NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2005--Today, the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, along with Grammy award winning music superstar Wynonna, and members of Oasis Center, a multi-service youth development agency, opened the 100th Bright Space in the country. Bright Spaces, a program of the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, provide at-risk and homeless youth with dedicated areas to play and learn. Bright Spaces are now open in 28 states, serving nearly 4,000 children across the country each month.

The 100th Bright Space, located at the Oasis Center in Nashville, offers teens staying at Oasis Center's Emergency Shelter the essential opportunity to express themselves through music and other forms of creativity. The space was designed by renowned interior designer Bobby McAlpine and includes a dedicated music and art therapy area, complete with instruments and recording capacity, a graffiti wall, and a place to experiment with electronics that enables teens to express their creative selves in a safe environment.

According to Wynonna, "I fell in love with the sweet spirit and compassion of the Oasis Center several years ago and understand the need to have a safe, creative environment in our own backyard. It's nice to now know that our friends in need will find that kind of learning space here, thanks to the Bright Space that Bright Horizons helped to envision and create. Knowing how my own creative heart beats and how I would have loved to have been able to experience such hope in a creative and passionate surrounding as a child and young adult, I believe, more than ever, it's important to share this with the next generation. I can think of no greater love to share than the gift of creativity and peace in one beautiful space, one Bright Space."

"The opening of the Bright Space at Oasis Center completes our commitment to have a dedicated play and educational area for children and teens living in shelters throughout our entire city," said Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell. "Through our partnership with Bright Horizons, we now have nine Bright Spaces open in the city, serving the needs of thousands of young people every year, and giving them the opportunity to enjoy their childhood, even as they are faced with very difficult family and personal situations."

Bright Spaces Enable Thousands of At-Risk Youth Across the Country to Discover the Magic of Childhood

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, creative outlets, and activities that are developmentally appropriate. However, the reality for many at-risk children and youth is that they do not have access to the space and equipment necessary to develop social, cognitive, gross motor, language, and problem-solving skills, which are critical for success later in life.

The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, the nonprofit organization of Bright Horizons Family Solutions, the leading provider of employer-sponsored child care, early education, and work/life solutions, established the Bright Spaces program in 1999 to create dedicated play and learning areas for children of all ages living in shelters. In a Bright Space, the area is transformed by a team of early education and design professionals to create a warm, inviting area where young people can simply and safely explore the wonders of being a young person.

"We are pleased to open the Oasis Center Bright Space - the 100th such haven in the country," said David Lissy, CEO, Bright Horizons Family Solutions and Member of the Board of the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children. "These Bright Spaces allow young people to explore their creativity and experience the magic of music, books, toys, and games, which are critical for their growth and development.
It is particularly exciting to have Wynonna lend her support to this milestone Bright Space, because of her own profound understanding of the importance of these opportunities for at-risk youth."

"Our goal at Oasis Center is to ensure that all young people are safe, connected with caring adults, and have opportunities to understand and develop their strengths and abilities," said Hal Cato, Executive Director of Oasis Center. "Our new Bright Space allows us to offer many more creative outlets that enable teenagers to develop a sense of significance, mastery and accomplishment, something very few have ever had the opportunity to experience."

Support for the opening of the Bright Space at Oasis Center was provided by St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Dollar General Corporation, Bobby McAlpine, and the Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency.

About Bright Horizons Family Solutions and the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children (www.brighthorizons.com)

Bright Horizons Family Solutions is the world's leading provider of employer-sponsored child care, early education and work/life solutions. The nonprofit Bright Horizons Foundation for Children was founded in 1999 to help forward the vision of Bright Horizons Family Solutions to make a difference in the lives of children and families.

About Oasis Center (www.oasiscenter.org)

Since 1970, Oasis Center has been addressing the needs of young people in Middle Tennessee through the mission of "helping youth grow, thrive, and create positive change in their lives and in the community." Each year Oasis Center provides life-changing opportunities to more than 3,000 youth and their families, who come from more than 60 schools and from homes where 26 different languages are spoken.

About the Nashville Mayor's Office of Children and Youth

The mission of the Mayor's Office of Children and Youth is to facilitate communication, coordination and collaboration among public and private entities on behalf of Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County's children and youth.

Copyright Business Wire 2005

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