Masonic charitable services California Masons adhere to the philosophy that each person can help make the world a better place through philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service. Each year, the Masons contribute millions of dollars to help those less fortunate. Local Masonic lodges and many affiliated Masonic organizations support funding for medical research,community projects, scholarships, and other humanitarian programs. No charge is made for any of the services provided by the Masonic charitable organizations or programs, and the Masons receive no local, state, or federal funding. Child I.D. As a resource to California parents, the Masons of California provide free fingerprinting and photo identification for children of all ages. An identification sheet is provided to parents and includes space to record height, weight, eye and hair color, and distinguishing marks. The identification sheet is extremely valuable to authorities if a child is ever missing or abducted. The entire process takes only a minute and no information is ever recorded. Since the program began in 1998, more than 300,000 California children have received this important documentation. Conejo Valley Masonic Lodge #807 provides this free service at fairs and other community events across the Conejo Valley. If you are planning an event and would like to promote this valuable community service please CONTACT US for more information. Masonic Homes of California Over a century ago, the spirit of Masonic charity and the need to assist brethren and their families led to the creation of the Masonic Homes of California. Today, the Masonic Homes provide a program of quality living, premier health care, and progressive services for Masons and their wives or widows at two continuous-care retirement communities. Both the Masonic Home at Union City and the Masonic Home at Covina offer independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care, along with a variety of activities and services designed to help residents enjoy the best possible quality of life. The Masonic Home at Covina also operates one of the finest residential childcare programs of its kind in the United States, caring for children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. More than 1,800 children have thrived in this caring environment, which is open to all deserving children. California Masonic Foundation The California Masonic Foundation is a charitable trust whose mission is to help further the education of young people, from kindergarten through college. The Foundation supports two important programs – a college scholarship program and the Masonic Student Assistance Program (MSAP). Each year, the Foundation awards scholarships to high school students planning to pursue a college education. Awards range from $4,000 to $50,000 over a four-year period. In addition, the Foundation funds the highly acclaimed MSAP program, which trains teachers and other school personnel to identify at-risk students and help them stay in school. Shrine Hospitals for Children and Burn Units Two Shrine Hospitals in California provide specialized medical and rehabilitation services to children with problems of the spinal cord, bones, joints, and muscles, free of charge. The Shrine Hospitals also treat children with severe burns and pioneered many burn treatments now in use worldwide. No Masonic affiliation is required for treatment. Scottish Rite Language Disorder Centers The 13 centers located throughout California provide diagnosis, therapy, and consultation for infants and children who suffer from aphasia, dyslexia, stuttering, and related learning or speech disorders. These services are provided at no charge and no Masonic affiliation is required. York Rite Charities The York Rite sponsors learning disability research, medical research on the causes of arteriosclerosis, and financial assistance for eye surgery.