BrightStone

Bagels & Bros 🥯💙

This morning, we celebrated the special fathers, brothers, and loved ones who make such a difference in the lives of our students with a bagel and coffee breakfast.

We loved welcoming families to campus and celebrating the people who encourage, support, and cheer on our students every step of the way.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and Happy Father's Day to all the incredible dads and father figures in our BrightStone family! 💛

A little sweetness in the kitchen ☀️🍮

BrightStone's Cooking Club made pudding today, while practicing important kitchen skills. Students used measuring cups, chose the correct utensils, and followed step-by-step directions to add the right ingredients in the right amounts.

Along the way, they focused on following a recipe, identifying what ingredients are necessary, and working together with confidence.

At BrightStone, every recipe is an opportunity for students to build skills, practice independence, and grow through hands-on learning. 💛

Taking advantage of the beautiful summer weather! ☀️

Recently, the men of the Ferrell Home spent an afternoon at Aspen Grove Park, staying active, getting some exercise, and spending quality time together.

These outings are just one of the many ways BrightStone residents stay connected, engaged, and involved in the community.

What's your favorite summer activity? Tell us in the comments below! 💛

We're hiring! 💙

Join the BrightStone team and help create opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn, grow, work, and thrive.

Current openings include:

🍽️ Kitchen Manager – Plan and prepare nutritious meals and snacks that support the health and dietary needs of BrightStone students.

🩺 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Oversee personal care needs, medication administration, medical records, staff training, and individualized support plans for students.

🚌 Bus Driver (Part-Time Morning Shift) – Provide safe and reliable transportation for adult students to and from campus and community activities.

🏡 Home Support – Third Shift (Part-Time or Full-Time) – Help create a healthy, happy, and safe home environment for up to four semi-independent residents.

🏡 Weekend Relief Home Support Staff – Support residents on weekends by fostering a safe, nurturing, and encouraging living environment.

To learn more and apply, visit www.brightstone.org.

Know someone who would be a great fit? Share this post and help us spread the word!

Volunteers like Lin and Tom help make possibilities a reality at BrightStone.

When a need arose in our Art Lab, Tom crafted a simple but powerful piece of assistive technology. The custom wood block securely holds materials in place, allowing students to sand wood pieces more independently and confidently.

In this photo, you can see Lin alongside BrightStone student Tammy as she uses the device during an Art Lab project.

At BrightStone, meaningful progress often happens through the generosity, creativity, and dedication of people who share their talents with our community. We're grateful for volunteers like Lin and Tom, whose willingness to serve helps create opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and succeed.

Thank you, Lin and Tom, for making a difference and supporting BrightStone!

Interested in volunteering at BrightStone? Learn more at www.brightstone.org

We're hiring! ❤️

Join the BrightStone team and help create opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn, grow, work, and thrive.

Current openings include:
🚌 Bus Driver (Part-Time Morning Shift) – Provide safe and reliable transportation for adult students to and from campus and community activities.

🏡 Home Support – Third Shift (Part-Time or Full-Time) – Help create a healthy, happy, and safe home environment for up to four semi-independent residents.

🏡 Weekend Relief Home Support Staff – Support residents on weekends by fostering a safe, nurturing, and encouraging living environment.

🩺 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Oversee personal care needs, medication administration, medical records, staff training, and individualized support plans for students.

To learn more and apply, visit www.brightstone.org

Know someone who would be a great fit? Share this post and help us spread the word!

At A Night Full of Stars, we celebrated the friendships that make BrightStone so special. Now, we invite you to see those friendships in action every day.

Watch "Friendship at BrightStone" and see the joy, encouragement, and connection that make our community so unique. These relationships are a reminder that BrightStone is not only where students learn and grow, but a place where genuine friendships change lives.

Friendship at BrightStone At BrightStone, friendship is connection, belonging, and family. He...

We are incredibly honored and proud to have been chosen as one of the Circle of Giving's 2026-2027 nonprofit beneficiaries for the impact we are having on the community and the lives of the adults we serve.

The Circle of Giving announces 2026-27 beneficiaries The Circle of Giving is “bigger than just a carousel,” said Brandy Blanton at The COG Experience event on Sunday, May 31.

✨ Friendship took center stage at A Night Full of Stars, and our hearts are still full from such an unforgettable evening.

A heartfelt thank you to Carly Pearce for sharing her incredible talent and helping make the evening so special. We are grateful for her generosity and for the unforgettable performance she brought to our stage.

We are so proud of our BrightStone Show Choir for their outstanding performance. Their joy, hard work, and passion were on full display, and they truly shined throughout the evening.

We are also grateful to our host for the evening, Tom Riles, and our very own BrightStone student, Mr. Bill, for serving as co-host. Their humor and enthusiasm helped make the night even more memorable.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Atmos Energy, along with all of our generous sponsors whose support helped make A Night Full of Stars possible. Your partnership allows us to continue creating opportunities, building community, and celebrating the incredible individuals we serve.

From laughter and music to stories and friendship, it was a beautiful reminder that life is brighter when we share it with others.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this spectacular night. 💙 🌟

📸 : Elaine Drabik Photography

⭐ A Night Full of Stars is almost here! ⭐️

Tomorrow night, we’ll gather for an unforgettable evening celebrating the incredible BrightStone community. 💙

Have you placed your bids in our Silent Auction yet? There’s still time to win amazing experiences, gift cards, getaways, and more, all while supporting BrightStone! But don’t wait too long… bidding closes tomorrow, May 30, at 8:45 PM CT. Click here to get started: stars26.givesmart.com

If you’re attending the event, visit brightstone.org/news-and-events/ and click “Attending A Night Full of Stars? Be event ready!” before tomorrow night. We can't wait to see you there! ✨