Hertha & Jesse Adams
Ray of Hope Program

Providing Funding that Makes a Difference for Individuals with Disabilities

What’s New?

With the start of the fiscal year, there will be a few new changes to the original Ray of Hope Program.

The Ray of Hope Program will now operate in quarterly cycles meaning the application will be made available at the start of each quarter.

The application will be removed from the website, once we’ve awarded all of our funds for the cycle. Don’t worry! The application will be back at the beginning of the next cycle.

With these new changes, applicants will apply only once per year and will have until the end of the quarter in which they applied, to spend all of their $1,000 total.

As of July 1st, the application for Ray of Hope funding is now available below.

Once all funds for this quarter have been awarded, we will reopen the application at the start of the next quarter, October 1st.

What is Ray of Hope?

Bello Machre’s Ray of Hope program provides funding to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for a variety of needs, from specialized summer camp to physical therapy to adaptive equipment expenses. Since 2011, we have provided Ray of Hope funding to hundreds of Maryland-based individuals and families to help improve the quality of life of their loved ones with disabilities.

Applying for our Ray of Hope Program will not affect you or your loved one’s other funding opportunities. It is one of the many ways we can support you and your family’s journey!

Who does Ray of Hope help?

As an individual or family member of a loved one with a disability, you want to ensure that you or your loved one has every opportunity to live a full, independent, and rich life.

Designed and funded by Bello Machre, Ray of Hope supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages in Maryland. The program provides individuals with financial support regardless of whether or not they receive funding from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Specifically, the program supports individuals with disabilities who:

Need funding for anything else that might improve quality of life
Are not yet deemed eligible for services through the DDA
Face gaps in funding (i.e., insurance or other funding won’t cover certain medications, appointments, etc.)

How Does Ray of Hope Help Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities?

Examples include:

Children: Sensory and educational toys; learning tools and aids; medical expenses, such as supplemental therapy; medical equipment; and recreational activities such as clubs, groups, camps, and lessons.
Teens: Community services that build independence; camp and recreational activities; educational opportunities; trade education; medical expenses; and medical equipment.
Adults: Educational and social groups that aid community integration; independent life skills development; home and residential support; medical expenses; and medical equipment.
Seniors: Medical expenses and equipment; transportation; groceries.

Ray of Hope Testimonials

“When you have a child with special needs, expenses rack up quickly, and there are always endless items they need that could help them with their development. Having to put your child’s development needs on hold because of money is never an easy decision, but Ray of Hope is giving us well, a ray of hope for Mason’s communication abilities! Thank you for supporting my son and giving him the opportunity, he needed.”

-Hannah, Mason’s Mother

“Vera is a passionate and vibrant child with a smile that lights up the room. As she has grown, she’s struggled with anxiety, flexibility, and emotional regulation, where new things and changes cause a lot of fear. She’s found an ally in her occupied therapist who has helped identify sensory needs and build strength in motor deficits. These products will help Vera continue to grow in self-regulation, meeting her sensory needs and giving her safe spaces in an ever-changing world”

-Dana, Vera’s Mother

“These are my girls Arabella and Isabella Gilbert. They are a ray of sunshine. They are 7 years old and are both struggling with neurodiverse symptoms. We have struggled financially to be able to help them get the resources they’ve needed such as reading tutoring, reading aids and aids to help them regulate their emotions. It’s been such an answered prayer to have been helped by the Ray of Hope grant.”

-Sharice, Mother of Arabella & Isabella

Ray of Hope Program Details

There are no age requirements for the Ray of Hope program.
At this point in time, our Ray of Hope program will only be providing funding to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities located in Maryland.
Under MOST circumstances, funding will only be provided in support of future purchases. It is preferred, that Bello Machre make the payment directly to the service or item vendor.
The Ray of Hope Program operates in quarterly cycles meaning the application will be made available at the start of each quarter. The current quarter begins on October 1st, 2024.
- The application will be removed from the website, once we’ve awarded all of our funds for the cycle. Don’t worry! The application will be back at the beginning of the next cycle.
Individuals can apply for up to $1,000 in financial support each fiscal year. (July 1^st – June 30^th)
- Applicants will apply only once per year and will have until the end of the quarter in which they applied, to spend all of their $1,000 total.

Receival of past grant funding will be taken into consideration when awarding Ray of Hope funds in the future. We do this so that we can maximize the impact of our program and help as many individuals as possible.

Not sure if you’re eligible?

Call us at 443-702-3000 with any questions.

How is Ray of Hope Funded?

Bello Machre is fortunate to have been included as a beneficiary of the Hertha and Jesse Adams Charitable Trust. Jesse Adams, founder of Adams Enterprises, was a very successful developer in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Jesse was married to Hertha Sur for over 60 years, and without any heirs, they established the Trust.

The Adams’s Trust gifts have touched hundreds of people served by Bello Machre. The Trust initially helped fund Bello Machre’s Respite Care Home in the 2001. In 2010, the Respite Care Home was closed, and the funding was redirected to Bello Machre’s Ray of Hope Program. In honor of the Hertha and Jesse Adams, the program was named the Hertha and Jesse Adams Ray of Hope Program in 2013. This incredible generosity spans over 20 years and $1 million.