The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers is looking for new individual and organizational members for the 2018 fiscal year to promote the involvement of community members, businesses and organizations in the agency’s mission of improving the lives of Portuguese-speaking people in Massachusetts and help them become contributing, active participants in U.S. society.

Members are entitled to a series of benefits, including getting MAPS newsletters and being eligible to vote at its annual meeting. Organizational members will also get promotional opportunities on its website and social media pages, and, most importantly, the opportunity to build a closer relationship with the agency and show a commitment to the community.

“We feel that this is a great opportunity for potential members to show that they are determined to contributing to empowerment of the communities they serve and are a part of,” said Lois Josimovich, the agency’s director of development. “We hope to significantly expand the number of individuals and organizations who are connected to MAPS.”

Individuals can become members for only $25 per fiscal year ($15 for seniors and students); businesses and organizations can choose between two levels: extraordinary partner (for $500 annually) or community partner (for $100 annually).

“Although people do not have to be members to receive services from MAPS, membership is an important way of showing support for our work,” said Paulo Pinto, the agency’s executive director. “Our goal is to get community members and organizations directly involved in our mission to empower Portuguese speakers in Massachusetts.”

The agency has close to 140 individual members and four community partners: East Cambridge Savings Bank, Lowell General Hospital – Circle Health, Cambridge Community Television and Community Teamwork.

To read a full list of benefits for individuals and organizations, and to become a member, visit maps-inc.org/participate.

The agency has been helping Portuguese-speaking immigrants and others with daily life needs and critical community issues since 1970. The health and social service provider operates six offices in Cambridge, Somerville, Brighton, Dorchester, Framingham and Lowell. To learn more, visit maps-inc.org.