Orchard AFC began in 2002, quite by accident. Aunt Francis fell and broke her arm, and although it was not a terrible tragedy, Francis had no children to care for her - no one to check on her. With no good options, her nephew Leo, and his wife Pam, knew it was time to help. They took Aunt Francis into their own home - a centennial farm in a settlement named 'Orchard'. 

 

Pam realized the care homes in the area were not able to live up to the family's desire for friendly care in a beautiful and bright environment. Pam and Leo knew that they could do a better job. 

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A short time later, Francis's sister Helen also needed help and her family began looking for a care home. 

Pam realized if their own family needed help, then other families must need it too. In the spring of 2002, Pam and Leo added on to their own home and opened a 6-bed adult foster care home called Orchard AFC. Francis and Helen were their first residents. 

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Pam knew her goal: to provide a clean, beautiful, bright and cheerful home - a family-style home. Exactly what her family deserved. As a licensed practical nurse, Pam had seen many institutional care homes during her career. She knew she must provide true quality care - not just the usual revolving door of only hired staff. While such institutions were able to care for resident's physical needs, their emotional care and sense of belonging were often lacking. 

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In 2010, their daughter Mickey and son-in-law Randy, residents of Chicago moved back to Orchard to help in the business. After "helping" for 5 years, they purchased the business in 2015, changing the name to Orchard Manor AFC. Their motto is "family helping family", and that also extends to their staff and residents. 

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