Ellen Siegel- Champion for The CLEO Institute

Friends,

Fifteen years ago, The CLEO Institute was born from a simple truth: people protect what they love. What began as a spark of climate education in Miami has grown into a fearless movement — led by women, powered by youth, and grounded in science and justice.  I am priviledged to bring our programs to my new home in Gainesville.

Thank you for bearing with me over the last couple of years as I’ve shared my admiration for The CLEO Institute. Some of you donated, some of you deleted, some of you lovingly told me to hush for a while — and I’m grateful for every single one of you.

I’m writing just once this year, because I want you to see the good your encouragement has made possible here in Gainesville.

CLEO’s support has allowed me to work with remarkable University of Florida students who are learning to tell honest, hopeful stories about caring for people and place in a warming world.  These are just two of the pilot programs CLEO has supported for me.

Last spring, a Let’s Talk Climate series lifted up local voices doing extraordinary things. Hear the interns: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKkkcJyJvMz/

And one of my favorite interviewees speaking to the interns from his heart, my climate hero, Dr. Stephen Mulkey: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLQCACkg_ir/

This fall, our interns stepped into faith communities with courage, sharing their own stories and inviting heartfelt conversations about protecting our neighbors and our home. It’s a pilot we hope to grow into a simple, powerful “train-the-trainer” model for lay leaders across Florida.  Here is a flavor of the program, in my own voice, offered to you with love and hope: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNEY62wvnic/?hl=en

My one request this year

If this work speaks to you…

If you believe in young people stepping forward…

If you want communities to feel less alone in this warming world…

Then I invite you — just this once — to make a Give Miami Day gift this week.

Even a small contribution strengthens what we’re building here.

Donate to CLEO: https://www.givemiamiday.org/story/uqbatf

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for letting me share the things that matter to me.

With gratitude and hope,

Ellen

P.S. Why Give Fearlessly? 

Because the antidote to despair is action. 

Because the climate crisis is not tomorrow’s problem — it’s today’s call. Because the next fifteen years depend on what we do right now.

When you give fearlessly, you’re fueling real change — not abstract hope. You’re helping us train more leaders, influence more policy, and protect more families.

Your support turns courage into capacity, education into empowerment, and urgency into impact.

 Let’s Go Fearlessly Forward — Together

Your donation on Give Miami Day is more than a gift — it’s a statement. That you believe in science. In justice. In a future where every Floridian can thrive.

Join us.Give fearlessly.Because later is too late — and the future still depends on us.