The Framingham Cultural Council Announced its 2020 Awards

The 2020 Contributor of the Year Awards were made to Herb Chasan, Hoops and Homework founder, and the Hoops and Homework Program Team, and also to Drita Protopapa, MAPA Translations & Language Solutions, president and founder.

Hoops and Homework was spearheaded by Herb Chasan in 2012 as a means of providing enrichment services for children from an underserved neighborhood in Framingham. The Hoops and Homework program team provides a positive social and learning experience, including after school homework and recreation programs, at two locations: the Framingham Housing Authority's site at Carlson and Pusan Road and the Cochituate Cooperative site at Interfaith Terrace.

The program

• Creates a positive social and learning environment where all children can succeed.
• Develops strong social and emotional skills.
• Fosters each child's educational growth and good study habits.
• Motivates children to explore, experiment, and adopt a creative problem-solving mentality.
• instills a positive can-do attitude in children to build self-esteem and self-worth.

Hoops and Homework meets the clear need for an affordable and accessible after-school program for children living in Framingham’s lowest income neighborhood. It offers safe and nurturing programs which have been very successful with the students, their parents, and their teachers.

The second Contributor of the Year award recipient, Drita Protopapa, has been a business owner and community builder for many years. Drita has volunteered her translation services to area groups and provided support to immigrants and small businesses. She has also volunteered her services to the Brazilian American Center (BRACE) in Framingham. Her company, MAPA, provides translations in writing, in person, and by phone. MAPA also provides video interpreter services, multilingual voice overs and videos for the Framingham community. Drita is a:

• Founding Board Member Metrowest Conference for Women.
• Board Member of RIA House Inc.
• Member of Performing Arts Center MetroWest, 2013-2015
• Board Member of downtown Framingham Inc 2013-2015