If you have visited The North Grove's dining room, you may have noticed our beautiful living plant wall. Did you know that our plants thrive thanks to a special team of dedicated volunteers?
A volunteer crew from the Dartmouth Adult Services Centre (DASC) visits The North Grove about once a week to water, prune and tend to the plants. We connected with DASC in the spring of 2023 and developed a strong partnership with their Recreation and Leisure Club (RLC).
DASC is an organization that gives individuals with intellectual disabilities the support they need to become active members of their community. The RLC organizes a wide variety of offsite activities with community organizations like The North Grove.
“The partnership made sense because our volunteer program’s purpose aligns with their recreation and leisure program’s purpose. It's all about building relationships, community connections, and both individual and collective capacity" says Catherine Morley, Volunteer Manager at The North Grove.
DASC's offsite recreation and leisure activities provide positive and meaningful experiences while maintaining choice and individuality. Club members can choose to take part in activities that they enjoy - like music therapy, art, yoga, dance, swimming, skating, plant care, and more.
As our partnership has grown, we have found other ways to work together. The club also uses The North Grove's Family Kitchen – the ideal space for cooking and baking!
“I saw all of the wonderful cooking-related classes and volunteer opportunities you have but noted a gap when it came to the population we serve,” says Erin Samson, Direct Support Professional (DSP) at DASC.
“There were opportunities for children and families, volunteering for meal prep etc., but there wasn't something that really suited our participants.”
Now, the RLC’s small-group baking is a regular part of our partner programming, held about twice a month at The North Grove. We know when the group is here because they fill the space with a warm and happy energy, and delicious smells!
"It's fun! We cook and bake. I like being with friends." - DASC Program Participant
"DASC also brings a very important accessibility lens to The North Grove," says Catherine Morley.
“As a partner organization of ours, staff members from DASC attended our Imagine our Future planning session. They brought some really helpful insights, and we know that accessibility is an area where we can grow.”
We asked some of DASC’s regular volunteers how The North Grove's volunteer program has made a difference in their lives. Their responses speak volumes.
"I like working with the plants and learning something new. The plants calm me down."
"I like it – I feel proud about it."
"I like working here. It makes me feel good inside."
“The building's accessibility is great, with ample parking, accessible washrooms and automatic doors. Staff have been nothing but incredibly welcoming and kind every time we visit,” says Erin Samson.
The care and love the volunteers show to the plant wall is so special, but the plants are secondary to the relationships that are built in The North Grove’s main dining room with the food centre staff and other volunteers.
The DASC volunteers often share a snack at break time with volunteers who are here for their Meal Prep shift. At other times, our Food Demo program is happening in the dining room, so the participants can take in the demonstration during or after their work.
“Many of our participants are working on healthy eating and lifestyle goals. Taking part in the morning snack or attending the cooking demonstrations has aided in conversations around healthy choices and opportunities to try new flavours and foods that otherwise would likely not occur” says Erin.
The DASC participants have also built a relationship with Community Meals Coordinator, Chris, through working nearby in the dining room. Now, whenever they visit The North Grove to bake, they make sure to bring him a sample of whatever they have made to get the chef’s seal of approval!
Over the past year, The North Grove has worked with 26 different partner organizations. Partners like DASC make us stronger and fill in the gaps in our programs and services with specific knowledge and skill sets that support the community.
"The relationship between the Recreation and Leisure Club and The North Grove is profoundly positive and impactful," says Erin.
“participants find the centre to be a welcoming and inclusive place where they feel valued. They enjoy the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and eagerly anticipate their visits. Activities like volunteering to care for a plant wall further enhance their sense of belonging and community participation."
If your organization is interested in partnering with The North Grove, please reach out to Hub Services Manager, Caralee McDaniel to discuss how our groups can work together to build a thriving community.
902 464 8234 ext. 1011
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