Story by Sophia Wassick
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children is partnering with Hazel’s House of Hope to build Bright Spaces, a safe and comforting area designed mainly for children.
The area will give children the opportunity to explore creativity, literacy, and social and emotional learning, and will allow kids to connect through hands-on and meaningful experiences.
“There actually are children that reside there or need to spend the night there, and there’s just no place for them to be,” Cortlee Robey, Bright Horizons assistant director, said. “The materials that we are going to offer them will give them an opportunity to have learning-based materials that they otherwise probably wouldn’t encounter.”
The children’s area will be located in the top room of the lobby of Hazel’s House of Hope, which already has surveillance, restrooms, and a water fountain. By the time the project is finished, an art studio, a younger children’s reading nook, an older children’s reading nook, and a play space will all be intact. Additionally, Bright Horizons hopes to implement a healthy eating and foods area for children.
“We believe that every child deserves to have a community that comes together and supports them and their families, so that they can have a lasting change, and kind of represent this hope, healing, connection, and opportunity,” Jana Layton, Bright Horizons’ Instructional Coach and Partner of the Initiative, said.
Last but not least, Bright Horizons intends to build a fire place, so that residents and children can gather around and connect with one another.
“We’re also just thinking of those that are residents in the house already,” Layton stated. “Just a place for them to be at that’s just really cozy, and they can do their arts and crafts, puzzles, and reading. They also have this space that is welcoming for them.”
The room will be able to accommodate a large group of families and children.
The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children will fund half of this project. The other half must be fundraised. Hazel’s House of Hope and Bright Horizons is asking for community support to finish this project. Those interested may check out “WVU Child Learning Center” on Facebook to learn more information on how they can donate or volunteer.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.