BELLO MACHRE INC
Rating: 5 stars 17 reviews
Issues: Human Services
Location: 7765 Freetown Rd Glen Burnie MD 21060 USA
Mission:
Bello Machre, Inc., which means Home of My Heart in Gaelic, provides homes and support to children, teens, adults, and seniors with developmental disabilities. Our mission is to enrich the lives of those we serve through loving care, guidance, and opportunity so that they can live life to its fullest. The organization was founded in 1972 by family members of individuals with developmental disabilities. For over 37 years, Bello Machre has been committed to providing outstanding support and loving care. Guided by a highly respected management team that has 100 years of combined experience in the field of developmental disabilities, Bello Machre provides residential, in-home support, and respite care services to more than 300 people. Naturally, these services are provided regardless of age, gender, ethnic background, religion, level of disability or any other characteristic protected by law.
1. Residential Programs provide homes, support, and loving care to over 160 individuals with developmental disabilities, enabling them to participate in all aspects of community life. Campus Living, Community Living, and Family Living programs vary slightly from one another but allow individuals to live with others in residential homes, providing all with a loving and nurturing environment.
Programs:
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Community Reviews
My son suffers from a traumatic brain injury. He has had extensive therapy at Kennedy Krieger Institute. The therapist there recommended I purchase a specialized bike for him at home. They are very expensive so I asked Bello Machre if there was any funding I could apply for to help reduce the cost for me. A few weeks ago I received notification that the had gotten funding for the entire bike. I was in tears hearing this news. I never thought they would be able to get funding for the entire bike. My son is thrilled to be receiving his new bike next week. This organization is remarkable.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Our entire MS does a yard clean up day for Bello Machre every Spring. We take out over 250 people to about 20 homes to help out the group. The kids love doing the work and helping out in the community and the residents love having us there.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing kids respond to helping others
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
.
My main interests in this charity is its commitment to helping adults with disabilities. Lots of emphasis is placed on the social aspects of the adult. Becoming more a part of the community, allows everyone to participate in activities with people of all abilities and disabilities. This charity does all it can to make sure that all adults are active, involved and included.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've worked personally with an adult with a disability by taking him to donate toys in the toys for tots campaign and public outings to local restaurants, movies and the library.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
do more advertising to get more people involved. maybe more drawings or prizes for new volunteers.
This is an Agency that is very dedicated to the people they serve. They go above and beyond the call of duty and the level of professionalism is quite evident. They go to great lengths to ensure the level of service and the needs of the people they serve are met beyond expectations. It is a pleasure and honor to say that I ave been blessed to know the great crew at Bello Machre.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing how dedicated they are to the health status of the clients they serve.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I truly cannot think of any.
The people at Bello Machre from the directors to the volunteers put their hearts and souls into creating fantastic homes and programs for all of their clients. I feel the warmth, love and caring every time I am with any of their staff, and it is reflected in the faces of those they serve.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Working with the staff on many projects, they are "big-picture" thinkers with the goal of helping as many people as possible. We have achieved some amazing results in my years of working with Bello!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I can't think of a thing I would change!
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
The need for a theraputic bathtub for a newly renovated home for residents.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
To fulfill a need.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I love Bello Machre! I have been fortunate to serve this organization in a variety of ways! I have been an emloyee, have a relative who receives services from Bello and continue to be a donor. Bello strives for excellence. Under the direction of Dr. Ireland and his management team, Bello continues to have a vision which is always person centered. Their dedicated staff work tirelessly and selfishly when providing supports to individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. I am proud to be associated with such an outstanding organization!
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
watching the staff provide excellent care and support to those they serve!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
to provide more services to meet the needs of the community.
I first learned about Bello Machre, about 4 years ago, by helping my young daughter make greeting cards (at our temple) to be distributed to the Bello Machre residents. They love receiving mail, just like anyone else... I've been told residents will hang their cards up (signed, "Your friend") and show it off to anyone who comes to visit! I was curious about the organization and wanted my daughter to understand who would be receiving her cards. In addition to heading up the yearly card making project, I started organizing home visits w/ the young children of our temple to different Bello Machre homes - to make crafts, share a snack and spend some time. It was amazing how much EVERYONE enjoyed these visits. We then organized the same thing for a group of 7th graders, as part of their volunteer/giving back to the community project. At this particular home, a gentleman loves music, so we brought instruments and had a jam session. This same man was recently married and his wife loved showing off her wedding album to the girls. Some of those kids have become regular volunteers w/ Bello Machre. For the past year, I have been taking my 2 daughters (ages 3 & 7) to a Bello Machre home for a monthly visit. We have become friends w/ 4 wonderful women (3 residents and one care taker) and we all look forward to seeing each other and catching up on what has happened since we last hung out. We mostly do crafts, sometimes play games and always share a snack or meal. It's been so fun having 4 more people enjoy watching my children grow. It is important to me that all children do not grow up w/ prejudices against disabled people. One parent of the above 7th graders actually told me that I opened her eyes and taught her tolerance, through her son's great experience with Bello Machre. I can't take the credit. Bello Machre is an amazing organization, providing such loving care to people in need. They help families feel secure that their adult children/family members will be not only provided for, but given a chance to thrive. I love that the homes are in residential neighborhoods, that they provide jobs or day services for the individuals and treat them with the respect they deserve. The volunteer coordinators have spoken to different groups at our temple. They are amazing in educating and inspiring people about Bello Machre. I feel volunteering at Bello Machre has enriched people's lives. In return, it has definitely enriched my family's life, as well.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing the joy on Joyce's face when I arrive with a craft to do together. Or when my girls are sad because a visit needs to be rescheduled ("We really wanted to go to Bello Machre today, Mommy!"). And in knowing that Bello Machre has touched the lives of their residents and those in the community.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
reach out more to the local schools for volunteers.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
I can't think of any changes.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
It has been very rewarding to know we are enriching people's lives, and also very fulfilling that they are enriching ours as well.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Great.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I just started volunteering with Bello Machre this year and I'm glad I did. I have been exposed to a community that respects, supports and love one another. Everyone chips in to make sure an event is successful. I have never worked this closely with individuals with disabilities but whether in a wheelchair or speech impaired each of them show gratitude for the opportunity to interact with you. They are very comfortable with who they are and therefore it puts you at ease when talking or working with them. Again, I am very thankful that I am able to be a part of such a great community especially one that appreciates even the smallest amount of contribution or time you may have to give.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
If you look at or talk to the clients you can tell this organization cares and they work with the volunteers to make sure they are placed in areas that is comfortable for both the client, organization and individual.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Since I don't participate in everything, I can only comment on the things I have seen so for now I don't see anything that needs changing.
I am now a lifetime board member and also the mother of a Bello Machre resident. Bello Machre saved my life, my son's life and his brother's life. I worried about what would happen to my son if I was not around. That is something that Bello has taken off my shoulder's and his brother's. My son has never been so happy and contend as he is with his Bello family. My son does not talk but he will let me know in other ways if he is not happy. I can truly say that it is so wonderful to see that he has gotten so content with his Bello family that he is always ready to go back to his house. He loves to see me and the rest of the family but when it comes time to go back to his house he is ready. The services that Bello provides is the same as any family would provide for their family members and more. I am kept informed of the good things and also of any problems. My son is treated with respect and love. In "so called normal" families the love and respect is not always there, but with Bello it is the "normal".
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The care given my son.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Increase the amount of funding for disabled people.
I am now a lifetime board member and also the mother of a Bello Machre resident. Bello Machre saved my life, my son's life and his brother's life. I worried about what would happen to my son if I was not around. That is something that Bello has taken off my shoulder's and his brother's. My son has never been so happy and contend as he is with his Bello family. My son does not talk but he will let me know in other ways if he is not happy. I can truly say that it is so wonderful to see that he has gotten so content with his Bello family that he is always ready to go back to his house. He loves to see me and the rest of the family but when it comes time to go back to his house he is ready. The services that Bello provides is the same as any family would provide for their family members and more. I am kept informed of the good things and also of any problems. My son is treated with respect and love. In "so called normal" families the love and respect is not always there, but with Bello it is the "normal".
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The care given my son.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Increase the amount of funding for disabled people.