About Us
Day Spring provides hope to families who seek exceptional care and a loving home for their loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We represent a diverse work force and our agency serves people with disabilities across seven Kentucky counties. Day Spring celebrates each person's unique background and individuality, taking pride in the unifying mission of being one big family.
Day Spring staff are committed to discovering creative and innovative approaches to transforming the world for people with developmental disabilities. Day Spring employs an enthusiastic team of dedicated, well-trained staff who provide high-quality person-centered supports and services for adults with developmental disabilities.
Our residential options include:
- Small group homes
- Staffed residences
- Apartment buildings
- Family home providers
Our programs are person-centered and include 24/7 staff residential support for daily living, community access services, transportation assistance, financial management and community living supports.
In 2017, our Center for Innovations launched the College for Living, the only program of its kind in our community. This program offers semi-independent living in a safe campus setting that creates a college-like experience while fostering person-centered growth for the transition to more independent living.
Our History
A Vision Realized
Day Spring is the culmination of years of work by parents of children with developmental disabilities. Led by Jack and Gladys Ford, they saw few alternatives in the early 1990's for their children. Most options were in isolated housing or large institutions. What they foresaw was an integrated community of residents, families, board members, volunteers, and friends all striving to support the residents in living as rich and joyful a life as possible. Their tenacity and vision brought together contributions and support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Kentucky State Legislature, the City of Louisville and Board of Alderman, the Archdiocese of Louisville, Seven County Services, New Directions Housing, and others to create a very special place: Day Spring.
For those with son and daughters desiring to live a life of their own and share it with their friends and family, Day Spring answered "What is next for me?"
In April of 1994, ground was broken for the first Day Spring residences on Illinois Avenue in Louisville. "We will no longer refer to my friend or your family," Jack would say, "but rather our Day Spring family." The mayor declared April 7th as Day Spring Recognition Day!
The Dream Continues
From two original homes, Day Spring has continued to grow and serve increasing numbers of individuals in a variety of residential settings designed to meet each individual’s needs and abilities.
In the fall of 2016, a merger between Day Spring and Community Living, Inc. greatly expanded our capacity to provide services. For a combined 62+ years, Day Spring and Community Living have empowered people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live fulfilling lives. The merger offered an opportunity to operate long-term in a financially sound manner while taking full advantage of the combined strengths and efficiencies of each organization.
