Brightli Foundation

This program offers clients healing experiences in nature—like hiking, fishing, and other group activities—while also providing essentials such as food, backpacks, and gear. It was inspired by the Community Focus Report’s emphasis on the therapeutic value of natural environments, especially post-pandemic. It is all made possible through grant funding from Bass Pro Foundation and Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

We provided six new EMDR kits to Burrell clinicians! Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma treatment tool used in therapy. When practitioners are struggling to make progress, such as with clients with Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNES), EMDR can be an option for them. 

This outpatient program focuses on youth resiliency. Youth ages 12-18 receive counseling, group therapy, school supplies, clothing assistance, mentorship through trusted adult figures who provide emotional support, and more. It’s designed to support kids who might otherwise fall through the cracks. 

The IMPART Program is a powerful initiative that keeps mothers in recovery and infants together during treatment. It provides both inpatient and outpatient services for pregnant women and new mothers, including parenting education and support for babies born with substance exposure. The goal is to reduce out-of-home placements, improve the health moms and their babies, and strengthen family bonds. Sigma House endowment funds support the basic essentials to help the clients thrive. 

We helped fund the Burrell Behavioral Health Teen Autism Center. This rare facility for the state of Missouri serves youth ages 12-18, providing continued care during a critical developmental window. Brightli Foundation’s ongoing support of the Autism Center includes support for sensory equipment, calming furniture, and a welcoming environment.

Recognizing the gap in care during school breaks, Brightli Foundation funds school-based summer therapy programs. These include summer camps and mailed therapy kits for children who receive mental health services during the school year but may lose access over the summer. This ensures continuity of care for vulnerable youth.

We help provide glasses to children at Columbia Public Schools through the Clarity Healthcare SCHOLAR Clinic. For nearly 50% of students who are eligible for free or reduced lunches, they receive services free of charge. This helps children stay in school and be able to confidently focus on their education. 

This service line helps restore hope and rebuild the lives of survivors of domestic violence, which includes both women and children. Bridgeway, a division of PFH, operates the only two emergency safe shelters and outreach support centers in St. Charles and Lincoln counties. Each individual and family has access to shelter, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, life-skills training, and outreach services. 

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training has been funded with support from the Kansas City Royals Foundation and is vital because it equips individuals with the skills to recognize the warning signs of suicide and take immediate, potentially life-saving action. By investing in this evidence-based program, communities can build a network of informed gatekeepers who help reduce stigma and connect people in crisis to the support they need. It ultimately strengthens mental health resilience and saves lives. 

This service line at Places for People builds the resilience, skills, and positive support systems necessary to promote healthy development for children, youth, and those transitioning to adulthood. It not only strengthens families, but the community as a whole. 

A new bed was more than a new bed to a Firefly client, as sleep is essential for good health and well-being.  

Our staff said, "Maxine loves her bed. She says that it is beautiful and long enough that she doesn't hang over the edge. She couldn't believe that there are people nice enough that care to do things like that." 

By providing funding to support an autism services assessment, a client was able to get an official diagnosis. This led to them being able to access needed resources and services, learn to better understand their unique strengths and challenges, and foster self-acceptance and self-advocacy.   

We were able to supply Welcome Home Baskets to survivors of domestic violence that are starting a new life and new home. The baskets were full of towels, pots and pans, cleaning supplies, dish sets, bed sheets, pillows, and kitchen necessities to help them get started.  

In efforts to empower middle school students against drugs and violence, we were able to sponsor a Leaders in Training summit. By investing in prevention for our youth early on, we know it will help them make more informed decisions as they grow that can impact the trajectory of their life.   

We were able to provide RecoverED, a Burrell program for people living with eating disorders, the supplies to cover everything needed for a garden. It is helping address food insecurity, improve client's relationship with food, and create a new outlet to experience joy.

Our 2024 CoMoGives campaign raised $4,500 to help provide optometry services to children in need at Columbia Public Schools. 

This 2024 year-end campaign raised $96,455 for Places for People to use for their greatest behavioral healthcare needs impacting all ages in St. Louis, MO. 

To celebrate Autism Awareness Month and Chandler's birthday in April of 2025, there were 2 bingo nights and a full month of pizza donation proceeds given by Maso Pizza Bar. Results coming soon!

This family-friendly event took place on May 2, 2025. Results coming soon!

This campaign benefited Places for People's Youth & Family Program from April 18-May 31. Results coming soon! 

To help promote our 2024 year-end CoMoGives digital fundraiser, Clear Vision For Kids, we had the opportunity to be interviewed on The Daily Blend in Columbia, MO along with SCHOLAR Clinic staff!

The Brightli Foundation received a grant for $10,000 from the Community Foundation of the Ozark’s Everyone Outdoors Grant programs to help expand Brightli’s nature therapy program in southwest Missouri. 

The 2025 Spring Campaign, "Together, We Grow," which benefits Places for People's youth and family services, was featured on Show Me St. Louis!