Corporate Social Responsibility

Toronto and Niagara Falls are easy destinations to sell.  They “show well” to visitors.  But just like all large metropolitan areas, there is a segment of the population that can use a helping hand to make life more manageable.  As a small company of mostly women, our CSR focus is on organizations where we can plant a seed, and see it grow and blossom.  Our efforts of time and money make an immediate difference in the lives of the women, teens and children who we touch.

Annually we go on a shopping spree for items that are needed at local shelters and bring them cart loads full of coats, gloves, hats, scarves, toiletries, jeans, socks, non-perishable foods, backpacks, etc.  Over the years, we have contributed these items to Strachan House, a shelter for the chronically homeless, and our neighbour Evangel Hall, where the socially isolated, marginalized and impoverished individuals as well as the homeless receive material, emotional, and spritual help . 

To help disadvantaged young women get their first “real job”, we have held clothing drives, gathering gently used business attire so they will look their best for their interviews and their new careers.   Dress for Success’ vision is one we share – Every Woman Succeeding!

In lieu of holiday season gifts to clients and suppliers, our funds go to Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital on behalf of our valued partners.  Sick Kids Hospital is internationally famous and we know that our funds support research and the children’s families from Toronto and around the world, as they undergo various treatments.

An annual Holiday Season tradition at Congress Canada makes gift giving fun!  We each give a gift to another staff member.   The rules are that the gifts are chosen to suit the personality of the recipient and also suitable for a child or teen.  Our resident theatre buff received lots of makeup.  Much as she loved it, she was happy to leave it in the box unopened and pass it on to put under a teenage girl’s tree.  Once we have all had a laugh at what others see as suitable to our personalities, we gather the gifts and donate them to a local charity for distribution to others who can enjoy them for keeps!

With the help of  Broth Brothers and Great Cooks on Eight, Congress Canada staff prepared soup to be distributed to teens in need through Eva’s Initiatives, an organization that works with homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 to get them off the streets permanently.  This is a great team building/CSR activity for our clients too!

Each year the staff at Congress Canada pull out their work gloves and set off into the streets for the Mayor’s Community Clean Up Day/20 Minute Makeover.  We take pride in our city’s reputation for cleanliness and are happy to help keep it beautiful!

Relaxing with Ronald after a fundraising event for Ronald McDonald house.