Who We Are
Ms. Mattie’s Memories is a collegiate organization dedicated to pairing college students with nursing homes to encourage social interactions with the seniors in our community. By addressing our concerns regarding memory and care, we aim to stimulate and exercise the minds of seniors in facilities coping with memory loss.
Our Mission
At Ms. Mattie’s Memories, our mission is to enhance the mental well-being of individuals, particularly those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s, by fostering cross-generational social interaction. Our commitment is rooted in compassion, empathy, and understanding. We aim to address the emotional and social needs of seniors by engaging them in both recreational and intellectual activities. By reinforcing their sense of humanity and dignity, we strive to alleviate the feelings of isolation that seniors in care facilities often experience. We are dedicated to bridging the gap created by aging, providing elderly individuals with comfort and a sense of social normalcy in the later stages of their lives. We strongly believe that living a fulfilling life does not conclude with a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis; rather, it should persist beyond these challenges.
Memoria et Cura
Our guiding principle, “Memoria et Cura,” translates from Latin to “Memory and Care,” encapsulating the core values of our organization. As certain members of our community encounter the challenges of aging—particularly Alzheimer's and Dementia—it becomes essential for us, as responsible community members, to remember what they can no longer retain. By caring for the minds of others, we exemplify profound compassion, responsibility, and duty, further reinforcing this cycle of accountability as we grow older and face health declines.
Founding Story
Founding Story
Ms. Mattie’s Memories is birthed from a personal story. Founder Zarria Clark, a first-generation student from Illinois studying at Georgetown University, was inspired by her great-grandmother, Ms. Mattie, who raised her. Even at nine years old, Zarria remembers visiting her great-grandmother’s mother, her great-great-grandmother, at a nursing home as she battled the late stages of Alzheimer’s. Even at that age, she understood the possibility of the disease being passed on to Ms. Mattie, her caregiver and the person who raised her.
When Ms. Mattie was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and transitioned into a long-term care facility during Zarria’s first year of college, she began visiting her regularly during college breaks. In those visits, she noticed something that changed her perspective — the way a simple conversation, a familiar face, or shared laughter could light up not only her great-grandmother’s spirit but also the hearts of other residents who rarely had visitors. Seeing how her great-aunt, Mary, extends that warmth to all residents through regular visits to the facility, Zarria realized the power of connection in healing and dignity.
Motivated by her experience and the lack of representation and awareness surrounding dementia in the Black community, she sets out to bridge that gap. Ms. Mattie’s Memories was founded to connect college students with nursing homes and memory care facilities, fostering intergenerational relationships that celebrate life, compassion, and the memories that still remain.
Contact Us
Are you a nursing home or aging facility looking to bring connectivity and social engagement to memory care patients? If so, contact us! We are more than excited to connect and work with you!