Regional Director for the Communities participates in 50th anniversary of Fundação Faialense in the USA
The Regional Director for the Communities, Paulo Teves, participates Saturday, April 27, in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Fundação Faialense in the state of Massachusetts.
The Fundação Faialense was created in 1969 by a group of emigrants from the island of Faial with the aim of awarding scholarships to students with good academic performance that are facing financial difficulties so that they may pursue university studies.
Envisioned by Father Manuel Garcia, this foundation already had several offices throughout the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island a year after its foundation, having managed to extend the scope of its action California in 1973.
For over five decades, the Fundação Faialense has already awarded about 400 scholarships to young people from Faial and to the children of Faial-born emigrants residing in the United States of America. In 2013, it was distinguished with the Autonomic Commendation of Merit in the celebrations of the Day of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
Also on Saturday, Paulo Teves visits the Discovery Language Academy in New Bedford, which teaches Portuguese for different learning levels as well as English for adults.
Founded in 1920, the academy has changed its designation and location within the city of New Bedford, where a large Azorean community resides; its current designation was adopted in 2016.
The purpose of the Discovery Language Academy is to provide the Portuguese community residing in this area of Massachusetts with opportunities for the learning of Portuguese language and culture and the English language as well. Additionally, the cooperation with Portuguese associations and companies is another goal promoted by this school.
On April 28, the Regional Director participates in the Portuguese Gastronomy and Folklore Festival, an initiative promoted by the Portuguese Day celebrations committee in Rhode Island. It will include the participation of various associations and folk dance groups from this state, representing several Portuguese regions.
The event will be held at the Community Centre of Grupo Amigos Da Terceira in the city of Pawtucket, a partner institution of the Regional Directorate for the Communities that has developed a series of initiatives aimed at the preservation and dissemination of Azorean identity in the State of Rhode Island.