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Community needs and cultural pride have been reoccurring themes throughout our history. The idea of an Association began in 1977, when a group of well-connected and well-informed individuals led by Rudolfo Santos, a Capeverdean-American, and Manuel Andrade, a Capeverdean immigrant, saw the need to create and organize an association. After much deliberation, they organized and founded The Capeverdean-American Association of Brockton. This Association began functioning as a social club holding many cultural events. Then a few members, mostly immigrants, felt that it should function more as a Social Services agency in order to provide social services to a now growing group of new immigrants. This division, in vision, led to infighting and the conflict ended-up in court with a very divided group. From 1979 until the late 80s, The Association was maintained legally, but it provided very little assistance to a now growing community, due in part to the lack of resources and funding. In 1988 a group of new Capeverdean immigrants under the leadership of Dr. Fragoso, who was then a practicing Physician visiting from Portugal, had an informal meeting discussing the needs of the now larger immigrant community. It was suggested that an organization to provide services to the community be formed. The new group formed an organization, which become known legally as the Nova Aliança Caboverdiana (the New Capeverdean Alliance). This group had, as it’s objective, to provide social services to the Capeverdeans of greater Brockton and it had the dream of becoming the guiding light for the newer immigrants and assist them as they acclimated to life away from the Islands. As time passed, neither organization had much recognition beyond the Capeverdean world, with practically no funding other than what the core members contributed. In 1990, a group of visionaries within the two groups got together and decided that “survival was an attainable objective” as long as the two groups worked together to fight the battle of recognition and expand their programs. After many concessions and countless meetings and negotiations, the two groups decided to merge their two organizations. With the advice of state officials, it was decided that the older of the two organizations would be kept. There would be a name change, with a new set of By-Laws, and a newly organized Board, made-up of members from both organizations. This historical and often praised act of unity and perseverance gave “birth” to the new organization known at The Associação Caboverdiana de Brockton, Inc. (Capeverdean Association of Brockton). After the merger, success was not immediate. For example, the group continued to hold its’ monthly meetings at various hosting sites and often were locked-out of their many hosting sites and resorted to meet on the SIDE WALK. With determination and infusion of new members to the board, the newly constituted Association never lost sight of the “big picture”: to become a force within the social services world of the greater Brockton community. Little by little funds began to arrive, first from the Mayor’s office, which allowed the organization to rent space and establish its first home base. Later other funds were obtained from the United Way and from Healthcare of Southeastern Mass. This allowed the Association to employ its first paid professional. With these new funds and staff, other funding and programs from DSS, DPH were obtained. In 1998, with the growth of both funds and service needs, the association began the dream of “home ownership”. The Association began looking to purchase its own facilities to expand the growing programs. In 1999 after a valiant community effort, the Association was able to purchase its present installations. A two building property located in the city of Brockton. The rest is as the saying goes... HISTORY Today, the ACVB as it is commonly referred to, is perhaps the most recognized community based organization in the city of Brockton. The Associação Caboverdiana De Brockton, Inc. is a recognized 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with an annual budget of over $300,000 dollars. The agency offers a broad range of services designed to be linguistically compatible and culturally appropriate to its targeted population. Theses services include adult education, youth development activities, health education/awareness community outreach and advocacy. In it’s prevention efforts, the Association has collaborated with various community groups such as Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, the Brockton Alliance for Youth, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Brockton, Old Colony YMCA, the City of Brockton, Latino Health Institute, the Brockton Hospital, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Public Health. Through the usage of its cable programs, the Association has been able to deliver its preventive messages, via television, to the homes of the thousands of Capeverdeans and other individuals residing in the Greater Brockton area. Although the Association primarily serves individuals and families of Capeverdean ancestry, services are also provided to other individuals regardless of their gender, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation and/or disability. Where does this vibrant and most recognized Capeverdean organization in the Capeverdean Diaspora go from here? Only time will tell. But wherever time takes it, it will not be for lack of effort and self determination of the many visionary individuals who gave their hearts and effort for the advancement of Capeverdeans throughout the new world. |