WATERTOWN, Mass., Sep 19, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In an effort to provide support and resources to children and families who have been affected by the tragic events of last week, Bright Horizons Family Solutions has partnered with Mercy Corps and J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. to launch an emergency response effort in New York City and other areas affected by the September 11th tragedy.

Having just returned from New York City, Linda Mason, Chairman of the Board of Bright Horizons said that, "The environment in the city was sobering. Police were everywhere, streets were blocked off, security in all buildings was tight. Yet I was also inspired by a sense of compassion and commitment to help those in need, especially families and children."

The goal of the partnership is to provide support for parents and child care providers to help them deal with issues of grief, fear, tolerance and security. The emergency response effort focuses on the following components: counseling sessions for parents in New York City; a "train the trainers" program to train counselors, teachers and caregivers to conduct counseling sessions in child care centers, schools, community centers, and places of worship; broad distribution of a pamphlet for parents and teachers that addresses issues of helping children and families cope with the recent events; and distribution of "Comfort Kits" to children who have been touched by this crisis, which will include materials and messages designed to comfort, reassure and encourage reflection and expression.

Bright Horizons has also provided resources to parents and child care providers through a link on the company Web site that offers articles and information on how to help children cope with tragedy. For more information, visit the Bright Horizons Web site at www.brighthorizons.com.

Based in Massachusetts, Bright Horizons Family Solutions (http://www.brighthorizons.com) is one of America's largest providers of work-site child care, back-up care, early education and work/life consulting services. Bright Horizons manages more than 340 Family Centers worldwide for more than 250 clients, which include 77 of the Fortune 500. With child care centers in Europe and the Pacific Rim, Bright Horizons serves a wide array of international and multinational companies.

Since the founding of its earliest predecessor firm in 1799, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. has played a leading role in global finance. With headquarters in New York City and offices worldwide, the firm employs more than 100,000 employees that serve business, government and individual clients.

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided over $575 million in assistance to 73 nations. The agency's programs currently reach 5 million people in more than 25 countries, including the United States. Mercy Corps is a nonprofit organization with headquarters offices in Portland (Oregon), Seattle (Washington), Washington, DC, and Edinburgh, Scotland. Over 95 percent of the agency's resources are allocated directly to programs that help those in need.

CONTACT:
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Beth Krudys
617-673-8020