Buzzing with innovation

BY HUNTER HARRELL

hile nonprofit organizations that serve and support children are common, The Hive is one that takes an inspiring approach to providing people of all ages opportunities to explore their passions. By creating a safe, inclusive space for creative expression, community mentors are able to help young personalities blossom.

The Hive founders, Kelsie Borland, Alex Vick and Jeff Hamner, each led various mentoring programs focused on creative arts and outdoor recreation, which invited people to participate in fun activities and develop new skills. In October of 2019, they created the nonprofit organization to increase their capacity for serving the community.

“We wanted to create a hub for existing programs, and expand the programs available,” Borland said. “Contrary to popular belief, youth want to engage in their community and give back, especially the underserved population.”

At The Hive, individuals can pursue opportunities to get involved in a variety of activities that help them become better community members. Volunteers facilitate workshops and chaperone youth while they seize opportunities to play music, create art, skate, snowboard and socialize. The Hive provides members with both the guidance and the freedom to try new hobbies.

Since opening, The Hive has served more than 120 youth and 50 families. And the pandemic only highlighted the importance of creating an environment for young people to develop. While schools were closed, The Hive was a place where students struggling with remote learning could find support.

“Kids got stuck at home, and their social lives got cut completely out,” Borland said. “They really struggled with being engaged and self-disciplined to complete projects on their own.”

Borland said that young people learn to overcome the mental and physical barriers to challenges of learning new skills with support. They can improve critical thinking, focus, patience and problem-solving while finding healthy ways to express themselves.

The Hive also organizes community service projects, including efforts to clean public spaces and contributions to public art. By collaborating with

Windividuals, businesses and other groups, the organization is able to keep youth active and engaged in their neighborhood. For example, The Dumpster Beautification Project is an on-going project that brings Hive members, local artists and residents together to paint WRC trash receptacles. The nonprofit also partnered with Dandelion Cafe during the pandemic for an on-going Heartwarming Soup Sale, and proceeds benefit local families that need help paying bills and buying groceries. And by engaging in tangible hobbies and service projects rather than a phone screen, Borland said the youth build important connections and improve socialemotional skills. They learn how to express emotion, resolve conflict, manage anxiety and stress and resist negative social pressure. The organization has a fresh vision for its new space located 1150 Main Avenue, which also houses In the Weeds, a nonprofit that offers social and economic assistance to employees in the restaurant industry, and Oak Tree Resources, which builds job skills and offers educational support for youths. “Adolescent-age youth want somewhere to go during the day, and the new space provides that center for socializing,” she said. The renovated building will be a gathering space for community members, an art gallery and a music venue with special features such as a community garden and an indoor skatepark.