BrightStone Celebrates New Center with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
BrightStone held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday morning to officially open their 23,000sf Center for Learning, Art, and Enterprise on their Land of Dreams campus in Franklin. The $20 million project was funded through individual and corporate support. This new facility offers expanded opportunities for students, staff, and program offerings such as a state-of-the art learning lab, classrooms for visual arts and vocational learning, a clinic, an administrative wing, and a multi-purpose room.
On the heels of the new Center is two residential teaching homes that will provide comprehensive solutions and lifelong care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities left with limited resources as their caretakers age.
The ribbon ceremony began with a heart-warming welcome from student Nathan and an opening prayer. Several of the students who attend BrightStone’s day program were front and center as Founder Brenda Hauk relayed her calling to start BrightStone in 1999 from its humble beginnings in two classrooms of a local church.
BrightStone credited their success to faith, community, and the families they serve. “This is truly an awesome day and a true miracle – as we are all able to stand here and witness the result of the call of a loving God, the hope of families, the vision of educators and leaders, the giving of a community, and the future of our citizens who have special needs, said Hauk. Current President and CEO, Lee Rose, echoed the sentiment. “God bless you for investing in our mission and joining us on this journey of prayer and faith,“ stated Rose, as he addressed over 250 community and chamber members, dignitaries, staff, families, and BrightStone Board Members.
Mike Cairnes, BrightStone’s Chairman of the Board, also spoke to the impact of BrightStone to the families it serves, including his own. “This is personal for me as I have a son with special needs. When he was in his senior year of high school you wonder where will he go. BrightStone now has that answer. And then later on, you wonder, what happens to him when we can no longer take care of him. BrightStone now has that answer too.”
The long-term vision for BrightStone includes massive growth on their 140-acre campus that calls for a horticulture program, events center, equine therapy, additional residential homes, and a retail store.
The ceremony also recognized and thanked corporate businesses who provided financial, architectural, construction, and consulting support to the project. Some were noted by Hauk as extensive pro-bono services.
Rose closed out the ceremony with final optimism and a look to the future. “Today’s ribbon cutting truly marks the beginning of a brighter future for Tennesseans. And, BrightStone is just getting started.”