About Our NonProfit Organization:

brighter thoughts, brighter days, Inc.

Our goal is to become the premier resource where healing, hope, and opportunity come together for foster youth, youth in need, and youth in crisis. By building strong partnerships and connecting resources across our community, we are committed to creating lasting positive change and encouraging every young person to embrace the belief: "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life."

Support

“The vision for BTBD, Inc. is deeply personal and rooted in both family legacy and professional purpose. Growing up, I watched my late mother, Linda Sue Thompson, and older sisters, Yolonda and Kristy, open not only their homes, but also their hearts, to children and families in need. Their compassion, strength, and willingness to provide stability during difficult times showed me early on the life-changing impact of feeling safe, supported, and cared for.

That foundation inspired my lifelong passion for serving foster youth, youth in crisis, and vulnerable families. My career began as a DHS Family Service Worker in Saline County and expanded into more than twenty years of experience across school-based settings, outpatient therapy, inpatient behavioral health, medical social work, and private practice. I also spent over fourteen years in the largest children’s behavioral health hospital in Arkansas, advancing from Therapist to Lead Therapist and ultimately Assistant Clinical Director. As Lead Therapist, I developed and led a placement stabilization and transition program designed to facilitate safe community placements for foster youth transitioning from psychiatric care.

Throughout my work, I witnessed too many children unable to return home or transition into the community because of limited placements, instability, or lack of support systems. Those experiences strengthened my belief that children thrive when they are given structure, compassion, advocacy, and individualized care in supportive environments where healing and growth are possible.

BTBD, Inc. was created from that belief and from a passion to use my experience across multiple systems to help children and families find hope, healing, and opportunity. My work is continually guided by my favorite scripture, Philippians 4:8, and the belief that the greatest barrier we often face is our mindset. At the heart of this vision is a simple but powerful message:

“Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.”

A NonProfit Dedicated to Supporting foster youth, Youth In Need, and youth in Crisis Through Hope, Healing, and Advocacy

Our Mission

Brighter Thoughts, Brighter Days, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advocacy, family support, and trauma-informed therapeutic services that promote safety, stability, and emotional well-being. Our mission is to uplift foster youth, youth in need, and youth in crisis by meeting them where they are, helping them heal from past trauma, build self-worth, and develop the skills they need to thrive during and beyond their time in our program.

Through community partnerships, family-centered support, and youth-focused programming, we strive to ensure that every youth in need and crisis feels seen, supported, and hopeful about their future.

Our Vision

Our vision is a future where every foster youth, youth in need and youth in crisis experiences consistent care, emotional support, and meaningful opportunities for growth. Brighter Thoughts, Brighter Days, Inc. envisions a system where all youth are empowered, families are supported, and trauma-informed care is the standard—not the exception.

We are committed to expanding access to supportive programs, transitional services, and safe, healing-centered environments that promote healing, stability, and successful transitions into stable, permanent family placements or independent adulthood.

building a brighter future together

Brighter Thoughts, Brighter Days, Inc. is preparing to open a safe, structured home designed to support adolescent girls who need a stable environment to heal, grow, develop essential life skills, and continue their journey toward a brighter future.

We are proud to have achieved the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) Systems Accreditation on June 1, 2026, demonstrating our commitment to quality, accountability, and person-centered services. We are currently completing the remaining steps necessary to open our first home, including site approval, licensing, and program readiness requirements.

Our first home is designed to provide a small, supportive setting for up to five adolescent girls at a time, with a focus on stability, trauma-informed support, life skills development, and helping each young person successfully transition toward family, community, and long-term goals.

Current Needs & Start-Up Expenses

Donations received will help cover:

Furnishing and preparing a safe, welcoming home environment for youth
Beds, dressers, linens, kitchen supplies, and household essentials
Accreditation and licensing fees required to operate services
Staff training and professional development
Criminal background checks and compliance requirements
Adequate staffing to ensure safety, supervision, and quality programming
Trauma-informed programming, life skills development, and supportive services
Administrative and operational costs associated with launching a new nonprofit organization

Why Your Support Matters

Every contribution—large or small—helps create a stable and supportive environment where youth can feel safe, valued, and empowered. Your generosity helps us build more than a house; it helps us create a home and an opportunity for brighter futures.

We understand the importance of transparency and accountability. As we continue to grow, we are committed to keeping supporters informed about our progress, milestones, and the impact donations are making in the lives of youth and families we serve.

Thank you for believing in our mission and investing in hope, healing, and brighter days ahead.

Donate

Your generous, Tax-Deductible donation enables us to provide essential support and resources to children and families.

We welcome community sponsors and partners who share our vision for supporting youth in need.

Please contact our Founder and Executive Director, Jennifer D. Nelson, at jennifer@changeyourthoughts.org or (501) 960-1711 to learn more about partnership and sponsorship opportunities.

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