Ten Years of Brighter Days: A Look at Growth, Adaptation, and Community Impact
This September marks ten years since the opening of Brighter Days Homeless Shelter, a milestone that reflects both the growth of a vital community resource and the continued commitment of Columbus to care for its neighbors in need.
Operated by Love Chapel, the shelter exists today because of the vision and persistence of former Executive Director Elizabeth Kessler, who helped bring the idea to life. Over the past decade, Brighter Days has become a steady and essential presence in the community, offering not just shelter, but a structured path forward for those experiencing homelessness.
That work continues today under the leadership of current Executive Director Kelly Daugherty, whose ongoing efforts have helped strengthen and expand the shelter’s role in the community. Through steady leadership and a focus on collaboration, Brighter Days continues to adapt to meet changing needs while staying grounded in its core mission.
What many may not realize is how much the shelter has evolved over time.
When Brighter Days first opened, it operated as a 24-hour facility. While well-intentioned, that model did not always encourage individuals to connect with resources that could help them move toward long-term stability. In response, the shelter adapted.
Today, Brighter Days operates as an overnight shelter with a structure designed to balance support with personal responsibility. Guests check in between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., with space for up to 50 individuals each night. Lights are out at 10 p.m., and guests depart by 8 a.m. the following morning. Before leaving, individuals receive breakfast items and a sack lunch to help sustain them through the day.
To stay at the shelter, individuals provide proof of local residency. From there, they have options.
A key part of the shelter’s mission is connecting people to resources that support long-term stability. Case management services are available for those who want to take that next step. Whether it’s finding employment, saving money, accessing treatment, or securing housing, individuals who choose to work with a caseworker may extend their stay beyond the standard 60-day limit.
For those who do not engage in case management, the shelter still offers a temporary, safe place to stay during that 60-day period. The goal is not to exclude, but to encourage progress while continuing to meet immediate needs.
During the winter months, the approach shifts. From November 21 through March 21, Brighter Days operates under a winter contingency period, expanding access to ensure no one is left without shelter in dangerous conditions. During this time, entry does not require participation in case management.
Beyond overnight shelter, daytime resources have also expanded. The Community Engagement Center provides a safe place for individuals experiencing homelessness to spend time during the day, especially during severe weather. While there, guests can receive meals and meet with staff who assess their needs and help connect them to available resources, including benefits such as Medicaid and SNAP.
These efforts are part of a broader, coordinated approach led by United Way of Bartholomew County and its homelessness initiative, along with a network of local nonprofits working together to strengthen and expand available resources. This collaboration has helped create a more connected system of support, allowing organizations to share knowledge, align services, and better meet individuals where they are.
That work began with the leadership of the city. Recognizing the growing challenges within the community, the mayor and city council took intentional steps to address homelessness in a more coordinated way, ultimately establishing a partnership with United Way to lead this initiative. In doing so, they helped build the bridge that brought organizations together under a more unified approach.
Today, that foundation continues to shape how the community responds. When public leadership and local organizations move in the same direction, it creates a stronger, more responsive system of care for those who need it most.
As Brighter Days approaches its ten-year anniversary, it stands as an example of how a community can learn, adapt, and strengthen its response to complex challenges. The need remains, but so does the commitment.
For many in Columbus, Brighter Days is more than a shelter. It is a place of second chances, steady progress, and the possibility of something better ahead.
