Doing Good at The Hive of the Ozarks

Across from Willard Middle School, The Hive of the Ozarks is an inviting coffee shop with a mission as warm and bold as its coffee. Led by former educator Melissa Skaggs, The Hive provides a safe, empowering space where people with developmental disabilities gain job experience and build valuable life skills while also serving lattes and baked goods. Celebrating its third anniversary in March, this unique nonprofit has become a hub of inclusion and opportunity for the community, acting as a launchpad for a demographic often overlooked and at a disadvantage in the workforce. 

Rooted in Education

Although she didn’t know it then, Skaggs’s journey to create The Hive started over 30 years ago, in the midst of her career in education. She taught high school FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences) and served as a junior high counselor, working with students of all abilities. “I noticed students with special needs often learned faster from peers than adults,” Skaggs shares. It was this observation that shaped her vision: a space where people of all abilities would work side-by-side, supporting each other in a real-world setting.

Skaggs gets teary-eyed recalling another employee proudly showing off his driver’s license, an achievement he thought impossible when he first started. 

The Hive offers hands-on work in all areas of hospitality, from food prep to customer service. This combination of practical and social skills makes employees more competitive job candidates once they “graduate” from The Hive. The cafe operates on a 500-hour internship model, with employees staying an average of two years. Skaggs calls it “the best kind of stepping stone.” 

With an age range of 15 to upper 30s, each employee brings a unique story to the team. Logan Harris, 18, shares, “I love the variety of people who come in and enjoy it [The Hive], then come back with others. It gives everyone an opportunity to make a difference.”

Overcoming the Odds

It wasn’t always smooth sailing. Skaggs overcame numerous obstacles bringing this dream to life, including seeking 501(c)(3) approval and opening during the pandemic. Finding a suitable location for The Hive—one with enough accessible parking—was also challenging, but Skaggs persevered. After months of searching, she finally secured the space in early 2021. Fourteen months later, The Hive opened its doors.

Employees like Lillian Smith, a 15-year-old barista, feel the difference working here makes in their lives. “It’s a great opportunity for me,” says Lillian, who has worked at The Hive for over a year. “Mrs. Skaggs is an awesome, gentle boss, very flexible. We have a great relationship, which is not something a lot of people have.” Bringing the mission of support full circle, Skaggs taught Smith’s mother in middle school in the 1990s.

Three years in, The Hive’s buzz is stronger than ever, with word of mouth the primary method of advertising. And although Skaggs admits she should do more traditional marketing—both time and money are pain points, as The Hive is not state- or federally funded—it seems word of mouth is working. At the time of our interview, Skaggs had a queue of 68 job applications. While many employers dream of numbers like that, Skaggs explains it’s “a testament to the fact that there’s a need for more opportunities like this.”

Coffee is Just the Beginning

For Skaggs, fostering connections in the community is a huge part of supporting her team. The Hive sources ingredients from local suppliers including Springfield’s Chabom Teas + Spices and organizes events like pie-baking contests and ice cream socials. This year, Skaggs will also introduce an alcohol-free nightlife concept, providing an inclusive, sober social space. She says, “People with special needs want to be included in social events, but at the same time are at higher risk for alcohol-related issues.” 

Visiting the Hive

Planning to stop by? Leave any mainstream expectations at home and prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Here are a few tips to enhance your visit and support the mission:

• Give yourself extra time.

• Ensure you have the employees’ attention before speaking. 

• Assume competence. This is a big one. Trust that the employees are capable professionals, ready and eager to serve.

As The Hive gears up for its third anniversary, Skaggs looks forward to finding new ways to welcome more people into this inclusive space, with disabilities or not. “We limit everyone’s potential as human beings when we don’t include people of all abilities,” she says.