The kindness
project
Changing our city by good into good!
The Kindness Project has been an initiative of Freedom House Church, for over 18 years. Our goal is simple – to help Brantford become known as the kindest city in Canada!
The kindness Project in Action
our story
Kindness Initiatives
contact us
Freedom House’s “Kindness Project” originated in an old bar in one of the roughest parts of town – home of the original location of Freedom House. We knew the culture of the street was in desperate need of change, so we used kindness. We began doing free hot dog barbecues on the street. It seemed so simple … But its impact caught us by surprise. We watched various levels of the community come together, as kindness opened to doors to real change in people’s lives.
We got curious to see how far organized kindness in action could go, so we began to dream. One of the results of that dream was Captain Kindness. A larger-than-life superhero, who is now an integral part of local celebrations and municipal events. Captain Kindness in action and shows and tells of the importance of the proactive message of kindness to solve real issues.
So we started to dream even bigger. We formed the Kindness Crew, a motivated group of volunteers who regularly spread the message of kindness through random acts of kindness—along with planned, intentional, strategic kindness. Our largest success has been the creation of Brantford’s annual free winter carnival, Frosty Fest. It features a street full of carnival rides, horse-drawn trolley rides and ice carvings. An estimated 10,000 visit the annual festival each year.
The Kindness Project has always strived to create a citywide kindness initiative that will facilitate an untapped level of synergy and inter-connectedness between business, government, social agencies, the church, education and individuals. It’s a combined commitment to resolving real issues with things we ALL have in our hands to give.
Over the years, there have been countless events like, The Kindness Awards, $1 Car Washes, Neighbourhood Kindness Parties, I’m a Kind Neighbour Campaigns, Random Act of Kindness Days in the city… Along with powerful evenings of small groups of ordinary people simply looking to service.
Kindness is something good that we DO out of something good that we ARE.
The goal? Brantford becoming the kindest city in Canada… Transformed by good into good as a model for how many cities can be transformed.
We’re now in the process of creating a citywide kindness initiative that will facilitate an untapped level of synergy and inter-connectedness between business, government, social agencies, the church, education and individuals. It’s a combined commitment to resolving real issues with things we ALL have in our hands to give.
In a few short years, we’ve gained the ear and support of city leaders through simple kindness by a relatively small group of people. We’ve seen entire elementary schools become engaged by Random Acts of Kindness and excited the staff about the kind of school they COULD have. The Children’s Aid Society has brought us into their living projects to encourage their residents about their living experience. A large, loud, laughing superhero has become one of the most recognizable faces in the community—and people young and old are eager to tell all about their last, and next, act of kindness.
The goal? Brantford becoming the kindest city in Canada… transformed by good into good as a model for how many cities can be transformed.
Kindness Initiatives
Kindness Campaign
The Kindness Campaign – The kindness crew regularly identifies areas of town to run micro “kindness campaigns” encouraging people to be kind to their neigbours and put up an “I’m a Kind Neighbour” sign. We then partner with a neighbourhood kindness champion to throw a big kindness party!
Kindness Awards
The Kindness Awards – An annual awards ceremony, where we honour local kindness superheroes who go consistently above and beyond in the spirit of kindness. Recipients of this award might be a kindness superhero within their family and friends, neighbourhood, community or city at large.
One Dollar Car Wash
The One Dollar Car Wash – The kindness crew sets up a car wash and barbeque. Excited volunteers hold up “$1 car wash” signs. When cars pull in, we hand them a dollar and say, “this is for the honour of serving you today!” then we wash their car and give them lunch!
Superhero in me
Discover the power to change your world "by good, into good"
Superhero In Me is a pro-social anti-bullying strategy that focuses on nurturing healthy classroom culture by helping kids understand how to use kindness in their lives.
Through eight, 1 hour in-class workshops we focus on using kindness in four key domains, kindness towards ourselves, kindness at home, kindness in school and kindness in our community.
By weaving healthy social-emotional conversations and practices with kindness and shared learning experiences students discover their value, their power and a way for contribution which builds a healthy self and community image.
This program, specifically designed in congruence with our superhero Captain Kindness offers workshops, assemblies, event appearances and more. We have seen first hand how kindness can change the hearts of students and transform a classroom dynamic!
Kindness Superheroes really could change the world.
This program, specifically designed in congruence with our superhero Captain Kindness offers workshops, assemblies, event appearances and more. We have seen first hand how kindness can change the hearts of students and transform a classroom dynamic!
Kindness Superheroes really could change the world.
Sample downloads
Download a sample of our Superhero In Me Curriculum & Facilitator Guide.
Join the Kindness League
Receive updates and information about new Kindness Project events & opportunities to be a blessing in your community.
For many years The Kindness Centre has been providing food, clothing, supplies and a generous serving of hope to thousands of families in Brantford. After over a year of renovations, The Kindness Centre has officially been RE-Opened.
Thanks to Mayor Chris Friel, MP Phil McColeman and Joanne Lewis from the Brant Community Foundation for helping us celebrate this initiative that provides the basic human needs for hundreds of families on a monthly basis with the addition of a new social enterprise. It is aimed at helping folks out of systemic poverty.
Thanks to a “Capacity Building” Grant from the Brant Community Foundation, The Kindness Centre has a fresh, dignified new look along with an innovative system where the donated clothing can be purchased by the general public and also meet the needs of those who need it most. “We’ve given away clothing and food for many years to many people. Food always remains free, but the goal of The Kindness Centre has always been to provide a ‘hand up’ instead of a ‘hand out’ in a sustainable way.
kindness centre
Offering assistance to low income families for their basic needs.
For many years The Kindness Centre has been providing food, clothing, supplies and a generous serving of hope to thousands of families in Brantford. After over a year of renovations, The Kindness Centre has officially been RE-Opened.
Thanks to Mayor Chris Friel, MP Phil McColeman and Joanne Lewis from the Brant Community Foundation for helping us celebrate this initiative that provides the basic human needs for hundreds of families on a monthly basis with the addition of a new social enterprise. It is aimed at helping folks out of systemic poverty.
Thanks to a “Capacity Building” Grant from the Brant Community Foundation, The Kindness Centre has a fresh, dignified new look along with an innovative system where the donated clothing can be purchased by the general public and also meet the needs of those who need it most. “We’ve given away clothing and food for many years to many people. Food always remains free, but the goal of The Kindness Centre has always been to provide a ‘hand up’ instead of a ‘hand out’ in a sustainable way.
Families that come and register at The Kindness Centre that are in need will be given a certain amount of clothing and supplies each month. Our desire is to partner with, and provide, programming and holistic encouragement that will help families progress so they can afford a modest price. There is a dignity in this transaction.
Community members are welcome to purchase clothing as well. That money will become our way to help meet the food and emergency needs of those in clear-and-present situations.
Also included in the all-new Kindness Centre will be an artisans corner where local craftspeople, artists and photographers can sell their creations with a percentage going to help fund The Kindness Centre’s operations and outreach.
Donations of items are always needed!
We appreciate donations of food, household items & clean clothing – all sizes, gender & ages
The Kindness Centre is open to those needing support & the general public desiring to purchase on the following dates:
Thursdays
11am – 2pm
Clothing Thrift Store & Giveaway
4th Saturday each month
10am - 12:30pm
Food Giveaway & Clothing Thrift Store & Giveaway
