From Cookies to Closings: The Brooksy Group Bakes Impact for Kids

Before they ever sold a home, Rin Swan Belvedere and Justin Brooks were serving up something even sweeter — joy, community, and heart. Justin Brooks, a South Florida native raised with a strong sense of service, parlayed years of hard work and connection-building into a real estate career shaped by purpose, not just profit, and his “Baked with Brooksy” sales raised over $16,000 for local kids while bringing families together with gooey, smile-inducing treats. Rin Swan Belvedere, originally a preschool teacher with a deeply rooted love for children and giving back, found a kindred spirit in Brooks; together they channel that same warmth into every corner of their work. Now, the two work together as The Brooksy Group. They weave their shared devotion to uplifting families from bake sales benefiting kids’ causes to real-estate guidance that feels like finding a home — making every deal and every community event feel like a celebration of sweet moments and big-hearted impact.

“We’ve raised thousands selling treats,” said Brooks. “It brings awareness to the children and our community, and we want to go beyond the bake sale to incorporate more.”

Justin Brooks and Rin Swan Belvedere (Photos courtesy of Rin Swan Belvedere)

 In real estate, Rin Swan Belvedere and Justin Brooks believe a home should come with heart, and that belief is baked into everything they do. For them, it’s never been just about listings, contracts, or closing days; it’s about connection, kindness, and creating moments that matter. That mindset is what sparked their now-beloved bake sales, but not as a predictable fundraiser, but as a joyful extension of their genuine desire to give back.

“We’re going on three years doing these baked sales,” said Brooks. “We have a lot of great supporters like Patio Bar & Pizza, [The] Hollywood Donut Factory on Las Olas and Hollywood, and we also have Costume World, where at these sales we’ll dress up like Spider-Man or Santa. We also have DJ Sweet Tooth, our food truck vendors, and these donations are all for Voices of Children of Broward County.”

Drawing from years of nonprofit work and hands-on experiences with children, their desire to help others comes alive through tables overflowing with warmth and whimsy: stacks of golden-edged cookies still soft in the center, fudgy brownies with crackled tops, buttery cakes dusted with sweetness, and clouds of fluffy, creamy frosting swirled high like little works of art.

“People line up for Rin’s chocolate torte,” said Brooks. “Literally, every bake sale, and people are trying to get them before we even open.”

The chocolate torte sits low and elegant, its dark, velvety surface gleaming like polished silk under soft light. Each slice reveals dense, fudgy layers that melt slowly on the tongue, releasing waves of deep cocoa, butter, and bittersweet richness. It’s the kind of dessert that lingers, but not just in flavor, but in memory, being indulgent, dramatic, and unapologetically decadent.

“I’m taking elements of my past because it revolved around baking and advocacy,” said Rin Swan Belvedere. “It’s now a signature, and I still enjoy baking in our efforts to raise more funds. With being a preschool teacher, and for me, all this is a bit nostalgic, because I miss teaching.  It’s about doing what you love and fighting for what you believe in. We’re also looking to do more, like have pet adoptions and incorporate other things.”

Even with the success of their bake sales, Rin Swan Belvedere and Justin Brooks see them as just the beginning. Their vision stretches far beyond sweets, evolving into full-scale, family-friendly experiences that bring kids and parents together in joyful, unforgettable ways.

From colorful face painting and laughter-filled activity zones to creative event concepts like Ice-A-Palooza — where brave participants took the plunge for a good cause — their gatherings feel more like community festivals than fundraisers. They’ve raffled off fun prizes to keep the excitement high, and during Easter, they transform events into springtime magic with cheerful egg hunts, playful activities, and the possibility of photos with the Easter Bunny.

Each idea reflects their belief that giving back should feel fun, inclusive, and full of wonder. They’re creating moments where kids feel celebrated, families feel connected, and the community grows stronger with every smile.

“Eventually, we’d like to facilitate a 501(c)(3),” said Brooks. “Turn our efforts into more structure so that our reach can be greater and grow to advocate for others.”

At the heart of everything, Rin Swan Belvedere and Justin Brooks create a simple but powerful idea. That is when the community comes together, and something beautiful happens. Whether it’s through warm cookies, colorful celebrations, or laughter echoing across an event space, their mission continues to grow, and it’s fueled by compassion, creativity, and an unwavering love for kids and community. As their vision expands, so does their impact, proving that real estate can be more than a profession, but it can be a platform for joy, generosity, and meaningful change across South Florida.