The HIVE expanding to Allen County in 2026, bringing services for adults with disabilities

Nonprofit known for creating a safe, social, and enriching environment for adults announces it will open a second location in Allen County in early 2026

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A nonprofit known for creating a safe, social, and enriching environment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is expanding its reach. The HIVE, Inc. announced it will open a second location in Allen County in early 2026, marking a major milestone for the organization and the communities it serves.

Laura Orsland, founder and executive director of The HIVE, said the expansion wasn’t necessarily planned—but rather a response to community need and a bit of serendipity.

“It was a matter of happenstance as much as anything,” Orsland said. “We’ve had communities all across Kentucky ask if they could have a HIVE, but in Allen County, we found a network of people who were ready to collaborate, especially in the schools. The community is tight-knit and responsive, and that made all the difference.”

The project is being made possible through support from the Laura Goad Turner Charitable Foundation, a group that Orsland says has “done so much to improve the quality of life for people in Allen County.” The foundation’s backing provides the resources necessary to begin building out a facility with the same vibrancy as the Bowling Green location.

“We’re looking for a space that gives us room to do everything we do here,” Orsland said. “A classroom, a studio, space for art and independent living activities, a yard for gardening—this new HIVE needs to feel just like home.”

Though the exact location hasn’t been revealed, the plan is to begin transitioning operations in January 2026, with the official opening scheduled for later that spring. Orsland says she expects the facility will serve not just Allen County, but surrounding areas like Barren County as well.

“There are a lot of folks in rural areas who find it hard to get to Bowling Green,” she said. “This will give them a closer, more accessible option for the support they deserve.”

The person leading the new location is Hannah Parker, a former Western Kentucky University social work intern who now serves as The HIVE’s full-time program manager. Parker says she’s eager to bring resources, connection, and joy to Allen County and beyond.

“I really want to be a part of that change,” she said. “I believe anyone can succeed with the right support and resources, and I’m excited to help make that happen in a brand-new space.”

Parker has already started building relationships in the area, including by attending community events like the First Friday gatherings in Scottsville. She said she’s also spoken with local families and is working to get the word out through schools and social media.

Orsland and Parker both say the goal isn’t just to expand—it’s to make a lasting impact. “We don’t measure success by the number of people we serve,” Orsland said. “We measure it by the difference we make in each of their lives.”