Joshua's Friends
for Exceptional Families

Vine Grove, Kentucky

Every person here is celebrated.

Joshua's Friends is a safe place for special needs families to gather, belong and have fun together.

Give $1 a DayOur Story
A smiling young man in a life vest swims at a Joshua's Friends pool party

Our story

It started with a son named Joshua.

Dr. TJ and Liz Kimble both knew what a hard start in life felt like. In 2007, they founded Joshua's Friends, named in honor of their son, Joshua, who has Down syndrome.

Throughout their lives, they touched countless families in Hardin County, giving their knowledge, empathy and time. Dr. TJ dreamed of a dedicated haven where exceptional families could gather and find understanding.

In August 2021, Dr. TJ and Liz passed away. We bought a building in Vine Grove to carry their work forward, and today its doors are open.

Now it's our turn to keep the candle lit.

Help Keep the Doors OpenMeet Dr. TJ and Liz
Dr. TJ and Liz Kimble smiling together in a coffee shop

A place for the whole family

We provide a safe and supportive environment for exceptional individuals, including their siblings and caregivers, to gather, socialize and experience life skills as a community.

The Blaze baseball team, players and coaches together in team jerseys
Our Blaze Baseball team, where everyone gets to play.
A coach helps a young player in a wheelchair swing at a ball on a tee

Blaze Baseball

Every week, ages 5 and up

An all-inclusive team that meets once a week. We provide the equipment for players.

Three friends in superhero masks pose in front of a comic-book backdrop

Dream Center Socials

Once a month

Food and fun provided. Superhero Saturdays for ages 12 and under, Sunday Fundays for ages 13 and up.

Families playing together in a large outdoor pool

Pool Parties

June and July

Two parties every year. We provide food and drinks for everyone.

A row of electronic pulltab machines at the Vine Grove Game Room

Charitable Gaming

Vine Grove and Radcliff

Play at the Vine Grove Game Room or Southland Bingo Hall. Proceeds go directly to Joshua’s Friends.

The Dream Center building in Vine Grove, with its copper-colored roof and covered porch

The Dream Center

Our doors are open, and we're still building.

Families are welcome at the Dream Center right now, as we keep improving the building and expanding what we can offer. We want every exceptional family in Hardin County to know they have a community and reliable support right here.

See What We're Building

Start with $1 a day.

A small monthly gift helps keep the doors open for exceptional families in Hardin County.

Give Monthly