The Advocate

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

- Helen Keller

The Harford Center is fueled by hope and optimism. The people at the Harford Center are driven to achieve their goals. Each person at the Harford Center has goals that are specific to him/herself. One’s personal goals are as unique as each of the people we support. One person may have a goal to work and earn money to increase his/her independence, while another person’s goal might be to improve his/her skills in technology. Some of the participants’ goals are around making friends, being in their community, and volunteering. Each person’s goals, hopes, and dreams are of equal importance. We strive each day to encourage those who attend the Harford Center to set their sights on their dreams. The Harford Center is unique in that it welcomes and supports individuals with various abilities. In life, there are challenges; these are to be expected. We don’t let life’s challenges hold back the dreams of our participants. Through our partnerships, generous donors, and lots of creativity, we are able to provide the highest quality of care, support people each day in achieving their goals, and be active participants in our community. The members of the Harford Center, both staff and participants, care about our community. We are actively seeking job and volunteer opportunities for our participants. As you know, the Nation is in a workforce crisis. However, we can all work together to help by hiring people with disabilities, by giving everyone a chance to achieve his/her goals, and by embracing hope and confidence in everything we do for our community and its members.

-Sherry Nolte, LCSW-C

Executive Director

On June 19th, we celebrated Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, marking the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned that they were free. It has been an official holiday in Texas since 1979, but it just became a federal holiday in 2021. Many of us did not learn about the significance of Juneteenth in school. Please take a little bit of time with the resources found on this website and learn more about this important day in American history.

And the Winners Are....

We just held our 2022 Accessibility Awards. We asked our website users to tell us about Harford County's friendliest and most accessible places for people with disabilities. The winners are below!

Most Accessible,

Retail Category: Aberdeen ReStore

Top Comment:

"Not only are the office and ReStore accessible, but they build homes that are modified according to the homebuyers' needs. They have built homes with bathrooms that are wheelchair accessible, for example. They also have a repair program where they build access ramps, remodel bathrooms to be accessible, and provide other ADA modifications to existing homes for low-income homeowners who can't afford it. They provide independence and dignity to low-income families, seniors, and veteran homeowners. As a service to the community, they have built access ramps for other nonprofits, such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Arc. Habitat Susquehanna is not only accessible themselves, but are working hard to improve accessibility throughout the community."

Thank you to everyone who voted,

and thank you to the wonderful establishments that welcome

and include us!

Most Accessible,

Activities Category: Forest Hill Lanes

Top Comment:

"Our groups have built a strong relationship with Forest Hill Lanes. After the pandemic hit we were extremely limited in what we could participate in. Forest Hill Lanes was one of the first locations to re-open their doors to us. The owner has always treated us well and been accommodating to our groups and their needs. The doors are wide enough for wheelchairs and walkers to move through comfortably. Parking is accessible and in abundance for the times we attend. The pricing is fair for adults with differing abilities who are on a budget. Lastly, staff treat our individuals with dignity and respect."

Most Accessible

Grocery or Restaurant:

Joppa Amish Market

Top Comment:

"Delicious Food And loving family Operators. [Redacted for privacy] and I have felt welcome there for the past year."

Staff Updates

Other Center News

Tickets and Sponsorships are on sale now. Click here for details!

We celebrated FY22 at our annual Board Meeting!

We're looking forward to an amazing FY23!

Nothing says "Summer's Here" like the

Kona Ice truck at The Harford Center!

Make sure to keep hydrated all summer long!

4th of July Celebrations!

Click here for details about

events in Havre de Grace!

Click here for details about

events in Bel Air!

Summer is the best time of the year for most kids. Unfortunately, a lot of kids experience food insecurity in the summer as well. Harford County Public Schools is participating in the Summer Food Service Program to provide free meals to people under the age of 18 at several local libraries, churches Boys and Girls Clubs, and other convenient locations. Income verification is not required; meals are free of charge to all children under the age of 18.

For a complete list of free summer meal locations, click here.

Things to Do in Harford County This Summer!

Click here to view Visit Harford's Summertime Fun events announcement!

Tuesdays:

Every Tuesday is Senior Day at Fiore Winery! 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

3026 Whiteford Road in Pylesville

Fridays:

Havre de Grace First Fridays 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

4th Fridays at The Grove 4:00-7:30 PM 3519 Conowingo Park in Street

Saturdays:

Havre de Grace Farmer's Market 8:30 AM - Noon

100 Block of Saint John's Street and Hutchins Park

Bel Air Farmer's Market 8:00 AM - Noon

2 S. Bond Street in Bel Air

Second Saturdays Music and Vendors 3:00 - 8:00 PM

Aberdeen Festival Park

Sundays:

Concord Point Lighthouse War of 1812 Exhibit 1:00 - 5:00 PM in Havre de Grace

All The Time:

Nature Activities for The Whole Family at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center

Click here for schedule!

Indoor Music Summer Series at Harford Vineyard

Click here to visit site!

Click here for the Parks & Rec Schedule!

Click here for Visit Harford's Calendar of Events!

Apple is introducing a host of new products for improved accessibility. They are launching Door Detection to help people with blindness or low vision safely navigate their environments, Live Captions for people with hearing impairment, and SIri Pause Time, which prevents Siri from starting a search until the person speaking has finished making the request even if it takes a while to get the words out. Apple Maps also features a new guide called Park Access for all, which directs people to National Parks that are accessible. Click here for a list of all the new features, and click here to see a complete list of Apple's already-launched accessibility features.
Microsoft is also stepping up to the plate with an innovative line of accessories for people with disabilities, including mice and buttons that can be 3D printed to your own specifications. Check out their new adaptive accessory line here!
The Labor department has released a new set of federal guidelines for employers paying sub-minimum wage to employees with disabilities (see complete guidelines here). Only ten states have phased out or started the process of phasing out sub-minimum wage (including Maryland). Hopefully, these guidelines will improve conditions in states where sub-minimum wage is still the standard. The new guidelines are thought to be a response to a lawsuit the Labor department is bringing against Special K ranch in Montana, where 35 workers were allegedly being paid under $1.50 per hour and were being given no career counseling.