The Claude C. Thornton Foundation September eNews
- CCTF Board
- Sep 8
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 9
Greetings Friends,
It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching the last quarter of the year! September is a great time to slow down, take a breath, and do some reflections. It’s never too early to start setting ourselves up for those 2026 goals.
We’re excited to host our Second Annual Greater Baltimore Climate Summit on November 3rd! More details are below. And in December, we’ll come together for our 4th Annual Blossom Blooming Brunch, a beautiful experience where we celebrate community mentors and give flowers to the incredible women in the Mid-Atlantic who have paved the way for others.
In the next few months, there’s so much to do: check out this newsletter's featured upcoming events and volunteer opportunities below. Thank you so much for being part of the CCTF community!
With love and gratitude,
The CCTF Team
Highlights
Cheers To Our Summer 2025 Interns🥂
On Friday August 15th, we had the joy of celebrating our six amazing summer interns!
CCTF Summer 2025 Interns
Julia Ye | Relationship Management
Jaila Acevedo | Operations Management
Sarah DeGennaro | Communications
Raymond Zhang | Program Management
Marvi Rajar | Marketing and Event Planning
Hailey Wang | Project Management
Each of them poured their passion, creativity, and hard work into CCTF, helping us grow while also creating meaningful workforce development experiences for themselves.
To Our Summer 2025 Interns,
Thank you so much for showing up with dedication and heart throughout the entire summer. You’ve left a lasting impact on CCTF, and we look forward to seeing the wonderful paths you each will explore in your bright futures.
- The CCTF Board
Upcoming Events
Building Greater Baltimore Momentum for Equitable Climate Solutions
Join the Greater Baltimore Climate Summit in hosting The Environmental Protection Network's Senior Community Outreach Associate, Shonali Palacios, who will be presenting on their pro-bono technical assistance program.
Come ready to learn what their dedicated staff and network of 650+ EPA alumni can do to assist you and the communities you work with. EPN will also provide a quick briefing of the current federal landscape around the implementation of IRA programs and take questions.
Date: September 17th
Time: 12PM – 1PM
Join us on November 3, 2025 for the Greater Baltimore Climate Summit!
On November 3, 2025, the we will host a dynamic gathering of climate leaders, sustainability innovators, and community changemakers for the annual Greater Baltimore Climate Summit. This year’s theme, “Resilience, Community, and Action in the Face of Uncertainty,” calls on us all to share solutions and inspire action.
This one-day event will feature engaging panels, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities focused on resilience, community, and action in the face of uncertainty. Hosted by a coalition of partners, the summit fosters collaboration across government, academia, the private sector, and local communities.
Plenary Speakers
Secretary Rebecca Flora, AICP, Maryland Department of Planning
Ava Richardson, Director, Office of Sustainability, City of Baltimore
Aneca Atkinson, Assistant Secretary for Environmental Justice, Maryland Department of the Environment
Adam Ortiz, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with leaders, advocates, and innovators working toward a more sustainable Greater Baltimore. Register today!
Interested in leading a session at GBCS2025?
Join the Poster Session at the 2025 Greater Baltimore Climate Summit!
Whether you’re a student, advocate, researcher, or community partner, this is your opportunity to contribute to a growing dialogue on equity, resilience, and environmental justice.
Presenting a poster offers the opportunity to expand your visibility, build meaningful networks, and have a lasting impact across Maryland and beyond.
Important Dates to Remember:
• September 30 – Poster Title & Abstract due (250 words or less)
• October 15 – Final PDF due for inclusion in the virtual gallery
• November 3 – Bring your printed poster to the Summit for display
Let your voice be part of the movement. Share your work. Spark ideas. Drive change.
We need your support🥹
While federal and philanthropic funding remains limited, we're committed to our mission to increase partnership, investments, and dialogue around climate and environmental issues in this region. Your support today can bridge the gap and help us reach our Greater Baltimore Climate Summit budget goal of $27,000, giving us the ability to host a conference comparable to the 2024 summit.
So far, we’ve raised $17,550, and with your help, we can get all the way there. Every donation, no matter how small or large, moves us closer to a more resilient and sustainable future.
Please scan the QR code or use the link here to donate today.
Resources
Blossoms Blooming Mentorship Program
The Blossoms Blooming Mentorship Program empowers young women to reach their full potential through academic and professional mentorship and etiquette training.
If you would like to learn more about this mentorship program, please click this link to inquire. To keep up to date with Blossoms Blooming follow us on Instagram and/or contact us via email at cari@thecctfoundation.org for any questions or concerns.
Last year we launched our group mentoring experience, grounded in discussion topics such as mindset, relationships and partnerships, career mobility, professional opportunities, femininity and more.
Did you know we offer parent coaching?
Parents play an important role in helping their children succeed in school. Parent advocacy means speaking up for your child’s needs and rights. This school year, commit to staying involved and supporting your child every step of the way. In addition to building routine, education planning and prioritizing extracurriculars:
Celebrate Small Accomplishments
Let your child know when they are doing a good job. Whether it’s completing homework, helping at home, learning something new, or showing kindness, praise helps children feel proud and motivated to keep trying.
Listen with Care and Patience
Children are still learning how to express their feelings and make decisions. Sometimes they won’t get things right. When they talk, listen with an open heart and calm voice. Try not to interrupt, yell, or get upset. Let them know they can come to you for help, even when things are hard to talk about.
Wishing everyone a positive, peaceful, and productive start to the school year. You’ve got this! If you would like to schedule a free coaching session with us, please use this link to schedule a session.
Parents, We’re Here for YOU!
From navigating the school system to supporting your child’s mental health and behavior, parenting comes with a lot of challenges and you don’t have to do it alone.
Led by Autrese Thornton, a multi-decade special educator, school administrator, and nonprofit manager, The Claude C. Thornton Foundation’s Parent Advocacy & Coaching Program is here to listen, guide, and empower you with the tools and resources you need.
Tell us: What areas of education, mental health, or behavior do you need the most support with?
Email us at athornton@thecctfoundation.org
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer at the Greater Baltimore Climate Summit!
We are excited to announce that the CCT Foundation is hosting the 2nd Annual Greater Baltimore Climate Summit in downtown Baltimore on November 3rd, 2025!
This event will bring together community leaders, climate advocates, and environmental experts to discuss critical environmental issues affecting our region.
As a valued supporter, we invite you to volunteer at the summit. Your support is essential in helping us make this event a success. Volunteer hours and roles are available throughout the day, ensuring each area of the event is supported.
Join the Shared Harvest Community Garden at Mt. Olive!
We’re seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help us grow fresh vegetables and support local families through the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just curious to learn, our garden has a place for you!
Volunteer tasks include watering, weeding, planting, fertilizing, checking for pests, and harvesting. This is also a great opportunity to connect with neighbors and make a difference in our community.
Location: 5115 Old Court Rd, Randallstown, MD 21117
Email: office.mtoliveumc@gmail.com
Phone: (410) 922-2853 | Call Cynthia at (443) 272-1398
Let’s build together: one plant, one neighbor, one meal at a time!
Get Involved
We Want To Celebrate You: Share Your Success Stories
We don’t just love celebrating our team, we love celebrating our community! You are the heart of everything we do, and we know this community is filled with incredible people making bold moves, chasing dreams, and creating real impact. Whether it’s a personal win, a career milestone, or a passion project changing lives, we want to hear about it! Every victory big or small deserves to be honored.
Share your accomplishments with us at board@thecctfoundation.org so we can lift you, cheer you on, and shine a light on your fantastic work!
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