members in Allston at its local office at 569 Cambridge St., MAPS moved its Allston Office to another nearby location this past August 30. The new office (left) is located at 697 Cambridge St., Suite 203, in Brighton – less than half a mile or a 5-minute walk away from the current office. The phone number remains the same: (617) 787-0557.

“The new office continues to be located in the heart of our Allston/Brighton Community, on the first floor of a professional building, which also houses several other key organizations and businesses. This makes it much more conducive to the work that we offer to the com-munity,” said Executive Director Paulo Pinto.

The new building offers parking and elevator for clients. The MAPS Brighton office provides Citizenship Assistance, Immigrant Social Ser-vices and HIV/STD Prevention, Education and Testing programming, as well as domestic violence and other information and referral ser-vices. The Brazilian Women’s Group, which used to be housed in the MAPS Allston office, moved along with MAPS and is now located in Suite 106 of the same building.

SAVE THE DATES! Join Us For Our Annual Meeting!

Come learn more about MAPS on Tuesday, October 30, from 6-8 pm, at 1046 Cambridge St, Cambridge. Participants will have the opportunity to meet staff and Board members; network with other community mem-bers and leaders; learn about our health and social ser-vices; enjoy a buffet dinner and special displays; learn what we have done for the community in the past fiscal year and obtain a copy of the 2012 Annual Report.

MAPS' paid members will elect members of the Board of Directors (eligible community members can join that night and vote). Members of MAPS can also run to be on the Board of Directors by contacting MAPS by Fri-day, October 23, in order to have their names on the ballot. To find out more or RSVP, please email or call Lucinda Morais at lmorais@maps-inc.org, 617-864-7600.

2013 Awards Gala May 4, 2013

Our next Gala will take place at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, with the spectacular waterfront views and the contemporary décor of the Renaissance. Stay tuned: awards re-cipients and more information will be announced soon!

Voz da Comunidade is a quarterly publication of MAPS. Please contact us at (617) 864-7600 or email rleahy@maps-inc.org: Voz da Comunidade é uma publicação trimestral da MAPS. MAPS Executive Director (Diretor Executivo) Paulo Pinto; Dir. Of Development & Communications (Dir. de Desenvolvimento e Comunicações) Lois Josimovich; Editor Renan Leahy. Deadlines for newsletter submissions by issue:

Spring – March 1; Summer – June 1; Fall – September 1; Winter – December 1

Page 2 VOZ DA COMUNIDADE—FALL 2012

Staff Updates Our warmest welcome to Laura Rodrigues, our new full-time Women’s Health Educator in Dorchester; and Fânia Resendes, full-time case manager in Cambridge, taking over from Alessandra Lopes, who was relocated to Lowell. We also wish all the success to Kate Lessard, our former case manager in Lowell, who now offers her invaluable hard work to the Center for Hope and Healing of Lowell.

Recent Funding Announcements

Many thanks to our funders for their ongoing support: Boston CDBG, Cambridge CDBG, and Somerville CDBG for Immi-grant Social Services; Rockefeller Philanthropies, Fernandes Trust for Elder Services in Cambridge and Lowell; Project Bread/Walk for Hunger for the Cambridge Senior Center Food Program; Broadway Cares for HIV/AIDS Client Assistance; Boston Public Health Commission for HIV/STI Prevention/Education; Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants for Citizenship Services; and the Federal Office on Violence Against Women—Department of Justice for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Service Capacity Enhancement.

MAPS Welcomes Three New Board Members

Our Board of Directors has recently approved the joining of three new members: Alexandra Barker of Woburn, Ray-mond Estrella of Somerville, and Filipe Zamborlini of Everett.

“We are very pleased to welcome these three competent professionals to the MAPS Board of Directors. They bring with them lots of expertise in the areas of media relations, financial management and youth advocacy that will undoubtedly make our organization stronger,” announced Elizabeth Chaves, Board President, and Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Execu-tive Director.

Barker (right), a Brazilian native, serves as the Data Dissemination Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau – New York Regional Office, out of her Massachusetts office. She also worked as Media Spe-cialist during the 2010 Census, when she developed partnerships with over 100 community organiza-tions, including MAPS and the Portuguese-speaking Complete Count Committee. She had previ-ously worked on academic research projects and served as the assistant editor for a community news-paper. She graduated from PUC-Rio (Brazil) with a BS in Journalism and earned her Master’s of Science in Public Affairs & International Relations from UMass Boston.

Estrella (left) is a seasoned financial professional of Portuguese descent, with over 20 years in corporate environments providing financial operations expertise and leadership in various capacities. He is currently the Finance Manager for Bluefin Robotics in Quincy, Massachusetts, which designs and manufactures Autonomous Underwa-ter Vehicles for military, research and commercial applications. He holds a Bachelor of Science Busi-ness Administration degree in Finance from Northeastern University as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from Babson College.

Zamborlini (right) is a young Brazilian immigrant who currently works as a Political Organizer at SEIU Local 615, after many years working with immi-

grant communities in multiple capacities. His experiences range from advocating for Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act, and civic engagement of New Americans, to community development through the US Census and Redistricting. He has seen and endured many of the issues immigrants face in America, while learning in the field from nationally and statewide renowned leaders.

The new Board members join the other eleven representatives of the Portuguese-speaking commu-nities in Massachusetts, including Ms. Chaves of Salem (Board President); Elisa Garibaldi, M.D., of Dracut (Board Vice-President); Stephen Pereira, M. Ed., of Brockton (Secretary); Mary Ann Lomba, MBA, of Dorchester (Treasurer); Marcony Almeida, M.A., of Everett; Paula Coutinho, LICSW, of Pawtucket (RI); Victor Do Couto, MMHS, of Somerville; Antero Lomba, M.Ed., of Dorchester; Carmen Pacheco Medeiros, M.Ed., of Arlington; Tina Silva of Medford; and Joseph J. Vasconcelos of Woburn. Sarah De Oliveira, Esq., of Framingham and Rhea Tavares of Wollaston recently resigned their Board memberships.

Page 3 VOZ DA COMUNIDADE—FALL 2012

MAPS OFFICES (ESCRITÓRIOS DA MAPS) : CAMBRIDGE /SOMERVILLE (617) 864-7600

BRIGHTON (617) 787-0557 DORCHESTER (617) 825-5897 LOWELL (978) 970-1250 FRAMINGHAM (508) 872-2652

MAPS Wraps Up its 2012 White Ribbon Campaign More than 100 men took the pledge to end violence against women during the 6-month White Ribbon campaign, which started March 8, during the celebrations of the International Women’s Day at our Lowell office (11 Mill Street). The final act was MAPS’ first ever Soccer Tournament, which took place September 2, at the Cowley Stadium, also in Lowell. The tournament

was open to any men of at least 18 years of age, regard-less of their soccer skills, and funded by the Verizon Foundation. “It was rewarding to see that many men got involved and committed to ending violence against women in our communities,” said Osvalda Rodrigues, MAPS’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services Program Director and Director of the MAPS Lowell Office. “Our ultimate goal is to keep the Portuguese-speaking families safe from domestic and sexual violence, and make sure we send out the message that any and all abusive behavior is unacceptable.”

The Massachusetts WRD Campaign is part of an international men’s initiative targeting violence against women. Men of all ages and walks of life are encouraged to stand up and take the WRD pledge: “From this day forward, I promise to be part of the solution in ending violence against women.” MAPS Executive Director Paulo Pinto, MPA, a co-founder of the Massachusetts WRD Campaign, served as co-chair for this year’s cam-paign along with Angelo McClain, Commissioner of the Massachusetts De-partment of Children and Families (DCF).

“As a member of the large Portuguese-speaking population in Massachu-setts and in my role as co-chair, I have been energized at the opportunity to bring awareness about sexual and domestic violence to our community and to engage Portuguese-speaking men in our work,” Pinto said.

MAPS Marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the Community

MAPS is engaged in several events to mark the Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Launched more than 16 years ago, MAPS’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services program receives support from the federal Office on Vio-

lence Against Women, the state of Massachusetts, the City of Boston and several area foundations.

MAPS has been planning special activities since early in October, includ-ing a special Café Criola (a Cape Verdean women meet-up) in Dorchester (Oct. 13th) and an intervention during MAPS Annual Meeting in Cam-bridge (Oct 30th). During the entire month, a clothesline with messages about domestic violence will (left) will be exposed in Lowell.

MAPS representatives are also participating in a number of other re-gional events along with other domestic violence service providers, the Jane Doe Inc. network, and many local communities. The events include candlelight vigils that took place the first week of October in Cambridge and Somerville.

VOZ DA COMUNIDADE—FALL 2012 Page 4

Get Help With Fuel Assistance Applications

MAPS provides free help with Fuel Assistance appli-cations for Portuguese speakers by appointment at our offices in Cambridge, Brighton, Dorchester and Lowell. The program runs from November 1st to April 30th and is available to any family or individual within the in-come guidelines. Clients renewing previous assistance don’t need to wait and can schedule an appointment now.

To learn more or to make an appointment for services, please call MAPS at the following numbers: (617) 864-7600 for Cambridge/Somerville; (617) 787-0557 for Brighton; (617) 825-5897 for Dorchester; or (978) 970-1250 for Lowell. 

MAPS Helps Somerville Clients to get Lead Abatement Loans from the City

MAPS is helping Somerville residents to apply for the city’s Lead Abatement Program, which offers 0% interest forgiv-able loans for owner-occupied properties and investor-owned properties to assist in the abatement of lead hazardous mate-rials. The amount of assistance is based on the number of eligible units and types of repairs.

Lead is dangerous for children under the age of six because it is absorbed more readily into their blood and stored more easily in their bones and internal organs. It can damage the brain and other developing organs. The most common source of childhood lead poisoning is ingestion (through normal hand-to-mouth behavior) of the fine dust that is created by deteriorating lead paint. Lead paint is common in homes built before it was banned for residential use in 1978.

The service is funded by the City of Somerville and will be available until summer 2013. To find out more or to request an application, please contact Maria Matos at (617) 864-7600 or email mmatos@maps-inc.org. (With information from the City of Somerville Housing & Program Services).

MAPS Helps Youth to Apply for the Federal Government’s Deferred Action Program

MAPS is helping eligible immigrant youth applying for the federal gov-ernment’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program through clinics organized by partner agencies. The program grants the right to work permits and relief from deportation to hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to this country when they were still children. It benefits youth who were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012; came to the US before they were 16; and have been here for more than five years. They also must have obtained or be able to obtain a high school diploma, or have served the mili-tary. There is no deadline for application submission. DACA benefits will be granted to successful applicants for up to two years, with the possibility of multiple extensions. For more information, please call (617) 864-7600.

MAPS Engages in National Voter Registration Day

MAPS engaged in the National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 25, the first day of registration for the November 6 General Election. We held special voter registra-tion outreach in Cam-bridge, Brighton, Dor-chester, and Lowell, where staff and volun-teers helped register voters. MAPS will keep on registering voters for the General Election until the deadline on Wednesday, October 17. The project is funded by MassVOTE.

Portuguese Reporter Visits MAPS

Cristina Lai Men, from Radio TSF of Lisbon, visited us this summer while writing a story about the Portu-guese elderly in the U.S. She interviewed some staff and seniors, and even had lunch at our Senior Center!

New Partners Help MAPS to Expand HIV Testing and Awareness Efforts

MAPS Disease Prevention & Education Program (DPEP), which already offered free and confidential HIV testing, has now expanded its services at our Dorchester office (1 Stoughton Street, Upham’s Corner). Through a partnership with Health Innovations, Inc., eligible clients can now also access testing for syphilis and hepatitis C, and vaccinations.

DPEP has also partnered with the Brazilian Immigrant Center (BIC) to increase outreach for HIV testing and awareness services provided by MAPS. BIC is displaying MAPS informational materials in their office, located at 14 Harvard Avenue in Allston, and referring clients to get assistance from DPEP staff. MAPS also attended recent trainings provided at the BIC by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on safety and health, fall prevention and lead paint. DPEP staff re-cruited participants for free and confidential HIV and STI testing, as they also do in various outreach activities they conduct in the community.

Apart from the partnerships, DPEP’s staff have also received training on sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for Chlamydia and gonorrhea, also being offered in three MAPS offices. Walk-ins are welcome, or clients can call (617) 825-5897 for Dorchester, (617) 787-0557 for Brighton (697 Cambridge Street, Suite 203), or (508) 872-2652 for Framing-ham (24 Union Avenue, suites 8 & 10). This program is supported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

MAPS Celebrates National Pride with our Communities

The last few months have been very exciting, with many events celebrating the Portuguese-speaking countries' national pride! First it was the Boston Portuguese Festival, with a broad program of activities in May and June, including a regatta, a horse show, exhibits and the traditional Portuguese parade on the streets of Somerville and Cambridge.

Then it was time to celebrate Cape Verde's Independence Day. On the 4th of July, MAPS joined hundreds of people at the Boston City Hall Plaza for a day filled with fun activities, music and great food! On the next day, we were honored with the visit of a group of Cape Verdean dignitaries to the MAPS Cambridge headquarters, including the Cape Verdean Min-ister of Communities, Fernanda Fernandes, the Consul-General of Cape Verde in Boston, Pedro Graciano Carvalho, and the Ambassador of Cape Verde in Washington, DC, Fátima Veiga.

Finally, we joined the celebrations of the 17th Brazilian Independence Festival, which took place September 4th-9th, with a music concert in Framingham, movie screening in Brighton, civic ceremony at the Boston City Hall Plaza and an outdoor festival at the Herter Park, in Boston.

VOZ DA COMUNIDADE—FALL 2012 Page 5

DPEP Brings Health Education to Summer Events

MAPS’ Disease Prevention and Education Program’s (DPEP’s) team made a big impression at the June 9 Boston Pride Parade as staff and volunteers danced along to the rhythms of the AfroBrazil music group, which added a Carnaval-like feel to our presence. A large crowd danced alongside staff and volunteers who organized MAPS' participation at the event.

On Saturday, July 14, more than 100 people enjoyed the Ambiente

Latino Fashion Show at the Polish Political Club in Chelsea. Models from different Latin American countries took over the catwalk in costumes, gowns and other outfits, filling the event with beauty, color and music.

In both events, DPEP staff also provided counseling and testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

VOZ DA COMUNIDADE— FALL 2012 Page 6

MAPS Celebra Orgulho Pátrio com as Comunidades

Os últimos meses foram marcados por vários eventos comemorando o orgulho pátrio dos povos de língua portuguesa! Primeiro, foi o Boston Portuguese Festival (à esquerda), com uma ampla programação de atividades em maio e junho, inclu-indo uma regata, espetáculo com cavalos, exposições, e o tradicional desfile português pelas ruas de Somerville e Cambridge.

Depois foi a hora de comemorar o Dia da Independência de Cabo Verde.

No dia 4 de julho, a MAPS se juntou a centenas de pessoas no Boston City Hall Plaza para um dia cheio de atividades, música e ótima comida! No dia seguinte, nós tivemos o privilégio de receber a visita de um grupo de autoridades cabo-verdianas ao escritório central da MAPS em Cambridge (à direita, em cima), incluindo a Ministra das Comunidades de Cabo Verde, Fernanda Fernandes, o Cônsul-Geral de Cabo Verde em Boston, Pedro Graciano Carvalho, e a Embaixadora de Cabo Verde em Washington, DC, Fátima Veiga.

Mais recentemente, nós participamos das comemorações do 17º Festival da Independência do Brasil em Boston (à direita, embaixo), realizado entre 4 e 9 de setembro, com apresentação musical em Framingham, exibição de filme em Brighton, cerimônia cívica no Boston City Hall Plaza e um grande festival ao ar livre no Herter Park, em Boston.

MAPS Oferece Serviço para Clientes Solicitarem Ajuda para Aquecimento    A MAPS oferece apoio gratuito para a comunidade solicitar ajuda para aquecimento, por meio de consultas com hora marcada nos escritórios de Cambridge, Brighton, Dorchester e Lowell. O programa estará aberto de 1º de novembro de 2012 a 30 de abril de 2013 para qualquer pessoa que se encaixe no perfil de renda exigido. Os clientes que estejam renovando contratos anteriores não precisam aguardar o prazo e podem dar entrada no pedido imediatamente.

Para mais informações ou para marcar uma consulta, entre em contato com a MAPS nos seguintes números: (617) 864-7600 para Cambridge/Somerville; (617) 787-0557 para Brighton; (617) 825-5897 para Dorchester; ou (978) 970-1250 para Lowell.  

MAPS Ajuda Clientes de Somerville a Obterem Empréstimo para Controle de Chumbo

  A Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) está ajudando moradores de Somerville a solicitarem participação no Programa Municipal de Controle de Chumbo, que oferece empréstimos perdoáveis e sem juros para imóveis ocupados pelos proprietários ou investidores para custear a redução do uso de materiais que contenham chumbo. O valor da ajuda é baseado no número de imóveis e tipos de reparos. O chumbo é um metal perigoso para crianças com menos de seis anos porque é absorvido mais rapidamente por sua corrente sanguínea e armazenado mais facilmente em seus ossos e órgãos internos. O meio mais comum de contaminação de crianças pelo chumbo é a ingestão (por meio do comportamento normal de levar a mão à boca) da poeira fina criada pela deterioração da tinta com chumbo. Esse tipo de tinta é comum em casas construídas antes de ter sido banida para uso residencial, em 1978. O serviço é financiado pela Cidade de Somerville e será oferecido até o verão de 2013. Para mais informações ou para solicitar o empréstimo, entre em contato com Maria Matos pelo telefone (617) 834-7600 ou email mmatos@maps-inc.org.

(Com informações dos Serviços de Habitação & Programas da Cidade de Somerville)

MAPS Participa do Mês de Conscientização sobre Violência Doméstica em Outubro

A MAPS está participando de vários evento marcando o Mês de Conscientização sobre Violência Doméstica em outubro. Lançado há mais de 16 anos, o programa de Prevenção à Violência Doméstica recebe apoio do Escritório Federal sobre Violência contra as Mulheres, do Governo de Massachusetts, da Cidade de Boston e de várias fundações locais.

A MAPS vem planejando atividades especiais desde o início de outubro, incluindo um Café Criola (encontro de mulheres cabo-verdianas) especial em Dorchester no dia 13 de outubro, e uma intervenção durante a Reunião Anual da MAPS em Cambridge no dia 30 de outubro. Durante todo o mês, um varal com camisetas com mensagens sobre violência doméstica estará exposto em Lowell.

Além disso, a MAPS também vai participar de eventos regionais com outras agências que prestam serviços similares, a rede Jane Doe Inc., e várias comunidades locais. Os eventos incluem vigílias realizadas no início de outubro em Cambridge e Somerville.

Page 7 VOZ DA COMUNIDADE— FALL 2012

Escritório de Allston se Muda para Brighton

Após 17 anos de serviços para os falantes de português e outros moradores da região de Allston, a MAPS mudou seu escritório local, situado no número 569 da Cambridge St., para um outro endereço. O novo escritório fi no número 697 da Cambridge St., suite 203, em Brighton – menos de meia milha de distância ou cinco minutos de caminhada do atual escritório. “Estamos muito empolgados com o nosso novo escritório e ansiosos por atender nossos clientes num espaço profissional e recentemente reformado, na mesma área onde eles já se acostumaram a buscar nossos serviços,” disse Paulo Pinto, Diretor Executivo da MAPS. “O novo escritório continua no coração da comunidade de Allston/Brighton, no primeiro andar de um edifício empresarial, que também acolhe várias outras organizações e empresas importantes. Isso o torna muito mais adequado para o tipo de trabalho que oferecemos para a comunidade.” O prédio oferece estacionamento e elevador para os clientes. Em seu escritório de Brighton, a MAPS oferece Assistência à Cidadania, Serviços Sociais para Imigrantes, e Educação e Prevenção ao HIV. O Grupo Mulher Brasileira, que funcionava dentro do escritório da MAPS em Allston, também se mudou para o novo prédio, estabelecendo-se na Suite 106.

MAPS Encerra a Campanha do Laço Branco 2012

Mais de 100 homens fizeram o juramento de dar fim à violên-cia contra as mulheres durante os 6 meses da Campanha do Laço Branco, iniciados no dia 8 de março durante as comemorações pelo Dia Internacional da Mulher no nosso es-critório em Lowell (11 Mill Street). O ato final foi o primeiro Torneio de Futebol da MAPS, realizado no dia 2 de setembro no Cowley Stadium, também em Lowell. O torneio foi aberto a qualquer homem de 18 anos ou mais, independetemente se suas habilidades com a bola, e financiado pela Verizon Foundation.

A Campanha do Laço Branco em Massachusetts é parte de uma iniciativa internacional de homens focada no fim da violência contra as mulheres. Homens de todas as idades e estilos de vida são estimulados a fazer o Juramento do Laço Branco: “A

partir de hoje eu prometo fazer parte da solução e dar fim à violência contra as mulheres.” O Diretor Executivo da MAPS Paulo Pinto, co-fundador da campanha em Massachusetts, foi um dos presidentes da campanha este ano, ao lado de Angelo McClain, Comissário do Departamento da Infância e Famílias de Massachusetts (DCF).

Serving the Portuguese-speaking

community in partnership with

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 56858

Boston, MA

MAPS

Massachusetts Alliance of

Portuguese Speakers

1046 Cambridge St.

Cambridge, MA 02139

www.maps-inc.org

VOZ DA COMUNIDADE—FALL 2012 Page 8

Reunião Anual da MAPS Dia 30 de Outubro de 2012

Venha saber mais sobre a MAPS na terça-feira, dia 30 de outubro, das 6 às 8 da noite, no número 1046 da Cambridge Street, em Cambridge. Os visitantes poderão conhecer fun-cionários e membros da Diretoria da MAPS, fazer contato com outras pessoas da comunidade, conhecer os nossos ser-viços sociais e de saúde, saborear um jantar delicioso e apre-ciar exposições especiais, ficar por dentro do que realizamos no último ano fiscal e obter uma cópia do nosso Relatório Anual 2012.

Os membros pagantes da MAPS poderão eleger os integrantes da Diretoria (pessoas da comunidade também poderão se filiar na mesma noite e votar). Os membros da MAPS também podem concorrer a cargos na Diretoria, bastando entrar em contato com a MAPS até a sexta-feira, dia 23 de outubro, para ter seus nomes incluídos no cartão de votação. Para mais informações ou confirmar presença, entre em contato com Lucinda Morais pelo email lmorais@maps-inc.org ou telefone 617-864-7600.

Festa de Gala da MAPS 2013 Dia 4 de Maio de 2013

Nossa próxima Festa de Gala será realizada no Ren-aissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, com a vista espetacular da orla e a decoração contemporânea do Renaissance. Acompanhe as informações: o nome dos premiados e mais novidades serão anunciados em breve!

MARQUE NO CALENDÁRIO!