Passion, integrity, and community – those are the core values at Brookfield Residential and everything we do embodies them. We care deeply about the areas in which we work and are committed to making a positive impact and giving back in any way we can. Local businesses help sustain the social and cultural fabric of our communities. They provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, meaningful jobs for neighbours, and gathering places for communities. They give our communities a sense of uniqueness, vibrancy, and connection.

This holiday season, our team in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) was honoured to donate $1,000 to a small business in each of our communities who have positively impacted our residents over the last year. As part of the Brookfield Residential GTA Holiday Giveback, we asked our homeowners to nominate their favourite local business and share what makes it special. Here’s what they had to say:

Aurora – Tina’s Grill

“This business cares for the community, appreciates business and gives back to the less fortunate. Once a month, they ask the community to provide names of local people who could use a free family meal and donate several. A perfect example of what our community of Aurora is all about!”

Caledon Region – Cappuccino Bakery

“Very warm and welcoming staff, amazing food, and small-town feel. In my opinion, this type of independent business is exactly what you want in a small, historical downtown to give it a welcoming and memorable feel.”

County of Brant – Wicked ‘Wiches & Pies

“The owner is so kind and polite. She has established an honour system, where there is no formal checkout – you simply calculate the total and leave the money in a jar. It’s so beautiful for the owner to have this much trust in society. Everyone that walks into the little shop is blown away by the system and walks out with delicious treats and a smile.”

Durham Region – Sunshine Learning Centre Inc.

“Sunshine Learning Centre Inc. is a small, but mighty small business that cares for and educates autistic children and youths. Like many small businesses, they have had to pivot and apply much creativity to keep their doors open to an underserved demographic in our community.”

Simcoe County – Northern Girl & Co.

"This business is run by a local woman who manufactures natural, handcrafted skincare products, puts great care in all her products, and truly cares about her clients. During the pandemic, she couldn’t attend any local markets or sell her products in small shops and I’m sure would really benefit from this donation.”

We made this year’s Holiday Cheer Giveback even more special by partnering with The Raw Carrot, a food service organization that creates employment for individuals living with disabilities. Aurora Food Pantry, Caledon Community Services, Brantford Food Bank, Feed the Need Durham, and Barrie Food Bank collectively received 450 bags of hand-crafted healthy soup kits which will provide up to 1,350 meals for individuals in need this winter for a total of $5,000 in local support.

Creating the best places to call home goes beyond the houses and communities we build. It’s a larger commitment to cultivating an exceptional life experience for our homeowners and giving back in the areas in which we build. When you choose a home in a Brookfield Residential community, you’re getting more than four walls and a roof – you become part of a neighbourhood that will shape your life.