CBRE Helps Local Community through Covid-19 CSR Program

Hong Kong, November 23, 2020 – With COVID-19 engulfing the world for much of 2020, many people in Hong Kong are suffering financial pressure and mental health issues caused by the impacts of the pandemic. In a study[1] published by Mental Health Month Organizing Committee in September, the average mental health index of Hong Kong residents fell to a record low of 45.12, with 52 set as the satisfactory level. 

On November 21, CBRE hosted two expressive arts therapy^[2] workshops for children and parents of low-income families from Kwun Tong to learn how to relieve stress and express their emotions through art. A group of CBRE volunteers assisted 50 beneficiaries to complete a fun art project guided by qualified arts therapists from Expressive Arts Therapy Centre Company Limited. Using sustainable art materials, children and parents were encouraged to vent their emotions in small groups by articulating their feelings and ideas through their creations.

Tom Gaffney, Regional Managing Director, The Greater Bay Area & Hong Kong, CBRE said, “2020 has been an unprecedented year for many of us in Hong Kong, with day-to-day living pressures and mental wellness being some of the biggest challenges faced by many families in the city. As a real estate services company rooted in Hong Kong for more than 40 years, CBRE is proud to be able to give back to our community by working with the like-minded ChickenSoup Foundation in the COVID-19 relief program, fulfilling our social responsibility to show our care for society’s most vulnerable children and their families in times like these.”

Cindy Chow, Chief Incubator, ChickenSoup Foundation, said, “COVID-19 has created a ripple effect in our society, with many losing their jobs or not having enough income to support their basic needs, which leads to subsequent stress. Over the past few months, the closure of schools, social distancing and online learning have posed many challenges to all walks of life, particularly to those who are less privileged. We are delighted to have the support of CBRE in delivering charity programs that address the core issues of the communities in need during these tough times.”

Earlier in May, CBRE Hong Kong raised a donation of close to HKD 1 million via our local COVID-19 fundraiser and dollar-to-dollar matching by the global CBRE COVID-19 Relief Campaign. As part of the company’s global COVID-19 relief efforts, CBRE Hong Kong office has rolled out a year-round charity program in partnership with ChickenSoup Foundation, with the primary objective of relieving the pressures of day-to-day living for disadvantaged families affected by COVID-19 in Hong Kong. The program consists of dispatching COVID-relief packs, meal coupons, storybook telling, e-tutoring and expressive arts therapy sessions. Since the launch of the program, the company has reached out to up to 438 families, who are currently receiving social welfare assistance from the HKSAR Government.

In June, CBRE Care volunteers helped prepare and distribute food packs to 250 families in Kwai Chung. In July, the company gifted meal and grocery-shopping coupons to 138 disadvantaged families in Kwai Chung and Tsuen Wan. In July and August, CBRE also funded e-tutoring sessions and participated in the story-telling sessions to support primary students to continue learning at home when schools were closed. 

CBRE Hong Kong is a 15 Years Plus Caring Company awarded by The Hong Kong Council of Social Service.


A group of CBRE volunteers assisted the beneficiaries to complete a fun art project guided by qualified arts therapists


Tom Gaffney, Regional Managing Director, The Greater Bay Area & Hong Kong, CBRE (left) and a CBRE volunteer joined a story-telling session to support primary students


CBRE volunteers delivered essential relief packs to local disadvantaged families

[1] Hong Kong’s mental health hits new low in survey listing Covid-19 pandemic and social turmoil as likely factors, South China Morning Post, 9 September, 2020. 

[2] Expressive Arts Therapy is a combination of psychological and creative means to promote emotional growth, self-discovery and relieve stress through the creative process. By using different art techniques and materials, children and adults are encouraged to share thoughts and feelings and unearth their potential.