I came to the society to make a donation and to see what cats were available for adoption. I have…read morerecently lost my 21 year old cat and wanted another lap cat. When I visited the first time, a lap cat who was just spayed, locked her eyes on me....I thought a match! The large man working at the facility said the cat was not up for adoption. He also did not tell me ANYTHING about the process and need to file an "application" online. He only said, after much prodding, it would be a few weeks before the cat would be up for adoption, and I should check back on the website in a few weeks. I will say he was very "STAND-OFF-ISH" to me for an unknown reason. I came back the next week, and the cat was not there. I was told from a more friendly man, that the cat was having its stiches removed and another week or so before the cat would be ready for adoption. But unfortunately, he too did not tell me about the adoption process and need for an online application. Why would people whom are trying to get animals adopted, not tell them about the application process? WHAT ELSE ARE THEY HIDDING?

I did some vaccination services for both of my animals here. One caveat being that they only had…read morethe six month regimens at the time, and in vet offices you can probably do the one year instead. Will need to sit down and crunch the numbers between one or the other. There isn't a lot of room inside so you'll probably sit outside in your car, pets go in and the waiting begins in the lot. Will update this review with the pricing when I sort out my documentation

A great co networking space exclusively for 503C nonprofits…read more They offer a grant writing clinic class at nonprofit village $1800 a year for networking workspace for Maryland nonprofits. The first and only nonprofit incubator workspace in the area. 14 spaces still available Over 10,000 sq ft of space Contact them for a tour!

Great place to work at!!! You have access to a copier/fax, "hot desks", free wifi, free parking,…read morekitchen, and conference rooms. There are also many events that you can participate in such as educational workshops. In addition, you can get various memberships for discounted rates on programs, workshops and events all for a great price!! The village is a shared space for nonprofits, it is their home.

The reviews were right for this place and for Missy! While I did not find my dress (YET), I loved…read morethe feel of this place, its mission, and people so I plan to come back again as they continue to update their inventory. I arrived a few minutes early. It's not a huge space but they made a pretty spacious dressing room. There are a full racks lining the walls and a few in the middle. They seem really well organized by size for easier browsing. The space is clean and neat. There was another bride trying on dresses but Missy said hi and introduced herself and asked for a moment as another bride finished up her appointment so I took a seat. The experience was great. I came by myself since my friends could not clear their schedules in time given my quick scheduling. The place is called Fairytale and it did feel like Missy could be a fairy godmother. She had referenced the images I shared for inspo and had found a couple dresses like them for me to try. She also noticed I wasn't feeling quite comfortable in how I looked and was so encouraging. She suggested a couple of other dresses that I ended up liking more than I expected. She was showing how certain other dresses or details can help me feel like the right things are accentuated. She also gave some really helpful tips including dress timeline, tailoring, and candid yet kind thoughts. I did not catch the name of the other staff who was helping her but she was also awesome. They both helped me in and out of dresses. The other person also helped take pictures for me to reference later and even came running out with my phone when I left without it and only realized when I got in my car. They were both great. I highly recommend this place. There were some really pretty dresses for nice prices. A bit lighter for my size range but still options. The experience was also quite nice. As a bride, you often have a lot on your mind and I felt so supported throughout this visit while feeling like they had my best interest in mind. I'll be back!

I had a truly wonderful experience shopping for my dress with Missy and Tessa. Missy was very…read moreknowledgeable and attentive. Tessa was kind and warm. They are such a welcoming and caring team who really have a heart for what they do. I could tell they truly cared about making sure I found the best dress for me and that they genuinely wanted to offer support and guidance that would help make the process more seamless for me. Missy literally went the extra mile in making sure I got my absolutely beautiful dress. After my initial visit, she came back out to the shop again the next morning--on a day when she was not scheduled to volunteer!--just to assist me :)

Where to begin? During the course of a two year period during which someone I know was homeless in…read moreMontgomery County I found myself in the position of advocate for her with respect to her participation in programs run by the Mont. Co. Coalition for the Homeless ("MCCH"). I would love to be able to write that this is a wonderful organization that takes pride in the fact that hundreds of people are helped by it's programs each week, but I can not. The truth is that it is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that holds contracts with and through the County's government. The employees at the office on Gude Drive became incensed when I wrote on behalf of my friend, whom was given off-label dosing of two dangerous psychotropic drugs: "Seroquel" and "Depakote" allegedly to help her with post traumatic stress disorder. The drugs caused a severe reaction and she developed a rash on her face and body, a kidney infection and began to slur her words when speaking. She also had a slow unsteady gait and an affect that was completely at odds with her usual way of behaving. Concerned after she called me and spoke almost incomprehensibly and with slurred words from the Montgomery County Crisis Center, where she had been referred by the MCCH, I called and wrote both agencies. I followed up with a back-and-forth about the individual with MCCH and other county agencies over a two year period. The MCCH personnel who were my friend's "case managers" were unconcerned with either her severe reactions to the improperly administered drugs or by the fact that I was writing them because I was troubled by what I had witnessed. They flatly refused to hold forth even a flimsy excuse for the alarming and catastrophic incident; furthermore they did not accept responsibility for something that they had clearly initiated and implemented. I learned a story of a corrupt and often confused group of individuals whom form the backbone of the organization; they seem disorganized, disinterested and disinclined to assist those whom the organization's mission statement purports the MCCH has dedicated itself to help. I saw mediocre performances by employees, programs that consist of virtually no discernibly helpful goals or practical protocols, and a good deal of obfuscation about where money collected by this nonprofit from it's sponsors and donors is actually being used. When questioned about their unorthodox and murky practices, reps from this agency become hostile in a manner that would be truly frightening if it weren't for the fact that they don't seem able to comprehend the illegal nature of some of their written statements. They wrote me several threatening letters that I promptly turned over to my attorney who in turn, wrote them of my option to press criminal charges or file a civil case against them. They hastily ceased writing me threats; but simply refused to answer my questions about the health and safety of my friend. This from a public nonprofit organization that operates through donations and contracts with local government, which equates ultimately to county-residents tax dollars. I would not recommend this agency as a worthwhile recipient of any donations and even less as a nonprofit truly dedicated to helping the homeless of Montgomery County; Many of those running the place are far more interested in how many minutes it is until 4:30 pm or in misdirecting the vulnerable homeless individuals. In some cases that includes collecting a third of homeless people's monthly social security or disability income and using it for questionable purposes (deemed "overhead" costs on it's annual form 990 tax returns.

Nothing has changed, The MCCH is still sending me disreputable text to my questions of why they are…read moreusing HUD 2015 expired form to calculate my rent. During this COVID19 pandemic I cant get out to gi to the grocery store due to preexisting conditions. My housing subsuidized by moco Maryland MCCH has no lease with the property management. HUD isn't able to help because the MoCo HHRS contracts organizations not applicable to be independently monitored or audited

I see something wild and free emerging in her after a few weeks. She posts dance philosophy on her…read morewall, speaks constantly of your methods, her posture... She doesn't act like a child who has been trafficked anymore. Today she stands up. Thank you from, https://motherforce.us/

Beginner classes should be for beginners. Some instructors were training people who were already…read morefamiliar with the movements. They did not direct others who required supervision too. Few instructors were wonderful. But many were just going through motions.

i loved our finds! we were able to get a nice couch for $40 and dining table for $60, after their…read more20% storewide discount. the staff were super helpful, and even helped us squish our couch into a sedan. we couldn't get the table apart, but the staff were very responsive and patient, as we were asking for different tools. highly recommend a thrift trip here for household goods!

I joined a friend to run errands and this was one of her stops. She previously purchased some…read moreflooring/tile here and wanted to see what was in stock today. I was shocked at how huge the store was. Some of the items were pretty pricey, but most of what I saw was in great condition. Lots of light fixtures , couches , some refrigerators, and even a HUMONGOUS bed. I ended up leaving with a TV for $45. Can't beat that. Before checking out the volunteers plugged it in and made sure it worked before selling it to me. I definitely appreciated that. The volunteer even insisted she carry the TV out to the car for me. Very unexpected!

The kind of place I wish I had nearby growing up! Bring your family, your date, or the people you…read morewant to introduce to nature or local history. And especially bird&insect photographers. It's free! You might know it only as an event venue, but there's: * Nice walking trails and farm country views. * A few segments would count as hiking if you want to introduce somebody! * Creekside access in the woods. Fiddling around a natural creek is a formative experience * A selection of beautiful older trees that survived from colonial times * Including a massive ancient white oak, Maryland's state tree and quite rare now. If you've never seen a "big tree" in person this is a must-see. It has presence. * Restored buildings and history displays * A resident ambassador owl. Go closer to dusk to see him active * Restored natural meadows (great macro photography) * Examples of bee keeping, different types of gardening, etc. Lots to play / do / learn, or for us older folks, walking around and taking photos. A couple of notes: * hours on maps are for the venue, the grounds are actually open dawn-to-dusk * the hiking is pretty mild but there's a lot to see. * alltrails isn't accurate for many of the paths, but everything is really well signed (or grab the map from their own website) * if you're doing the full circuit of trails, wear those ankle-support shoes/boots - it might seem silly for the easy terrain, but the angle of the farm trails is "hard" in sneakers, and you'll appreciate that support. Enjoy it! Another Howard County gem.

Such a wonderful place that I never knew existed until this weekend when We attended a wedding…read morehere. Actually, I officiated. So, I got to check out the grounds around the main building before the bride and groom arrived for rehearsal. They have a wonderful wandering Garden with Fountains and water features. I could sit by a loud water feature for hours. The wedding was in the garden, but the facility had prepared the Veranda in case the rain didn't clear up. In addition to the new main structure, they have Historical buildings and Summer camps.

What a true gem. Great jazz, local music heads with decades of stories & wisdom to share, a fish…read morefry(!), and great art on the walls. This place feels like an institution the moment you walk in, and I'm honored to just spend a little time inside. Go support this great venue and community space!

What a lovely venue! This jazz and cultural nonprofit is named after Alice, its founder. According…read moreto their website, they play every Wednesday and Sunday with typically a $5 cover, unless otherwise specified. The space is small and intimate, with photos aplenty hung all over the the walls. The staff was so welcoming and warm. We came on a Wednesday evening and it was obvious that most of the patrons were regulars. The host made sure to check in multiple times to see how we were doing as well as to provide some history about the place. You can expect a live band from 6:30-9pm with a 30 minute intermission in between. A quartet (bass, drums, saxophone, and trombone) played the night we were there, and it was great. During the intermission, dinner is provided for purchase from the kitchen in the back. They had a few options, all for $10. My friend and I shared fish and chips, and turkey chili with cornbread. I was quite impressed with how much the two chefs were able to accomplish in such a small space. TLDR: Come for great jazz and affordable food, all while supporting a neighborhood nonprofit. Note that no alcohol is served.

There are quite literally not enough words to describe how much we love and appreciate every aspect…read moreof this center. When you are looking for a center, if the administrative staff is beyond communicative, if teachers love your child as they love their own, and if the energy that seeps forth boasts of creativity and engagement at all times, you know you've found the perfect place, and that place is Rock Spring Children's Center. It's hard enough knowing that you have to leave your child over the course of a day, but to know that you have the best care possible for your child during the day helps alleviate so much of that stress. The Center does not just say they love children, what they want to do to improve or how the work aligns with the mission, but they show EACH of these things, with intention, every single day. And while I'm talking about the overall feel and experience of the center, there are so many additions that really take it to the next level. The offerings of ballet, karate, an amazing plyometrics program, and music, all of it offered from phenomenal external entities as a formal class that help keep your weekends, a little more open. And for more ease, if you struggle to pack lunch every day, a catered lunch option is available. There is differentiated instruction that allows for all students to feel safe and seen. And did I mention the engagement and love of teachers, and administration? The list goes on. TLDR: There will never be a center as phenomenal as Rock Spring Children's Center!

Rock Spring Children's Center has been one of the best things to happen to our family. We've been…read moreenrolled since 2020, and left another center and watched both facilities navigate the difficult challenges that COVID presented to the child care industry. Rock Spring administration handled those challenges with grace, transparency and leadership. I've sent both of my kids there, and have grown very attached to many of the teachers. The teachers have always exhibited professialism and a high standard of care for my children. Now my older child is there for before and after care from a local elementary school, and the time he spends playing with other children at Rock Spring seems like a highlight of his days. The infant rooms are full of compassionate caregivers who treat my child like family, relishing in each new skill and milestone. I have spoken highly of Rock Spring to many friends, and asked them to take tours, and the ones who have seen it in person have agreed with my assessment and enrolled their own children. Please consider Rock Spring if you value a high teacher to child ratio, an engaging curriculum for all ages, accommodating administration, low teacher turnover and compassionate staff and teachers. Other tangible pros include regular parents night out events, lots of outdoor play space, extended hours (7a-6p plus extended evening pickup if needed), a convenient location near I270 and I495, social events for parents, optional catered lunch, optional classes including soccer and ballet, plenty of free parking and included breakfast and snacks. Please consider visiting and checking out this wonderful community.

Really awesome nonprofit working to expand and protect DC's trees. Casey Trees is easily the most…read morewell-run nonprofit I've ever volunteered with - they make you feel valued, teach you interesting things, feed you great food and give you a chance to get your hands dirty - what else could you want?! Casey Trees holds a ton of free classes (topics include Bug Identification, Trees 101, Invasive Species) in their Brookland space and volunteer events (Planting, Tree Surveys, Nature Walks) throughout DC. Anywhere trees are, basically :) The events change seasonally to keep up with the changes in the trees needs so there's always more to learn and do - if you're in DC I highly recommend getting involved!

I love Casey Trees! They do so much when it comes to advocating and educating about trees in the DC…read morearea. If you are looking to plant a tree in your yard, they're a great place to start, and can even help you find money to do it. Their volunteer events--plantings, inventories, etc.--are always well-run. Besides the actual work, my favorite thing is that they always have a great spread of food for people who come. They also have some great classes, offering general info and practical skills such as pruning.