Renata's Story

When Renata and her family moved from Trinidad to Dartmouth in 2022, they were starting over in a new country — juggling parenting, work, and the challenges of settling into unfamiliar surroundings. Amid the many changes, one thing made all the difference: finding a sense of belonging at The North Grove. 

It all began when a colleague invited her to Family Supper on a Monday night. Curious, she brought her husband, Ayokunle and her two sons — and they’ve been part of The North Grove community ever since. 

Family Support 

When her daughter Eniola was born in June 2024, Renata felt like a first-time mom all over again. Back in Trinidad, she’d had her mother, relatives, and a close-knit community to lean on for guidance through the newborn stage. This time, she was navigating those early months without a support system. 

Simple things — like figuring out how to get Eniola to sleep through the night — felt harder without her mom by her side. She knew other parents at The North Grove had wisdom to share. Suddenly, her participation at the hub shifted from weekly, to almost daily. 

She joined Baby & Me and Infant Massage with Eniola and connected with other parents through programs that offered both practical tools and emotional support. “I take Baby & Me seriously,” she says. “I know other moms have been where I am, and I can learn from them.” 

One of the most meaningful programs for her was Nurturing Strong African Nova Scotian Families, a 10-week series designed specifically for Black parents. The group gave her space to reflect on parenting as a Black mother and explore the cultural differences between Trinidad and Canada. She didn’t want to miss a single session — so when she and her husband had to drive to the U.S. border to sort out his visa, they left at 4:00 a.m. just to make it back in time for her 5:00 p.m. class. 

Good Food 

Food is a big part of Renata’s life. Back in Trinidad, she and her brother ran a restaurant. Here in Nova Scotia, she dreams of opening a Caribbean grocery store with a small kitchen — a space to serve real Trinidadian meals and teach cooking classes. 

“People could vote on what they want to learn to cook,” she says. “Just like The North Grove — it would be something we build together.”

She regularly attends The North Grove’s weekly Food Demos to learn new recipes and explore Canadian meals with her family. But she still misses the flavours of home — tamarind, mango, hot peppers. Food bank items don’t always match her family’s tastes or needs. “Most canned goods just sit there,” she says. “My kids won’t eat them.” 

That’s why she loves The North Grove’s Trading Cupboard, where community members swap food bank items for things they’ll actually use. Renata now volunteers to help keep the cupboard stocked each week — grateful to give back to the community that has been there for her family. 

Friendship and Community 

Renata says the people at The North Grove feel like family. “I tell everyone I know about it,” she says with a smile. 

Staff, volunteers, and neighbours have watched baby Eniola grow — from a newborn into a curious toddler now on the move. Her son Ayotomi joined Young Cooks this spring and is signed up for Farm to Table this summer. Her eldest, Micaiah, just graduated high school, and Renata hopes both boys will keep bringing Eniola to Family Playgroup while she returns to work. 

From Holiday Meals and the Mother’s Day Tea to community events on the farm, Renata’s whole family has been part of The North Grove; And even as she transitions back to full-time work, she knows this connection will continue. 

“The North Grove isn’t just helping families; it’s really building a community.”