PATCH PICKS: Non-Profits Making a Difference

If you type "non-profit" into Wikipedia, you'll find this description: "An organization that does not distribute its surplus funds to owners or shareholders, but instead uses them to help pursue its goals." The many people who work for and with non-profit organizations in Harford County do not do it for their own financial gain; they do it out of kindness and respect for the community. There are countless non-profits based in and near Bel Air that aim to better all types of individuals and causes; below, we've highlighted just five of these exceptional organizations. 

LASOS (Linking All So Others Succeed)

• What: LASOS assists non-English speaking residents by providing helpful resources during the process of integration into American society. LASOS offers translation and adult literary services, bilingual youth mentoring programs and ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. In doing so, LASOS encourages residents to contribute and communicate more effectively in their families, workplaces and communities. 

• Where: 31 W. Courtland St.  

The Mann House

• What: The Mann House is a private, non-profit recovery home for men that has been successfully serving the community for 37 years.  At the , recovery from devastating addictions is practiced through strict discipline, accountability, close connections to alumni and the recovery community at large; there is a strong emphasis placed on hard work, counseling, spirituality, proper diet, exercise, 12-step programs and time. 
• Where: 14 Williams St. 

The Maryland Conservatory of Music

• What: The Maryland Conservatory of music offers rewarding, quality music training and experiences to adults and children. All students are considered for scholarships based on merit and need. offers private lessons, musicianship classes (theory, history, ear training, open topics), ensembles (choirs, chamber music, percussion groups, jazz combos) and a Community Performance Program (where students perform throughout the community in various situations). 
• Where: 701 Churchville Rd. 

SARC

• What: SARC (Safety, Awareness, Resources, Change) works to create a society that is free from abuse and fear by ending domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking. Established in 1978 as a grassroots effort by Harford County residents, SARC has now grown to include a domestic violence program serving victims, batterers and children. It also has a sexual violence program serving adult and child victims, a legal advocacy program serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, a 28-bed emergency shelter, community outreach and education services, a 24-hour helpline and an administrative staff.
• Where: www.sarc-maryland.org

Pets On Wheels

• What: Pets On Wheels is a volunteer organization that provides friendly visits from volunteers and their pets to those requiring the support of an institutional setting such as nursing homes, assisted living communities, facilities for the physically and mentally challenged and, most recently, veterans hospitals and programs for the homeless. emphasizes work with residents who have been unresponsive to ongoing activities (such as Alzheimer's patients who have impaired cognitive abilities but react to animals with more awareness than the people around them). 
• Where: www.petsonwheels.org

Quilts For Heroes

• What: Quilts for Heroes meets weekly to create handmade quilts for wounded warfighters recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center. They have presented over 400 quilts to Walter Reed and, additionally, have presented quilts to local families who have lost loved ones in military service. 
• Where: The group meets at APG-EA (Edgewood Post) Chapel on Monday evenings (except for the third week of the month and federal holidays) from 4:30-8 p.m. For more information, contact Carol Hansen at 443-752-2603 or cshansen@comcast.net.