About the Founder

 

Matthew Jones grew up in a small town outside of St. Louis, Villa Ridge Missouri. He is a 1991 graduate of Pacific High School.  He started off his collegiate career at Benedictine College in Atchison, Ks. where he received a football scholarship. He left Atchison in 1993 and headed to Springfield, Missouri. In 2010 he Graduated from Evangel University with a Bachelors of Science in Human Services and also worked on his Master’s degree in secondary education, also at Evangel Univesity.

 

Born to Eugene and Maxine Jones October 2, 1972. He is the youngest of 4 children. His father was the pastor of Douglas Memorial C.O.G.I.C. (retired in 2009) a church in Meacham Park, Missouri where he was given the foundation of religion, family and community work. The saints of the church and parents of friends provided the village that helped support, teach and encourage him.

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Even with the strong family upbringing and support. Matt made choices  that could of derailed his life. After suffering his 2nd Knee surgery in College he fell into drinking and fighting. This period of his life he was fighting to find himself and his purpose. Through the prayers of the saints and family he was able to come out of those dark days. He found value again in himself and wanted to share his testimony and encourage others.

 

Matthew has worked with youth and families in the Springfield area for over 20 years starting with the Boys Girls Club of Springfield, Boys and Girls Town, Division of Youth Services (State of Missouri) and O.A.C.A.C. Head start program. He has also worked as an assistant high school football coach and coached youth sports in Springfield for many years.

 

Words from the Founder

 

I would like to first thank my parents for instilling in me the passion and desire to help and care for others. They have given me the foundation of prayer, faith and willingness to serve. Thank you to the many members of my village who have been there for me; my three sisters Nina, Juanita and Gaye Jones, my Douglas Memorial Church Family, my little league baseball coaches, high school, college coaches, parents and students who stood beside me. These people made up my village and I thank you.

 

It is our goal to be a blessing and support to others.  We would like people to realize and understand all of us have stumbled. All of us have not made the best decisions. Each one of us had to fight for our sanity and survival in some way.

 

We want to help people identify and reach out to those in the community that are willing to be in their village. We want to help youth and families build a strong foundation and realize they are not alone.

                                                                                                   

 – Matthew Jones