| Last updated on September 15, 2008 |
Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services, Inc. (LARS) is a grassroots non-profit organization that has been serving the Greater Laurel community for the last 21 years. LARS assists individuals and families who are in crisis by helping them gain support and skills to maintain self-sufficiency.
Description:
LARS programs include:
Emergency Services
Through the Emergency Services Program (ESP), LARS provides support for the community in numerous facets, including, but not limited to, the following: financial assistance to prevent community evictions and utility stoppage; assistance with security deposits, first months rent, drug treatment and certain mental and physical health needs, including eye glasses and hearing aides; providing supplies and/or some financial support for clients to get the needed materials to start to work; and, providing referrals for shelter, clothing and furniture.
Transitional Housing
The Transitional Housing Program (THP) provides support for 10 chronically homeless families for a period of up to twenty-four months. The families in this program (mainly women and their children) live in apartments that LARS leases throughout the Laurel community. During a families stay in our THP the parent(s) are supported with various services including, but not limited to, the following: individual service plans where specific goals are identified and frequently evaluated for individual progress; weekly case management visits; drug and mental health treatment; job search support, including classes that are required for resume writing and enhancing interviewing skills; opportunities to attend training to learn a skill or trade; parenting and financial management classes; financial assistance for day care, summer camps and educational/recreational programs for their children; and, weekly group meetings.
Veteran’s Assistance
LARS works with the Veteran’s Administration (VA) in Silver Spring to meet the need of veterans seeking an array of services. When clients are identified as veterans they either travel to the Silver Spring office to be evaluated for services, or, in some circumstances, the VA will send a representative to LARS.
Food Pantry
The LARS food pantry is coordinated by the efforts of several community volunteers who facilitate the intake and organization of donated and purchased food. This is the only program that solely operates with volunteer power.
In addition to the pantry food, a few dedicated volunteers from the community have a coordinated a schedule where they pick-up outdated bread and baked goods from local grocery stores, and in 2007 we added Panera Bread to our list of suppliers. These items are brought to the LARS lobby and left for community members to pick-up during office hours. Any individual can walk-in and take these items.
SHARE Food
SHARE Food is a surplus food program that is coordinated by the Knight’s of Columbus for LARS and other community members who wish to participate. The only commitment required by SHARE is that the recipient provides two hours of community service of their choosing for each month that they purchase a SHARE package. You can view the SHARE menus, place your order, and pick-up SHARE food at LARS. LARS largely supplements our food pantry with SHARE food packages that are purchased with LARS grant money or donated by the Knights of Columbus.
Employment Services
LARS provides a community computer lab that is available for LARS clients (by appointment only) to use to complete employment applications, resumes, and cover letters. A LARS staff member is available on Monday’s to assist clients in the computer lab.
Holiday Program
LARS provides food and gifts to families with a proven need during the holiday season. This program is staffed with one seasonal employee, but is only successful because of the overwhelming community support that LARS receives for this program. Generally, LARS serves more than 100 families for both the Thanksgiving and the December holidays.
Back To School
LARS continued the tradition last year of collecting and distributing school supplies to local families who were in need. LARS estimates that over $7,000 in supplies and books were distributed from this effort.
History:
LARS was founded in 1987 by the Laurel Clergy Association (LCA)when a group of local clergy found that individuals were going from church to church in attempt to meet the same need. The clergy collectively pulled their resources together and hired a social worker to oversee the operation. Since that time LARS has grown to serve more than 1,300 individuals and families in need each year, and we currently employ four full-time staff members and two part-timers in addition to utilizing several essential volunteers for our day-to-day operation. LARS currently has 16 local congregations that make up our Board of Directors.
Contact person: Nancy Graham, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (301) 604-7076
Address:
Web Site: http://www.laureladvocacy.org
Miscellaneous Information
| Governmental Agency? |
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No
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