Bright Space gives homeless children play, learning environment

Members of the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children and Fellowship Housing cut the ribbon to officially unveil a Bright Space for homeless children in Hoffman Estates.

Bright Spaces are designed to provide children in shelters with a dedicated warm, enriching area to play and learn.

The partnership with Fellowship Housing and the Bright Space will serve approximately 26 children each year. This will give them a creative space that will enhance children’s playtime and encourage positive work time for older children and teens with homework.

“The Bright Horizons Foundation and Sears Bright Horizons Child Development Center are helping women and children at a vulnerable time by providing a space to kids ages 18 and younger to play and laugh as a family despite their circumstances,” said Brooke Bartlow, Fellowship Housing’s executive director.

Studies have shown that children of all ages thrive when they have a safe place in which to explore the world around them, filled with books, toys and activities that are developmentally appropriate and provide an opportunity for them to discover the magic of childhood.

Children experiencing stress especially need access to these child-friendly spaces.

Bright Horizons Center Director Melissa Carlson led the team of child care employees in charge of the makeover. The Bright Horizons Sears Child Development Center raised money and created the Bright Space within Fellowship Housing’s work space.

Fellowship Housing serves homeless and at-risk single mothers and their children through transitional housing. Since 1991, the program has empowered families to achieve the goal of housing of their choice through accountability and financial literacy training. For information visit www.fhcmoms.org.

Bright Horizons Family Solutions is a leading provider of employer-sponsored child care, early education and work/life solutions. The company operates child care and early education centers across the United States, Europe and Canada.

The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children was founded in 1999 to help forward the vision of Bright Horizons Family Solutions to brighten the lives of children, youth and families in crisis.

Bright Spaces is a program of the foundation, creating dedicated play areas in homeless shelters and community agencies. There are now more than 260 Bright Spaces serving more than 10,000 children each month.

More information is at www.brighthorizonsfoundation.org.

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