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The Sovereign Grand Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows |
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Odd Fellows Lodges, Rebekah Lodges, Encampments, Cantons & Auxiliaries, Junior Lodges and Theta Rho Girls' Clubs |
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IOOF HomesOdd Fellows and Rebekahs were the first fraternal organization to establish homes for our senior members and for orphaned children. Although times have changed, the need for loving care for those who cannot care for themselves continues. Our Homes throughout the North American Continent provide the best care found anywhere. Information about specific IOOF homes is located on the jurisdictional activities pages. The mandate for Odd Fellows is found on The Sovereign Grand Lodge Seal, "We Command You To Visit The Sick, Relieve The Distressed, Bury The Dead, and Educate The Orphan." This then along with the ideals and precepts of Fraternity and Relief led to the establishment of Homes for the Aged, the Indigent, the Widow and the Orphan. Odd Fellows are governed by the principles of practical wisdom. The strong support the weak, the well nurse the sick, the learned instruct the unlearned and the rich help the poor. The first Odd Fellows Home was founded in 1872 in Pennsylvania. The endowments and cost of operating these early homes ran in the millions and was entirely supported by the membership. Pictures of some of these early homes are preserved in the antique IOOF Home Post Card collection of Marshall D. Kalin. Our homes through the years have provided care to thousands and provided a homelike atmosphere and education to hundreds of orphans. As times have changed so has the concept of care giving. Where once many of the homes were farms and the residents participated in chores and utilized the grounds and crops, this is mostly in the past. This was necessary in the very early days and members throughout the Jurisdiction brought from their own bounty and shared with these brothers and Sisters. An infirmary was a part of the homes for those taken ill earlier. They have been replaced by skilled care nursing facilities controlled by government guidelines and regulations.
Many jurisdictions have become involved with remodeling to bring facilities up to date and to meet the government regulations required to operate in the world of today. Shared financing, by the governments has also made possible many of these new retirement and skilled care nursing facilities. Day Care centers have also become a reality where the young and the aged can come together and learn from each other. The need for care giving has always been a concern of the Odd Fellows and a mandate to be followed. Giving this care in the spirit of Brotherly Love made the Odd Fellow Home Concept even more appealing and we have been recognized for years as leaders in Geriatric Care. After 175 years we are still in the business as we continue to "Relieve the Distressed."
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As times changed, governments became involved in care giving and Homes for the
Aged are no longer considered charitable homes. The High Rise, the Cottage and
the Apartment type complex of living has replaced the original concept.