“So… what now?” is a question that often plagues Gen Z as they begin their transition into adulthood. Feeling the lingering effects of the pandemic, many young adults face a lot of anxiety about their future careers or life paths. Luckily, a Richmond nonprofit is working overtime to help make sure no youth are left behind. The Hive aims to support Virginia youth as they transition into adulthood amidst an ever-changing world.
One of The Hive’s programs, The Young Innovator Squad, helps those ages 18-25 identify their goals and access resources and wraparound services that help them grow and succeed. Through weekly case management and regular workshops, The Hive’s staff provides resources that support basic needs, mental health, transportation and workforce readiness.
Similarly, through a partnership with the Aya Collective in the VCU Department of Psychology, The Hive is launching the EMBRace program in 2025. This new program focuses on program focuses on a younger age group (ages 15-17) and includes guardians and psychologists that work to create a space where families can discuss and work together in processing racial trauma and navigate effective healing-centered conversations.
But co-founder of The Hive, Trey Hart, wants Richmond to know the nonprofit has many big dreams beyond their current offerings.
“What we’re trying to do with The Hive is about a cultural shift for the Richmond region, and also across the country,” Hart said. “It takes more than a few programs here and there. It takes a cultural and mindset shift to understand how we come together to work as a community to support the next generation.”
This grand, yet unique, approach came naturally to the co-founders who both have art-based backgrounds.
“As artists we make space, and we help people imagine worlds that are not the current reality, and as artists we can build that reality,” Hart added.
With creativity, ambition and empathy are at its core, The Hive is celebrating its third anniversary this October. Looking forward, the organization has many big plans, including a multi-acre campus in Richmond dedicated to being a supportive community for youth who would usually age out of the foster care system or wind up in the juvenile legal system.
To learn more about The Hive and their programs or to support its work, click here.
