BrightStone, Inc.
Programs
Budget
$20,000.00
Description
Adults learn productive work habits needed for employability in our enterprise program making hand-crafted ceramics; we are licensed by Food and Drug and our adults mix, sift and weigh dry ingredients making twelve different packaged food mixes including cookies, fudge, dips and teas; and in our art lab many seasonal handcrafted products are created.
Products are sold at BrightStone in our lobby; at select retail stores in Franklin; and at local crafts fairs
Our adults are very proud of the products they make and every product made is purchased by the community - thousands of products are sold annually!
All proceeds help fund the enterprise program - but more importantly, give adults a reason to get up each day and something of value to do.
Beneficiaries
People with intellectual disabilities
People with other disabilities and/or are neurodivergent
People with physical disabilities
Program Areas Served
None
$20,000.00
Description
Adults learn productive work habits needed for employability in our enterprise program making hand-crafted ceramics; we are licensed by Food and Drug and our adults mix, sift and weigh dry ingredients making twelve different packaged food mixes including cookies, fudge, dips and teas; and in our art lab many seasonal handcrafted products are created.
Products are sold at BrightStone in our lobby; at select retail stores in Franklin; and at local crafts fairs
Our adults are very proud of the products they make and every product made is purchased by the community - thousands of products are sold annually!
All proceeds help fund the enterprise program - but more importantly, give adults a reason to get up each day and something of value to do.
Beneficiaries
People with intellectual disabilities
People with other disabilities and/or are neurodivergent
People with physical disabilities
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$1,059,687.00
Description
Adults learn job skills and productive work habits in a work-based learning program tied to our social enterprise program. Their strengths are determined, goals are established, and tasks are broken down into steps. Students are provided job coaching and training as they learn to complete a task, stay at their work station, respond appropriately to their supervisor, work independently and to work in teams. Adults are also given an opportunity to participate in our internship program working as a volunteer gaining real-world work experience under the supervision of BrightStone job training coach. We have local employers who partner with BrightStone to participate in our P.A.T.H program (preparation and training for hireability).
Program Successes
Recently, the two of our adults who graduated from the PATH program were offered employment. This is the ultimate goal, to give adults who want to have a paying job in the community the training and support to make that happen, or for adults who don't really want to be employed - but do want to continue to intern as a volunteer at local employers, that opportunity as well.
Beneficiaries
People with intellectual disabilities
People with learning disabilities
People with other disabilities and/or are neurodivergent
Program Areas Served
None
$1,059,687.00
Description
Adults learn job skills and productive work habits in a work-based learning program tied to our social enterprise program. Their strengths are determined, goals are established, and tasks are broken down into steps. Students are provided job coaching and training as they learn to complete a task, stay at their work station, respond appropriately to their supervisor, work independently and to work in teams. Adults are also given an opportunity to participate in our internship program working as a volunteer gaining real-world work experience under the supervision of BrightStone job training coach. We have local employers who partner with BrightStone to participate in our P.A.T.H program (preparation and training for hireability).
Program Successes
Recently, the two of our adults who graduated from the PATH program were offered employment. This is the ultimate goal, to give adults who want to have a paying job in the community the training and support to make that happen, or for adults who don't really want to be employed - but do want to continue to intern as a volunteer at local employers, that opportunity as well.
Beneficiaries
People with intellectual disabilities
People with learning disabilities
People with other disabilities and/or are neurodivergent
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$845,000.00
Description
Educating adults who live each day with intellectual or developmental challenges is at the core of BrightStone's purpose. We focus on the individual abilities of each adult and provide opportunities to learn and grow in 23,000sf Stinnett Center for Learning, Art and Enterprise facility that opened Nov 2022. Adults attend Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm. Our comprehensive curriculum includes classes in job training, health and wellness, social and daily living skills, computer skills, functional academics, art, music, crafts, community involvement, and more. In an atmosphere of positive reinforcement along with individualized teaching, adults build confidence and self-esteem. BrightStone's faith-based leadership team, full-time RN, and college-like 140-acre campus and facility helps adults develop mentally, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Our facility is just 4 miles south from mainstreet downtown Franklin, TN.
Program Successes
BrightStone leadership and staff love to learn and innovate. Our Flex Program was introduced to provide highly individual care - literally one teacher serving a single adult - and doing so for as long as is needed. That is a heartfelt example of program success meeting the needs of families for their adults. The introduction of elective classes is another example of program success - electives were added based on the interests of our adults - and include computer, book club, dance, leadership, horticulture, and many others.
Beneficiaries
People with intellectual disabilities
People with learning disabilities
People with other disabilities and/or are neurodivergent
Long-term Success
Our long-term success is measured by the stability and enrollment tenure of our adults. The families we serve are our best advocates and appreciate the quality of our academic programs and services.
Program Success Monitored By
We are licensed by the state of TN and they audit BrightStone annually. We also have 5 teachers with Master Degrees in special education; who monitor progress with every adult - and each adult has an individual support plan.
Program Areas Served
None
$845,000.00
Description
Educating adults who live each day with intellectual or developmental challenges is at the core of BrightStone's purpose. We focus on the individual abilities of each adult and provide opportunities to learn and grow in 23,000sf Stinnett Center for Learning, Art and Enterprise facility that opened Nov 2022. Adults attend Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm. Our comprehensive curriculum includes classes in job training, health and wellness, social and daily living skills, computer skills, functional academics, art, music, crafts, community involvement, and more. In an atmosphere of positive reinforcement along with individualized teaching, adults build confidence and self-esteem. BrightStone's faith-based leadership team, full-time RN, and college-like 140-acre campus and facility helps adults develop mentally, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Our facility is just 4 miles south from mainstreet downtown Franklin, TN.
Program Successes
BrightStone leadership and staff love to learn and innovate. Our Flex Program was introduced to provide highly individual care - literally one teacher serving a single adult - and doing so for as long as is needed. That is a heartfelt example of program success meeting the needs of families for their adults. The introduction of elective classes is another example of program success - electives were added based on the interests of our adults - and include computer, book club, dance, leadership, horticulture, and many others.
Beneficiaries
People with intellectual disabilities
People with learning disabilities
People with other disabilities and/or are neurodivergent
Long-term Success
Our long-term success is measured by the stability and enrollment tenure of our adults. The families we serve are our best advocates and appreciate the quality of our academic programs and services.
Program Success Monitored By
We are licensed by the state of TN and they audit BrightStone annually. We also have 5 teachers with Master Degrees in special education; who monitor progress with every adult - and each adult has an individual support plan.
Program Areas Served
None
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
| BrightStone has provided a robust Day Program for 22 years - establishing itself as a vibrant job training and life skills program with exceptional day services for adults who live with intellectual and developmental challenges. Though families have raved with enthusiasm about our broad post-secondary program for their adult son/daughter, we realize there is a deeper and more significant burden facing families today. Their heart cry is, "What is going to happen to my son/daughter when I am no longer able to provide care?" BrightStone stands ready to answer this question for many families in Tennessee and beyond. So, after much research, visits to many similar programs across the county, and surveys sent out to learn more about various provisions of care, BrightStone is beginning a new journey! To take on this daunting task to enhance our programming, to grow our numbers receiving services, and to provide first-time residential options, BrightStone purchased 140 acres, became debt free, worked with the county to meet zoning and code requirements, secured capital funding, secured an architectural firm (Earl Swensson Associates) who has provided all work pro bono!, secured our civil engineer and our contractors ---- construction of the first campus of its kind in Tennessee began in 2021! Our 23,000 sf Center for Learning, Art, and Enterprise is on track to open in October, and our two Teaching Homes to be occupied in November. This will allow our student population to grow, for every student to have the chance for a job in the greater community or on the campus, and for students to choose where and with whom they live, work, and recreate with the goal being to give them a place to belong. The Enterprises they lead will provide appropriate instruction and direction to achieve their highest level of independence with the goal being to give them a purpose in life. The positive instruction they will experience will provide a mentally and physically healthy environment with the goal being to give them a true sense of self-worth. Our challenges mainly lie in the area of awareness. When the community learns about the amazing abilities of individuals who have some special needs and realizes the value of their lives to all of society, the resources needed openly come our way - from inkind to monetary donations, from volunteerism to prayer warriors - we need it all! These are daunting changes ahead for BrightStone, and we encourage the community to come for a tour to see this amazing campus and to learn more about our vision for the future of those who are underserved, many times discarded, and with skills and talents undiscovered. This campus will be the first of its kind in Tennessee - helping Tennessee join many other states who on the cutting edge of providing contemporary resources and innovative services of care. Obviously, BrightStone cannot build and grow and sustain our program without a caring and giving community. That is the core of our existence and we continue to be very grateful and have confidence in the "community" of middle Tennessee who continues to step up and provide. |
