Volunteer Spotlight: Jalia Thompson Fosters Growth in the Teaching Garden

At Second Harvest, our volunteers bring our mission to life in countless ways—and this month, we’re delighted to spotlight Jalia Thompson, a vibrant, multi-talented member of our volunteer family whose dedication is helping our Fitzgerald Teaching Garden and Youth Garden Camp thrive.

Jalia is many things: an avid reader, an artist, a skilled barber, a budding entrepreneur—and a gardener with a passion for community. For over a year now, she’s been a lead volunteer alongside our Community Garden Manager, Beth Sarmiento, coming out weekly during the growing season to tackle everything from pulling weeds and hunting pests to tending our pollinator garden bed.

This year, Jalia has also stepped up to support our pilot Garden Club Camp, where she’s become an integral part of building a sense of connection and excitement among young participants. Beth shares, “Jalia’s positive energy and attitude are contagious. She comes ready to help, finds what needs to be done, and just does it—always with a smile. Her involvement in the Youth Camp has really helped build community and trust with the kids.”

For Jalia, the best parts of volunteering are learning something new each day and sharing that knowledge with the next generation. “I love that I get to teach Black and brown kids about gardening, being self-sufficient, and helping their own communities. They’re usually pretty excited to learn once they get past the dirt and bugs—LOL!” she laughs.

Her journey with Second Harvest started in high school, when she volunteered with her mom to earn community service hours. Years later, looking for something meaningful to do with her free time, she found her way back to us—and this time, fell in love with working outdoors and “playing in the dirt.”

When she’s not in the garden, you can find Jalia wielding clippers instead of pruners: she’s been a barber at Kings and Queens Barber Shop and Beauty Salon on North Point Blvd for almost three years. She’s also pursuing an associate’s degree in Entrepreneurship at Forsyth Tech, with a dream of one day owning a business and selling her art full-time.

To Beth and everyone who gardens alongside her, Jalia is proof that showing up with curiosity, kindness, and initiative makes a real difference. We’re so grateful to have her in our garden family—thank you, Jalia, for helping our community grow and bloom in so many ways.

Interested in volunteering? Join amazing folks like Jalia and help sow seeds of change—learn more at https://www.secondharvestnwnc.org/volunteer.