Bello Machre Has Been A Guiding Light For Five Decades

Nonprofit Will Be Beneficiary Of Fifth Annual Art In The Park

Bello Machre has grown throughout Anne Arundel and Carroll counties to include 56 residential homes that house a total of 200 adults. The nonprofit also assists more than 200 children and adults in their own homes or family residences.

Bello Machre helps individuals with developmental disabilities maintain their independence.

The nonprofit is always seeking job training and learning opportunities to benefit the people it serves.

Posted Wednesday, September 3, 2025 3:05 pm

Summer Strides

Bello Machre had a busy summer, launching its own nursing department and announcing a new $250,000 grant to support maintenance of its homes across Maryland.

Nursing Update - By bringing nursing services in-house, Bello Machre hopes to enhance the consistency, timeliness, and quality of care for people with developmental disabilities while providing added support for the dedicated staff who care for them every day.

Phillips Charitable Foundation Home Fund - Thanks to a generous $250,000 grant from the Phillips Charitable Foundation, Bello Machre has established the Phillips Charitable Foundation Home Maintenance Fund, which ensures the long-term care, safety, and sustainability of its community homes across Maryland.

By Margaret Bates

Parents of children with developmental disabilities founded Bello Machre in 1972. At the time, there weren’t many options for caring for people with disabilities, and these parents wanted a third option between being the sole care providers or sending their children to institutions. They founded the nonprofit, which started with four group homes on a secluded campus, over 50 years ago as a solution.

In the intervening decades, Bello Machre has grown throughout Anne Arundel and Carroll counties to include 56 residential homes that house a total of 200 adults. The nonprofit also assists more than 200 children and adults in their own homes or family residences.

Dr. Robert Ireland has served as Bello Machre’s president and CEO since 1979.

“When I was a teenager, my family adopted my younger three siblings and they have intellectual disabilities, so I was grown up in it,” Ireland said.

Since he joined the organization, Ireland has noticed more infants surviving and living fulfilling lives, though “the need never stops” when it comes to providing them with the resources they need so they can thrive.

Hunter Jackson, marketing director for Bello Machre, explained one of the biggest changes over the decades has been the nonprofit’s mission to integrate into the community at large. Since 2010, Bello Machre has focused not only on housing but also on developing community-based opportunities for its residents. Jackson said part of the organization’s goals include “finding meaningful opportunities and activities in the community” for the individuals living there.

These opportunities include employment training and jobs in the area, including at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland and Royal Farms. The meaningful day programs also focus on increasing learning opportunities, whether by trips to visit local businesses or speakers presenting at the homes. As Jackson said, these learning opportunities and excursions help the residents “build the foundation for a fantastic life.”

Currently, Bello Machre is looking for community-based businesses that can work with them for excursions and for individuals who might want to come to talk to their residents. Jackson stressed that anyone should feel free to reach out; even a job that seems ordinary could provide a learning adventure.

One of the goals of the organization is to help the residents “tap into their potential and expand their social networks.” Part of that includes providing a variety of experiences and community partnerships, so any excursion opportunity is welcome.

Bello Machre also offers funds to help with medical supplies, specialized summer camps, or other individual needs through the Ray of Hope grant. The online application is brief and easy to navigate.

Bello Machre is also planning open houses so that members of the wider Anne Arundel and Carroll County communities can get to know the organization better and understand its mission. The nonprofit also welcomes volunteers. If community members want to become directly involved, they can fill out volunteer opportunity forms online. There’s also an Amazon wish list and a donation page that generous donors can peruse and make contributions.

On September 10, Bello Machre will partner with Tential for its 41st annual charity golf tournament at the Queenstown Harbor Golf Resort.

Bello Machre continues to advance its mission to provide loving care, opportunity and guidance for people with developmental disabilities in Maryland. Jackson stressed that the nonprofit is a “guiding light” for the disability community, and he encouraged people to reach out.

“Know that we're here as a resource, and we're ready to help. If anybody is looking for a service provider, we're more than happy to have that conversation,” he said.

Learn more at www.bellomachre.org.

Bello Machre will be the nonprofit beneficiary of the fifth annual Art in the Park live music and arts festival on Sunday, October 5. Art in the Park is hosted jointly by Cafe Mezzanotte and the Severna Park Voice. Attendees can look forward to live musical performances, demonstrations by local artists and galleries, an all-you-can-eat gourmet picnic, a wine garden and more. Purchase tickets at www.cafemezzanotte.com/#events.