Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services, Inc. (LARS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving homeless and low-income families and individuals in Laurel, Maryland. Our service area includes parts of Prince George's (zip codes 20707 and 20708), Howard (20723), and Anne Arundel (20724) Counties. LARS was founded in 1987 by a group of local congregation leaders and community members who sought a consolidated approach to responding to those who came to their doors for food and financial help. Today LARS is staffed by trained social workers and continues to receive financial and volunteer support from its founding faith-based partner organizations. LARS' mission is to enable homeless and low-income people in crisis to achieve stability and long-term self-sufficiency. Our Mission is to enable homeless and low-income people in Laurel who are in crisis to achieve stability and long-term self-sufficiency. Our Vision is a community that treats all people with dignity and helps everyone meet their basic needs. LARS offers a number of emergency services to Laurel residents three days a week, including: short-term financial assistance to prevent evictions and utility stoppage; assistance with security deposits and first month’s rent; vouchers for eyeglasses, hearing aids, clothing and furniture; referrals for shelter; and a food pantry. LARS assists homeless clients with obtaining ID cards and birth certificates, prescriptions, drug treatment, and mental health needs. LARS operates a Supportive Housing Program, which provides subsidized housing and long-term supportive services to 22 chronically homeless and disabled individuals and families who live in local apartments leased by LARS. LARS' Self-Sufficiency Program provides more intensive case management/mentoring to 5-6 stabilized and motivated households who work closely with a LARS case manager to maintain permanent housing, improve financial habits, gain employment, and remove other barriers to self-sufficiency.