“The world needs different kinds of minds to work together... Don’t let the mind limit what the heart can do.” 

The words written on the top of a traveling art display celebrate perseverance, togetherness and breaking the stigma that surrounds behavioral health treatment. 

The Be Well Bell for Firefly is actually 12 pieces of art in one. Each of its 12 sections represents part of an organization dedicated to serving hundreds of Missourians with mental and/or physical disabilities so they may live more fulfilling lives. Firefly clients and team members from across Missouri painted sections of the ceremonial bell that has been transformed into a single work of art signifying hope and perseverance. 

Firefly provides employment support services by working with a diverse section of employers and provides supported living services to qualified clients in their homes. After a series of unveilings at sites across Missouri, the bell will travel and be displayed at different Firefly offices. 

Firefly President Celesta Hartgraves herself picked up the brushes to give a blank bell a coat of primer. She then used some tape to create 12 sections on the bell’s exterior that would serve as the canvases for artists to create. 

“Clients and staff throughout the state of Missouri who are part of Firefly were really truly able to put their mark on this bell and show what the care and support they get from Firefly means to them,” Hartgraves said. 

Firefly Client Accounts Specialist Christina Douglas coordinated the Springfield metro area’s portion of the bell, which features clients’ fingerprints made to look like fireflies in flight.  

“Just like fingerprints, we are all unique and incredible because there is no one else like you in the entire world,” Douglas said. “This variety is what makes us who we are — our talents, strengths, personalities and weaknesses.” 

Some of the fingerprints are made with glow-in-the-dark paint, truly putting the Firefly effect on the artwork. 

Firefly team members can see representation of their work in aiding persons with disabilities on each section of the bell. 

“Support and care for our team members and clients is the Firefly way,” Hartgraves said. “The jobs we have are very stressful, very challenging. We have a lot of clients who have experienced trauma in their lives, and so we are committed to care for and support our clients and our team members.” 

The Be Well Bell displays provide viewers with information on how to access behavioral health care as part of an effort to remove barriers and increase access to quality health care. The QR code also links to information on resources for housing, sheltering, food assistance and other crisis resources. 

“It represents Firefly’s commitment, not just to their clients, but also to the wellness of their employees and the communities they serve and provide for,” Brightli Director of Be Well Initiatives Bailey Pyle said. “Really, I cannot think of a better organization to represent caring for the whole human.” 

The Be Well Bell program offers blank bells to be painted with a meaningful design for public display. The bell is symbolic in the world of behavioral health. When state-run asylums were closed, metal workers took the chains and shackles that were once used to restrain institutionalized persons and cast the metal to make bells. 

There are 21 Be Well Bells art installations on display in locations throughout Missouri. They are all permanent art installations, but the Firefly bell will travel between different Firefly locations across the state, with unveiling ceremonies in Springfield, Joplin, St. Louis, Kansas City, Cape Girardeau. 

“It’s our first road show bell,” Pyle said. “Every Firefly member and client had the opportunity to be a part of this project, which is really what a community arts project is — making sure everybody’s voice is represented, that people have their chance to put their mark and their chance on this bell.” 

About Firefly: Firefly Supported Living and Employment Services serves hundreds of persons with mental and/or physical disabilities so they may live independently and participate in their communities. Firefly provides individualized supported living and meaningful employment services in 23 cities across Missouri. Learn more at fireflyservices.org   

About Brightli: Brightli, Inc.’s subsidiaries include Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare, Places for People, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, Adult & Child Health, Firefly Supported Living & Employment Services, Comprehensive Mental Health Services, and Clarity Healthcare. While these organizations operate independently and are governed by separate boards of directors, Brightli’s parent-company model allows them to collaborate, share resources and system supports, increase team member recruiting and retention efforts, increase access to specialized care, and meet the growing demand for behavioral and addiction recovery care. Learn more at livebrightli.org 

Media contact: Rance Burger, director of media relations for Brightli, rance.burger@burrellcenter.com