Bright Horizons Foundation for Children Opens Three New Bright Spaces

children running

August 29, 2023 – The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children recently opened three new Bright Spaces throughout the country. Bright Spaces, is the signature program of the foundation. Working in partnership with non-profits, Bright Spaces provide engaging environments for play that are cheerful, inviting, safe, and fun for families and the children in their care. The Bright Horizons Foundation has created over 300 Bright Spaces in the United States which serve more than 130,000 children and families. 

“Our goal with Bright Spaces is to give children the opportunities they deserve to develop resilience and form stronger bonds with their families and other caring adults,” said Yvonne Lynch, President of The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children. “We strive to promote healing, offer nurturing and stimulating activities, and provide a stable, enriching environment for each child who walks through the door.”

Gladden Community House 

In July, the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children in partnership with kettlebells4kids opened a new Bright Space at Gladden Community House in Columbus, OH. One of the few settlement houses left in Columbus—and the country—Gladden Community House (GCH) has been a trusted resource for over 15,000 residents in Franklinton and the Near West Side for 118 years. GCH offers team sports, preschool, and after-school programs for the youth, senior outreach, and operates a food pantry that serves over 1,000 families monthly, all supporting their mission of strengthening the community’s well-being and building a thriving, equitable neighborhood. The new Bright Space features an indoor and outdoor play area for GCH’s on-site child care program.

Liberation Programs

At the end of July, the Bright Horizons for Children Foundation opened a newly refurbished Bright Space at Liberation Programs in Norwalk, CT. Liberation Programs provides treatment and prevention services for substance use and mental health disorders with a goal of helping individuals and families overcome addiction to restore their lives and ultimately strengthen our communities. Through inpatient programs, outpatient and intensive outpatient services, education and prevention efforts, harm reduction services, mobile outreach, and supportive housing, they provide services to over 1,000 individuals a day.

The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children has had a Bright Space at Liberation Programs since 2015. This Bright Space serves as the child care center for the families in the Families in Recovery Program (FIRP), which is the only inpatient substance use treatment provider for pregnant and parenting women in Fairfield County. The refurbishment was made possible by a donation to the annual Bright Horizons Facilities and Construction Golf Tournament.

Promises2Kids

Earlier this month, the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children partnered with Rachel Robertson, Bright Horizons Vice President of Learning and Development to open a Bright Space at Promises2Kids in San Diego, CA. Promises2Kids is a leading nonprofit organization originally founded 40 years ago as the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation of San Diego County. Since 1981, they have responded to the needs of foster children and provided support to children removed from their home due to abuse and neglect. The Bright Space includes clinic spaces used by all children at San Diego County’s emergency shelter.

In 2022, Rachel was honored with the Jim Greenman Award, which funds the creation of a Bright Space in communities. Rachel has volunteered in many capacities with Promises2Kids for years, so it was a natural choice for a Bright Space. 

“Contributing in a small way to the work of Promises2Kids through our Bright Space program is an honor. Promises2Kids does essential work, helping children in times of trauma. Promises2Kids is led by such passion and purpose driven heroes, and I am thrilled this Bright Space will help them better support children and provide comfort for children when they need it most,” said Robertson.

To learn more about the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, visit here.