Maria “Rosie” Portugal-Brastad

AJUSD

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By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

Project Help, a community-based program providing short-term assistance for families and students enrolled in Apache Junction Unified School District, has secured a 25-year lease for $1 a year at the Pinal County complex.

The Apache Junction Unified School District Governing Board on July 23 approved the lease agreement in a 5-0 vote. Board member Gail Ross voted by phone.

It is a lease renewal, effective July 1, 2024, for 195 E. Superstition Blvd. in Apache Junction that was secured by Maria “Rosie” Portugal-Brastad, Project Help coordinator.

“Hats off to Rosie for being very persistent because they only wanted to give her five years and she didn’t take no for an answer,” Superintendent Robert Pappalardo told the board. “She came back with 25, so it’s a great thing for Project Help — they have a permanent location for 25 years.”

Board members thanked Portugal-Brastad for getting the 25-year lease.

“We appreciate you Rosie a lot,” Board President Dena Kimble said.

“Thank you so much for getting that 25-year lease,” Board member Bobby Bauders said. “Project Help is so important to our community, and I want to make sure that the program has stability, it’s always there for our community. So thank you so much for that,” he said.

“Thank you to Rosie and all of the hard work that she does and her team,” Ross said by phone.

“I think you guys have huge hearts and it’s wonderful what you guys do for a lot of different things so thank you,” Board member Cami Garcia said.

Board Vice President Gil Cancio said it was good that the district was able to grant the 25-year renewal for a dollar per year.

“I do have to congratulate you on your persistence,” he said.

Project HELP is 100% supported by donations such as financial, food, new and gently used clothing, and household goods provided by churches, organizations, businesses and individuals. Aid is distributed, as funds allow, based on need, as determined by the Project Help coordinator according to AJUSD’s website.

Assistance days are 8:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday and Thursday. The offices are staffed 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and closed on all AJUSD school holidays, as well as fall, winter, spring, and summer breaks.

For information, call 480-288-2955 or go to https://www.ajusd.org/page/project-help.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.