Alora wasn’t created in a boardroom — it was born in a home.

In 2017, Nicole Kanaman and her husband made a decision that would change their lives forever. With a background in behavioral science and a Ph.D. in psychology, Nicole had spent years focused on clinical support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). But it wasn’t until she and her husband opened their home to two adults with IDD that everything shifted.

What started as an act of service quickly became something deeper: a relationship grounded in trust, routine, joy, and real human connection. They were no longer “caregivers.” They were family.

A Gap Too Big to Ignore

Through that lived experience, Nicole saw firsthand how powerful shared living can be — and how few families had access to it. Many individuals with IDD were placed in settings that didn’t reflect their values, interests, or potential. Families searching for meaningful options felt overwhelmed and unsupported. And too often, “care” meant compliance, not connection.

Nicole knew there had to be a better way.

The Birth of Alora

Alora was founded to reimagine shared living — with systems that are compassionate, human-centered, and backed by research. Built on the belief that care should feel like family, Alora connects individuals with IDD to host providers who open their homes and hearts, creating stable, inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

Nicole leads Alora with both clinical insight and lived experience. She understands the emotional journey of saying yes to someone new, the responsibility that comes with care, and the joy that follows when people are truly seen.