The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) will offer a free Community Health Clinic on Friday, February 21, 3-7 pm, at the private, non-profit organization’s Somerville Office, 92 Union Square.

Visitors will have the opportunity to get vaccines against flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis A & B, get tested for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and talk to a nurse about health concerns. All services are free, linguistically and culturally competent and strictly confidential, provided by bilingual/bicultural Portuguese-speaking staff and health care professionals.

“Some community members have trouble accessing health services, and it’s our mission to help them overcome the language, cultural, financial and other barriers that separate them from a healthier life,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director and Interim Director of the agency’s Disease Prevention and Screening Program.

Clients can just walk in to the clinic, which is located on the second floor, or schedule an appointment by calling (617) 764-2091. Similar free health clinics already took place this year at the MAPS offices in Framingham and Dorchester, and new dates and locations will be announced soon.

MAPS offers HIV and STI Prevention, Education, Counseling & Testing, in Cambridge, Brighton, Dorchester and Framingham. The agency also provides Case Management for those living with HIV/AIDS.  HIV/AIDS Services are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC).  MAPS clients can also access a variety of other programs, such as Immigrant Integration Services, Citizenship Assistance, MassHealth/health insurance enrollment, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services, Family Support Services, Elder Services, ESOL and Portuguese classes, and more.

MAPS has served the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts since 1970. For more information, please call (617) 864-7600 or visit www.maps-inc.org.