Coffee brings us together. It encourages us to meet new people and catch up with old friends. This is why we have partnered with The North Grove Dartmouth for our June Community Cups Roast, Primrose Perk!
Tell us about The North Grove!
The North Grove is a dynamic community hub located in the heart of Dartmouth North, one of our city’s most challenged communities. Our family and community food centre offer programs, services and space for people to connect through family support, food and friendship. We strive to create supportive space for learning and community connections to form and grow.
With a population of almost 13,000, Dartmouth North has the highest poverty rate in the municipality (33%). Almost one in every two of children in Dartmouth North are living in poverty and 58% of families are lone parent households. The community is also home to more seniors, living alone, than any other area in Halifax’s Regional Municipality with almost half of its residents living on their own.
Is there anything that you wish more people knew about The North Grove?
“So much happens at The North Grove! Through our hub model, community members of all ages are able to connect with us and our partner organizations. For instance, in the summer our Community Farm becomes a hive of activity with food and family programs for toddlers to seniors and everyone in between! It is alive with Community Gardeners trading tips, farm volunteers harvesting vegetables for community meals, kids in Sunshine Gang playing in the Children’s Discovery Garden, Peer Advocates offering drop-in, and people sitting around the picnic tables just having a chat and a rest.” - Abi Hodson, Communications & Partnership Coordinator
Tell us more about North Grove’s advocacy work!
The North Grove’s Community Action Office is a hub of activity. Staff and Peer Advocates work with participants on everything from filling out forms and navigating tenancy rights to organizing voter engagement campaigns like Speak Up! Show Up!
While many things have changed in the past two years, the work of the Community Action Office has been continuous and responsive to community needs. In 2021 the office received more than 565 visits from participants for support with taxes, peer support, community action appointments, and workshops. We also welcomed four Peer Advocates to the team and engaged participants in two Speak Up! Show Up! voter engagement campaigns.
“It’s really cool to be present as people advocate for themselves and each other.” -Tammy Shields, Community Action Coordinator
How can someone get involved with The North Grove? Where can people go to learn more?
- Stay in touch! Sign up for our e-newsletter at www.thenorthgrove.ca to hear what’s going on!
- Volunteer! We are also excited to welcome back volunteers who are the heart of The North Grove and invite people with some extra time to join our volunteer program.
- Join our community of supporters.
- Donate! If folks have the capacity, we always value the impacts of a monthly contribution. Monthly donors provide consistent and reliable support that makes our programming possible.