When our Day Spring marketing coordinator arrived at Mattie Jones’s home for an interview, Mattie greeted her with a smile and described herself as a “92-year-old teenager.” That single phrase captures the spirit of who she is—joyful, full of energy, with a deep commitment to making a difference and an inspiring belief that change can happen. It is the kind of passion and hopefulness characteristic of youth, and it is something Mattie has never lost.
What began as a conversation about her role as a Family Home Provider (FHP) with Day Spring unfolded into a journey through decades of love, service, and wisdom. For more than 30 years, Mattie has opened her home to individuals through Day Spring, but her story of love and service stretches back much further.
A Childhood Shaped by Generosity
Mattie traces her calling back to her mother, whom she calls her greatest influence. Her mother was a domestic worker living in a deeply segregated world, yet she shared what little she had with everyone around her, offering food and kindness to neighbors in need. Mattie recalls how there was always somebody in her home that her mother was helping. She lovingly called her mother “a little giant”—small in stature but with a heart that seemed immeasurable.
Her father, a teacher and a quiet man, reinforced that same ethic of love by instilling in his children that in their home, words of hate were never spoken. “I never heard that word hate in my house,” Mattie said. Today, in her own home, Mattie never allows the word hate either.
Even at 92, Mattie speaks of her mother with deep gratitude: “My mother’s teachings made me grow.”
A Family That Grew to 120
That upbringing shaped Mattie’s lifelong commitment to serving others. She and her husband raised eight children of their own—and 120 foster children. Every foster child who came through her door graduated high school, an achievement many within the foster system never experience. Many went on to college, and countless still call her “Nana.” To this day, she still receives phone calls and Sunday dinner visits from many of them.
Her biological children carried Mattie's legacy forward. One daughter opened a foster agency in New Albany and one adopted children. Several became Family Home Providers themselves. Her sons served in the military. Service to others, Mattie says, “runs in the family.”
Her home became known as the “community house.” People came and went freely. Civil rights leaders like Dr. King and Angela Davis passed through. Neighbors stopped by. Children filled the rooms. FHP participants settled in. All were welcomed with the same love and respect. In her house, “people are people,” Mattie says—there is no distinction based on status, wealth, or color.
Welcoming James
Mattie’s journey as a Family Home Provider began with Julie, who lived in her home for more than a decade. Later came James.
James had been living with a roommate in West Louisville, but when his roommate passed away, he faced eviction and had little contact with his family. Mattie’s daughter, working as a social worker, knew of his situation and asked her mother to help. Mattie took James in, and with her daughter’s support, they joined the Family Home Provider program together.
Today, James is not just a participant—he is family. Mattie never introduces him as her client.
“I don’t introduce him as a client. This is James Wilson—another addition to the Jones family.”
When Mattie’s daughter Grace grew sick and moved into her mother's home, James was by her side, eager to exercise his naturally caring nature. The three of them, Mattie, Grace, and James, shared a morning tradition of coffee on the porch. Even after Grace’s passing, James and Mattie continue the ritual.
James and Mattie share a deep, mutual respect. “I respect him and he respects me,” Mattie explains. They look after one another’s health, shop together, and carry on the family rhythms of everyday life. Mattie’s grandson, Brandon, and James share pizza parties every Friday night, and James is a regular helper at family cookouts.
A devoted University of Kentucky fan, James has turned his bedroom into a UK-themed space, which he keeps meticulously tidy—while also maintaining a friendly rivalry with the UofL supporters in the family. He’s also a math whiz, and with Mattie’s guidance has honed his money management skills. He also enjoys cooking alongside Mattie and says one of his favorite things about her is her cooking.
Most days, though, you’ll find James by the river. Fishing is his favorite hobby—something that connects him to memories of his father and opens doors to new friendships. One of his closest friends, Vince, is a man he met while fishing and the two still spend time together every month.
For Mattie, what matters most is James’s future. She says he is welcome to stay in her home as long as she is alive, and she hopes he will choose to remain even after her passing. But if he decides to move on, she is confident that through his time with the Jones family, he has gained the skills to take care of himself. “The environment he’s been around has made him grow and glow,” she says. It is her joy to ensure that the people who come through her home leave stronger, more independent, and ready to make it on their own.
A Voice for Justice
Mattie’s legacy extends beyond her home. She is a veteran of the civil rights movement, having marched with Dr. King in the Selma-to-Montgomery March for voting rights and crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge while facing violence from police. She was arrested 24 times for peaceful protest. She worked as coordinator for racial and economic justice with the Fellowship of Reconciliation in New York, where she organized one of the largest women’s conferences in the organization’s history. Later she served with the Kentucky Alliance against Racism and Racist Politics.
Through it all, she has remained committed to nonviolence. “They may throw rocks at you, but you don’t throw a brick back,” she says. “Peace cannot happen without justice, they must come hand in hand.”
When Mattie turned 90, her neighborhood closed down an entire street to celebrate. Hundreds of people showed up, including the mayor, to honor just how vast her impact was, and continues to be. At 92, she is still looking to the future.
“I don’t want to rust away by sitting around and doing nothing,” she said. “If I can say to the Lord, take me working.” And working she is! Mattie was recently invited by the mayor to serve on the Louisville Community Safety Commission, helping address violence in the city. She continues to advocate for more diversity training within the police department, and when she hears people complain about racism or injustice, she encourages action: “Be a helper, not a complainer.”
Her advice extends beyond FHPs to younger generations: keep faith, respect yourself and others, work hard, and don’t forget your roots. “Things wear out and get thrown away,” she says. “But love—love never dies.”
As the conversation drew to a close, she reflected: “I just love my life…I can truly say I have no regrets.”
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Mattie’s life is proof that caregiving is not just about providing shelter—it’s about creating belonging, nurturing growth, and offering love. Whether raising foster children, welcoming James, or marching for justice, she has lived out her belief that love is the most powerful force for change.
When asked what makes a good Family Home Provider, Mattie didn't hesitate: “You have to be caring, loving, non-selfish, and not take this as a job. It’s not about the money. You’ve got to want to give.” She admits it isn’t always easy. There are sacrifices involved in opening your home and your life to others. But the rewards—seeing someone thrive and sharing everyday joys—make it worthwhile.
At Day Spring, we are honored to share her story. Mattie reminds us that being a Family Home Provider is not about a paycheck, it’s about opening your heart and your home. It’s about treating people as family. And it’s about leaving a legacy of love that will ripple far beyond your own lifetime.
