(as of 2000, published in Our 10th Anniversary Album)

A dream realized...

In March of 1990, Moody Manor was incorporated in the State of Florida and received non-profit (501c3) status from the Internal Revenue Service.  More than two years of communication and documentation made the Foundation a reality.  Patricia Moody was no longer a woman with a dream – Moody Manor was an organization with a goal.  Becoming a non-profit organization was first and foremost on the agenda.  The focus was to be on creating the best environment for the residents we serve without the pressure of turning a profit or maintaining a bottom line.

The idea seemed simple enough – Patricia Moody had raised ten children and wanted to duplicate that atmosphere in a residence for people who faced the same challenges that her daughter Peggy was facing.

The challenge was convincing the Agency for Healthcare Administration (then called HRS) that all the services provided by a nursing home; quality healthcare, rehabilitative therapy, recreation, nutrition, etc., could all take place in a family setting.  The original plan was for 10 residents, mirroring the size of her own family but code requirements for that amount demanded commercial kitchens and overwhelming structural changes to the existing structure.  The number was reduced to eight.

HRS wasn’t sure what category to put this innovative idea in, requiring rewrites of the original Policies and Procedures and eventually designating Moody Manor as a “Home for Special Services” the first of its kind.  Many of the existing regulations and descriptions under this category are the original proposals written by Patricia Moody herself.

“The search for the property took one year, having visited 99 homes in three counties.  Applications, architectural plans, and policies and procedures were my activities of daily living for almost three years.  Then the fun began, I thought.  The residence would finally become a reality.  Every time the inspectors from Tallahassee would make a trip down here to place more structural demands, the more determined I became to attain my goal.  Today, I shake my head in disbelief when I look at the “Policies and Procedures” manual I presented for approval in order to commerce operations.  Today we have 8 volumes of policies and procedures.  Ten years ago we had about 100 pages.  Believe me, naivete combined with a burning desire to have my dreams come true was my salvation.”

                                                                        ~ Patricia Moody

"On June 6th, 1991, Moody Manor opened its door, dedicated in memory of Patricia's husband, Gregory J. Moody, who passed away in 1976"

No place like home…

After an exhaustive search, the Foundation purchased a small ranch in the Sunshine Ranches area of Southwest Broward County.  Construction began immediately and the result was a breathtaking environment that features a specially designed therapeutic swimming pool, therapy gym and an entirely handicapped accessible home.

Each resident decorates her own room, shares a bathroom with one other resident and joins her housemates in the dining room of the patio for all meals.

For the first several years, Moody Manor’s barn served as a “maternity ward” for thoroughbred racehorses.  The barn has since become a storage and maintenance shed.

When the property was purchased, one of the requirements was that the dog “Satin” who had lived there all her life – could stay.  Sadly, Satin passed away a few years ago.  A few months later, “Gypsy” showed up on our doorstep, and has never left.