Young community leader is kind, easy-going, and wise beyond his years
Sixteen-year-old Ronnie Harris has grown up at The North Grove. He first got involved with the community hub when he was seven and signed up for the first ever session of Young Cooks. He still remembers those first lessons about food safety, chopping fruits and vegetables, and making pancakes.
In the summer of 2015, The North Grove’s Community Food Centre opened its doors on Primrose Street. A few staff recognized Ronnie playing with his friends in the neighbourhood and encouraged him to come by and check out the new space.
Before long he was enrolled in another Young Cooks session, and at only eight years old, he started helping out at the centre. Every Saturday morning at 6:00 am he would arrive eager to lend a hand at the Good Food Market & Cafe.
Being the youngest volunteer at The North Grove didn’t stop Ronnie from taking on big tasks. He recalls preparing the market signage with fellow volunteer, Doris, setting up tables and chairs, and helping to prepare and serve food to community members.
“I remember making a lot of frittatas. I hated them, but I loved making them.”
Ronnie grew up in a single-parent household in Dartmouth North with his mom, brother and sister. When he wasn’t attending school or volunteering, he spent his time playing basketball at the court near his house, playing games on the computers at the library, and attending various youth and after-school programs at The North Grove and the local community centre.
Throughout his school years Ronnie has remained connected to The North Grove. When the Community Farm was established, he helped with weeding, digging, and moving soil. Following the pandemic when in-person programming returned, he began volunteering on Monday evenings for Family Supper.
Now, the high school senior is at The North Grove every week, cleaning, setting tables, serving meals to families, and acting as a positive example for the youth volunteers from the local Junior High.
“I have been here since I was so young, so I’ve built a lot of my social and foundational skills here.”
Volunteerism and community are important to Ronnie. He is also involved with the local Boys and Girls Club and was recognized with the Boys and Girls Club Outstanding Youth Award in 2019.
One of his proudest accomplishments is receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s Respectful Citizenship Award in 2022. The award recognizes students who have shown leadership and commitment to creating safe and inclusive spaces in their schools and communities. He was selected as one of only two students from the region.
This spring, Ronnie completed an 80-hour co-op placement with The North Grove. He built a deeper understanding of how non-profit organizations operate, from fundraising to management to outreach. He also helped staff facilitate many of the hub’s community programs – he particularly enjoyed helping with Baby & Me.
“I had seen other people do their co-ops at The North Grove, so when I got the opportunity, I immediately thought of doing it here. I am already here all the time, I know that the work I am doing here is for the good of the community, and I like helping people.”
He had a full-circle moment during his co-op placement when he helped to facilitate the Young Cooks program for a new generation of youth.
This summer, Ronnie will complete an intensive co-op program, earning college credits before he has even graduated from high school. He will be attending Dartmouth High for his graduation year with hopes to play on the school football team. After high school he has goals to complete post-secondary education, own a business, and stay involved in the community as much as possible.
As he gets ready to launch into the next phase of his life, Ronnie recognizes the impact The North Grove and the Dartmouth North community have had on his life.
“I feel like I’ve been helped personally by so many different organizations, now it’s my turn to give back.”
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