A community hub in Dartmouth North is celebrating a record-breaking year for volunteering.

The North Grove says over the past year more than 170 volunteers of all ages have logged 10, 810 hours at their organization.

This has a value of more than $250,000.

“That’s a 10 per cent boost to our budget,” says Executive Director Laura Horn in a news release. “From our front desk to our dining room, our playroom to our Community Farm, volunteers play an enormous role in every aspect of The North Grove’s programming.”

“We fundraise half of our budget every year, so having volunteers contribute so much time to our daily programs reduces financial pressure.”

As for youth who volunteer, there has been a huge increase over the past couple of years to make up about 10 per cent of volunteer hours.

The North Grove says about 40 logged 1,100 hours over the last year alone.

This includes things like the Youth Summer Leadership Program that launched in 2023 with 11 volunteers, aged 13-15, which bumped up to 16 volunteers last year.

In 2025, they expect more than 20 youth volunteers.

Catherine Morley, volunteer manager says participants were happy to lend a hand especially during the summer months.

“The main feedback we received from participants was the program provided youth with purpose and helped foster a sense of belonging and safety in their community,” says Morley.

In addition to the summer, the organization has also seen more volunteers in their March Break programs and other programs that are led by youth.

“We’ve received amazing feedback about the joy that comes from seeing youth involved in sharing their culture through food and seeing food they recognize being served and shared with the broader community,” says Morley.