The mission of McGraw House is to provide a secure senior living environment which: 

• supports and encourages independence
• promotes privacy
• allows individuality 
• welcomes diversity
• fosters a sense of community 
• enhances quality of life

The Ladies Union Benevolent Society (LUBS) is a private philanthropic group that started McGraw House and created the McGraw House Board of Directors to manage the housing program and the property.

McGraw House first opened its doors for occupancy on October 1, 1971.

McGraw House is bound to regulations set forth by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing laws. HCR provides oversight of those regulations and conducts audits to ensure guidelines are being met.

The McGraw House Board of Directors consists of 15 voting members total – ten (10) members of the community and five (5) members of the Ladies Union Benevolent Society. There is also one (1) person who serves as a Representative of the Resident Council that acts as a liaison between the residents and the board. Board members serve three (3) year terms for a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms. Board meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of each month in the mornings.

The Resident Council, formed by and for residents, has an Executive Committee that includes officers and a representative from each floor. The Resident Council also has several sub-committees such as the Diversity Committee, Library Committee, and a Program Committee.

The Council meets monthly to address issues of concern to residents. All rent paying residents are members of the Council. Each year, Floor Representatives are appointed in order to: 1) welcome new residents and help acclimate them to the life and customs of McGraw House; and 2) listen to any concerns or problems on their floor and refer as necessary; and 3) act as liaison between residents and the Council.

Resident Council also sponsors several events in the building such as: Art Exhibits, Ice Cream Socials, Pizza Parties on the Roof Deck, Remembrance Memorials, Bake Sales and Movie Nights.

The Tompkins County poor house was established for Ithaca in 1827 and housed a large number of individuals from children to the elderly. Older women with no family and little income dreaded going there. The first secular agency to recognize the need for their care was The Ladies Union Benevolent Society (LUBS) who began this mission, after the Civil War in 1870, in a house on Buffalo Street. The care encompassed every resident’s need until death and then the women were given a proper burial. This benevolent care went on for over 100 years in a larger house at 514 South Aurora St. (that still stands today).

Moving into the early 1960's, circumstances for women had changed considerably.  Women worked and many had social security benefits, better health care and more resources for help.  When The Ladies Union Benevolent Society provided a substantial donation and obtained federal funding to build McGraw House (now including men), the role of LUBS shifted from direct care to residents and became more supportive in nature.

Today, LUBS continues to support McGraw House in very important ways, such as:

• Five LUBS members are part of the McGraw Board and participate on each of the Board Committees.
• LUBS significant annual subsidy enables our Dining Program to continue.
• The Guest Apartment is paid for and offered by LUBS.
• LUBS financially contributed towards the construction of the roof deck garden boxes and trellises, plus dirt for the boxes, and the deck furnishings.  They also continue to provide ongoing financial support for the upkeep of that area. On the ground level, LUBS also supplies planters and annual plantings along the McGraw House exterior.
• Tuesday Tea, and a monthly birthday party, has been a tradition for over 140 years.  Two LUBS directors greet, serve and enjoy talking with the residents every Tuesday afternoon.
• The LUBS Building next to McGraw House provides space for LUBS’ office, the McGraw House maintenance department, and exercise classes offered thru Lifelong to McGraw residents and the community.
• A lot of the lounge furniture, paintings and decorations (some come from the original Home) are found throughout the building are primarily owned and maintained by LUBS.
• A welcome letter and two free meal tickets are given to every new resident.
• Birthday cards are given to each resident.
• A holiday program is sponsored every December.
• Parking for residents and staff is in LUBS' lot at 120 West Clinton St.

Thank you LUBS!