CCA in Action: 2024 Success and 2025 Progress
/
Dear Canton Community Members,
As 2024 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the Canton Community Association (CCA) this year and look ahead with optimism to 2025. This progress would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers—thank you all for your time, energy, and commitment.
This year, the CCA achieved significant milestones:
We expanded our volunteer base and strengthened our committees.
We co-hosted the Baltimore City Council District 1 Candidate Forum 2024
The Public Safety Cameras Project was launched, improving neighborhood security.
Collaborations with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation brought safety enhancements to Boston Street.
Partnerships with Canton Ace Hardware, Bloom Box and Raw & Refined helped fundraise and engage the community.
Our marketing team worked tirelessly to share important updates and events through our social media pages, website, and monthly e-newsletter.
We increased connections with individual and business members through pop-up events and other engagements.
Technical upgrades enhanced the quality of live-streamed meetings, ensuring more neighbors can participate.
Looking ahead to 2025, the CCA remains focused on fostering a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive Canton. Key goals include:
Facilitating a community-driven center redesign and renaming of O’Donnell Square Park.
Expanding public safety initiatives, including additional cameras and grants.
Hosting educational events, tree plantings, and community clean-ups.
Supporting local schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
Advancing the work of the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance to create a more equitable and inclusive community.
Our many committees—from Public Safety and Parks to Marketing and Education—offer countless opportunities for neighbors to get involved. Whether you have a few hours a month or a specific passion, there’s a place for you at the CCA. Volunteering is not only a chance to give back but also a great way to meet fellow residents and make Canton an even better place to live.
Mark your calendars for our 2025 public meeting dates: February 18, May 20, September 16, and November 18. We hope to see you there to share ideas, connect with neighbors, and stay informed about what’s happening in our community.
Let’s build on our successes together. If you’re ready to volunteer or want to learn more, email us at info@CantonCommunity.org.
Thank you for your support. Here’s to a bright year ahead!
Amanda Bourgeois, CCA President
Amanda Bourgeois, President
2024 Accomplishments:
Recruited new volunteers for committees
Led the Public Safety Cameras Project managing the placement locations and installation
Worked with Baltimore City Dept. of Transportation (DOT) to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians on Boston Street
Partnered with Canton Ace Hardware for community projects
Increased communications with CCA Individual and Business members
Represented the CCA at pop-ups at the Canton Ace Ladies Night, Canton Day of Giving, and during ODSP clean-ups to meet neighbors
Worked to increase CCA’s technical capabilities to produce a better live stream from in-person meetings
2025 Goals:
Strive to foster a more welcoming, diverse, and inclusive Canton
Continue to engage with our community to meet neighbors and recruit volunteers for committees
Continue to help facilitate the process to create a community-driven plan to redesign and rename O’Donnell Square Park
Increase communications with CCA Individual and Business members
Implement (newly awarded) grant funding from the State for security measures in the neighborhood and continue to apply for new grants
Joe Koehler, Treasurer
2024 Accomplishments
Reconciled 2024 P&L activity
Assisted outside CPA with tax information/filing
2025 Goals
Continue duties as Treasurer
Report financial status at monthly board meetings
Volunteer at CCA/community events, cleanups, etc.
Bring new interest to the Block Captain Program and Cop Walks
Denise Aversa, Secretary
2024 Accomplishments
Attended all CCA Board and Public meetings as well as some Economic Development (EDC) meetings
Continue to record and send out meeting minutes in a timely manner
Manage letters of support for the CCA, document requests
Monitored CCA voicemails and directed them to officers and Board members as appropriate
Served as Block Captain sharing information with my neighbors via email and Facebook
Volunteered at CCA community events including the Canton Day of Giving and Dumpster Days
Wrote and distributed CCA Holiday Cards
2025 Goals
Serve as secretary to attend and record CCA Board and Public meetings
Encourage more neighbors to join the CCA
Inform my neighbors by emailing the monthly newsletter and posting relevant information on our block's Facebook page
Doug Kaufman, Economic Development Chair
2024 Accomplishments
Liaised and tracked communications between our community, builders, businesses and government
Continue to support the Neighborhood and the CCA by reviewing proposals and fostering communication with residents and developers
Working with Brewer's Hill Neighborhood Association and The City to address the problematic of development on the 500 block of S. Clinton Street
2025 Goals
Develop a new process which engages the support of other volunteers with admin tasks like writing letters, logging communication, etc.
Continue to support the Neighborhood and the CCA by reviewing proposals and fostering communication with residents and developers
Continue to host monthly EDC meetings
2024 Accomplishments
Worked with CCA President to provide administrative support and aid with communication
Worked with school representatives to compile regular updates for Life In Canton, the CCA e-newsletter
Worked with CCA Marketing Committee to plan how to support and share information about our community schools
Met with Jim Hamilton of COTS to brainstorm about ideas for programming
2025 Goals
Continue to spotlight Open Houses and ongoing information about school programs, events, fundraisers, etc. in the newsletter
Produce Community Education Fair
Recruit more members for the Education Committee
Work with Jim Hamilton of COTS to combine the education and family programming and come up with concrete plans to do so
Maura Taylor, Board Member
2024 Accomplishments:
Planned community dumpster days resulting in the diversion of hundreds of pounds of metal and other items from the landfill
Volunteered at numerous CCA events
Worked with the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance
Assisted with Candidate’s Forum
2025 Goals
Execute four community dumpster days with the goal of more diversion from the dump
Assist with public meeting planning
Continue efforts to update CCA bylaws
Assist with membership recruitment
Jayne Miller Chair, Friends of Canton Dog Park Chair
2024 Accomplishments
Collaborated with community volunteers to maintain the park on a daily basis
Continued to address the water retention problem on the large dog side of the park
Installed first part of drain project to improve safety and health concerns
Worked with Councilmember Cohen’s office to facilitate communication between key city agencies, including BCRP, DPW, and DOT.
Expanded the CCA Commemorative Buy-A-Brick Program to include the Friends of Canton Dog Park
Installed new Park Rules sign
Removed dying tree(s) and non-native plants and planted new trees.
2025 Goals
Continue to increase volunteer participation and work with the Friends of Canton Dog Park Committee
Work with BCRP to resolve the water retention/drain installation project (permits are needed)
Replace old signs with new, clearer signs displaying park rules, hours, and more.
Sell and install additional commemorative bricks
Install a new bulletin board to increase communication in the community
Work with the committee to plan social events for users of the park
John P Ford, Board Member
2024 Accomplishments
Led Canton Antiracism Alliance along with co-chair Julie Kichline, especially with the Historic Marker project, the Canton History Timeline, and the Juneteenth Walk
Participated in the transportation committee meetings and emails
Compiled Google data live list of all businesses in the Canton neighborhood, set the query up to be re-run as needed
Attended all CCA board meetings and quarterly public meetings
2025 Goals
Complete the installation of the new Historic Marker and set the next year's agenda for the Antiracism Alliance
Attend more volunteer activities in addition to the public meetings and board meetings
Work with Chris Broughton on the next steps for the transportation committee, especially in advising the Red Line project
Zach Spedden and Julie Kichline, Marketing/Newsletter
2024 Accomplishments
Helped co-plan, promote, and execute the Canton Day of Giving Toy & Food Drive
Collaborated with Living Classrooms for an educational outing on the Mildred Belle
Increased membership via giveaways and promotions with WTMD, Hampstead Hill Academy and Canton Ace Hardware
Informed and engaged the community via monthly e-newsletter and social media platforms
Produced CCA popups to increase community awareness and membership
Aided with streaming for the hybrid public meetings
Assisted in promotion and live streaming of First District Candidates Form
Liaised communication and helped spread the word about the I Wonder Garden, Compost Initiative, Canton Canopy, and other CCA-related community offshoots
2025 Goals
Promote public safety initiatives through the CCA’s website
Engage the community and support Canton businesses/organizations with informative content via Life in Canton, social media platforms, and other non-digital communication methods
Seek new ways to promote area nonprofits, volunteer opportunities, and CCA business members
Find new solutions for selling CCA merchandise at in-person events; expand merch offerings
Explore new methods to recruit volunteers for CCA committees and special events
Find new volunteers to assist with membership management and website edits
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please email info@CantonCommunity.org
Deborah Manarin, Membership / Social Chair
2024 Accomplishments
Distributed welcome packages to new members
Visited new businesses to share info about the CCA and recruit new members
Represented the CCA at community Popup events
2025 Goals
Engage with the community to increase membership and inclusion
Represent the CCA at community events
Brainstorm new events to support local businesses and engage neighbors
Encourage new members to join the committee
Transportation (Chris Broughton, Lead Volunteer)
2024 Accomplishments
Worked with Councilmember Zeke Cohen's office to implement pedestrian improvements along intersections of Boston Street
Worked with Councilman Zeke Cohen's office and DOT to implement traffic calming on the 500-700 blocks of Ellwood
Continued work towards finalization of Greenway Trails Network
Continued push for Complete Streets (building roadways for all users, not just automobiles)
Worked with transit engineers to build out city cycle network and connect to existing infrastructure
Worked with representatives of MDOT and BDOT and other neighborhood associations in planning the Red Line transit line
2025 Goals
Address more problem intersections within Canton with a focus on O’Donnell St to improve safety and traffic calming
Partner with the other waterfront community associations to move forward with the Red Line
Work with affected communities and transit engineers to build and improve the city’s cycle network
Apply for pedestrian and cyclist safety grants for problem intersections and blocks in Canton
Work with DOT to complete the traffic calming on 500-700 S Ellwood
Work with DOT to complete the traffic calming, bus line improvements, and bike lane on Washington St from Aliceanna to St Lo Dr in Clifton Park
Use approved grant funding from 2024 to implement community/pedestrian improvements in targeted areas
Public Safety
2024 Accomplishments
Implemented a $100k grant to launch the CCA Public Safety Camera Project (13 systems housing 45 cameras) in Canton
Continued communication with the Baltimore Police Department (SE Division)
Collaborated with other SE community leaders to brainstorm joint safety projects
Restarted the Community COP Walks
Goals 2025
Implement a $50k grant to expand the CCA Public Safety Camera Project (6 systems housing 30 cameras) in Canton
Recruit a new Safety Committee Chair
Increase awareness of and participation in the Block Captain and Get Lit projects; continue meetings and COP Walks
Work with the Southeastern Police Community Relations Council (SEDP-CRC)
Apply for more grants to support public safety
Public Safety
2024 Accomplishments
Implemented a $100k grant to launch the CCA Public Safety Camera Project (13 systems housing 45 cameras) in Canton
Continued communication with the Baltimore Police Department (SE Division)
Collaborated with other SE community leaders to brainstorm joint safety projects
Restarted the Community COP Walks
Goals 2025
Implement a $50k grant to expand the CCA Public Safety Camera Project (6 systems housing 30 cameras) in Canton
Recruit a new Safety Committee Chair
Increase awareness of and participation in the Block Captain and Get Lit projects; continue meetings and COP Walks
Work with the Southeastern Police Community Relations Council (SEDP-CRC)
Apply for more grants to support public safety
2024 Accomplishments
The Canton Anti-Racism Alliance gathered like-minded community volunteers dedicated to affecting long-term, impactful changes to foster a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming community
Researched and revised the Canton History timeline (led by John Ford) to reflect the role of Indigenous people and people of African descent more accurately in the story of our neighborhood's development and extend the timeline past 2000 to the present day
CCA Board Member Jon Ford led a project to memorialize people enslaved when Canton was a plantation
Continued reviewing the process of how to rename O’Donnell Square Park, removing the name of an enslaver
Hosted a symbolic Juneteenth Freedom Walk to the sites of the Frederick Douglass History Panels
2025 Goals
Host bi-monthly meetings to brainstorm ideas and share progress reports
Install the new Historic Marker memorializing people enslaved when Canton was a plantation
Facilitate more “Conversations With” local authors to provide expert-led educational virtual forums
Spotlight legislation and policies that support anti-racism, equity, and equality
Frame the proposed process for renaming O’Donnell Square Park and make it accessible to Canton residents
Continue outreach to engage new members and the community
Host 3rd Annual Freedom Walk or other Juneteenth-related event
Update the CCA website to include a dedicated page for Alliance information
Canton History Project (Dr. Raymond Bahr, Founder/Historian)
2024 Accomplishments:
Installed new Canton History panels that illustrate the Industrial Revolution that took place in Canton (1828-1980s)
Worked with the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance toward obtaining a new historic marker
2025 Goals:
Form a committee to plan the 200th Anniversary (in 2028) of the Canton Company, which was considered the earliest, most successful Industrial Park Development in America's History
Continue to work with the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance on new historic marker and Juneteenth Walk
Continue to work to have the Railroad Transfer Bridge designated a National Historic Landmark
2024 Accomplishments
Founded CCA Park Committee
Liaised communication with Healthy Harbor for plans to upgrade at the Harris Creek Rain Garden
Organized and participated in monthly community cleanups at Canton Parks (ODSP, Two Rivers)
Organized trash pickups along Boston Street and at Canton Waterfront Park
Volunteered at CCA events
2025 Goals
Organize and lead monthly community cleanups at O'Donnell Square Park (ODSP)
Collaborate with other neighbors to organize and oversee cleanups at other Canton parks
Recruit cleanup volunteers and new CCA members
Host Cornhole Tournament to raise funds for Two Rivers Park
CCA Park Buy-A-Brick Program
2024 Accomplishments
Sold and installed commemorative bricks to fundraise for the upkeep of O’Donnell Square Park (ODSP)
Identified new brick locations in ODSP since the areas around the flower beds were full
Sold and installed over 20 commemorative bricks at a new neighborhood location - Canton Dog Park
Transitioned the role to new lead volunteers Ted Hart and Kristen Mills
2025 Goals
Install more commemorative bricks at the Canton Dog Park and ODSP
Identify new additional potential commemorative and fundraising opportunities inside ODSP and throughout the neighborhood
Canton Canopy
2024 Accomplishments
Planted 43 trees in Canton and Brewer’s Hill
Co-hosted Arbor Day event to plant trees at St. Casimir’s / Circle Park
Hosted weeding and mulching events
Recruited new volunteers
2025 Goals
Host planting, wedding and pruning events
Encourage new volunteers
I Wonder Garden
2024 Accomplishments
Collected donated items (fencing, shed, benches) from HHA
Installed new fencing around plots
Cleaned and maintained pathways
Led volunteer cleanups
Implemented most details outlined the Healthy Harbor Grant
Recruited new volunteers
Continued community plot rentals
Encouraged regular cleanups from plot holders and volunteers
Continued the Community Compost Drop Off Station
Maintained interior composting for the plot holders
2025 Goals
Continue to implement the new site plan
Plant new native perennials
Host regular cleanups
Partner with Target for a Spring Clean Up
Assemble donated shed for storage
Encourage new volunteers
Revise guidelines for community plot rentals
Continue compost programs
Apply for more grant funding
Work with DPW to add I Wonder as a regular trash pickup location
To join the CCA, visit www.CantonCommunity.org/join-us. To volunteer, https://www.cantoncommunity.org/volunteer.