Our Wish
From the moment Brighter Days first took shape, our team was guided by a shared dream: to create a family‑focused Grief and Wellness Center in the Twin Cities. A place where grieving children, teens, and adults could walk through the doors and immediately feel held by compassionate professionals, supported by peers, and surrounded by resources that honor the profound weight of a death or terminal diagnosis in the family.
Since opening our doors in 2016, that dream has steadily come to life. Through two acquisitions of renowned youth programs, two beautiful locations, and strong partnerships with Minnesota hospitals, hospices, schools, and community organizations, we have walked alongside tens of thousands of individuals across the state. The heartfelt testimonials from partners and families continue to affirm what we know to be true: when grief support is accessible, family‑centered, and grounded in compassion, healing becomes possible.
The success of our community‑based programming and our model of care has revealed something unmistakable. Minnesota families need and deserve a designated and compassionate space where children, adults, and entire families can find comfort, connection, and hope. Our next chapter is not simply about expanding square footage; it is about expanding possibility for every grieving family who turns to us.
As we look ahead, we invite you to help bring this vision to life. Your generosity fuels the moments of connection that grieving families rely on. With your partnership, we can build a center that reflects the depth of care our community deserves, a place where every individual and every family who walks through our doors feels supported and understood.
Our Capital Campaign is underway, and we are delighted to share that we are accepting pledges towards naming rights for our future build, shown above. We are forever grateful to ATS&R for the beautiful floorplans they created after listening to our vision; watch their concept video HERE.
Due to our acquisition of Youth Grief Services from MHealth Fairview in 2020, we updated our original design to include an expansive space dedicated to grieving children and teens, including an outdoor mini-camp! This space will allow for grief and trauma support, including expression rooms, as well as meaningful areas for workshops, crafts, games, movies, and so much more! All intended to provide unique and age-appropriate programming while connecting them to other grieving children and teens.
In addition to our usual programming, our future Grief and Wellness center will also provide plenty of space for reflection and tranquility. We envision designated areas for professional grief and trauma support and training; children’s expression rooms; a teen lounge with comfortable conversation and reading areas; a movie room; a large kitchen for weekend/evening coffee and dinner gatherings; a library for quiet reading and resources; a yoga studio; a meditation lounge for reflection and journaling; an arts and crafts room, a legacy room, and so much more.
Family events will also be held including day retreats, game and movie nights, cooking classes, scrapbooking events and potlucks in an effort to connect with other children and families. We also envision our center in beautiful surroundings with several fountains, walking trails, a labyrinth, a wishing well, gathering areas, play areas and plenty of cozy chairs to relax in. Our hope is that families will build new memories, take time to bond with others, and find hope in our sense of community.
As a way to create long term sustainability, we intend to have an attached auditorium for speaking events, benefit concerts, trainings, workshops, continuing education, memorial celebrations, benefit concerts, and author presentations. Within the lobby area, we will have a small boutique featuring meaningful items donated from local artists, authors, and businesses to give families and visitors the opportunity to leave with something HOPEFUL. It’s a perfect fit for the love and care we intend to pour into this very sacred space.
Creating legacy can feel important as a way to keep your name and your loved ones memory alive. If you would like your name, or theirs, to be a part of Brighter Days, we invite you to ask about opportunities for naming rights to several of the rooms and gathering spaces. These include the auditorium, gift shop, outdoor play areas, memorial wall, expression rooms, labyrinth, fountains, benches, gardens, walkway bricks, conversation areas, pathways, and trees.
