Social sustainability is related to how we make choices that affect other humans in our ‘global community’ -- the Earth. It covers the broadest aspects of business operations and the effect that they have on employees, suppliers, investors, local and global communities and customers. Social sustainability is also related to more basic needs of happiness, safety, freedom, dignity and affection.” (Excerpted from: What is Social Sustainability?)

Therefore, organizations that help to provide the basic needs of food, shelter and protection from harm within communities are working towards social sustainability. Other organizations include those working to build community through the preservation of cultural and community history, unite community members through social and environmental action and restore the community’s economy.

The following organizations are just a few of the many with the mission of ensuring social sustainability and the goal to build healthy communities for this generation and those yet to come.

Resources for Social Sustainability

Case Studies & Examples

• Bean’s Café
• Kentucky Mountain Housing Development, Corporation, Inc.
• Rural Action
• Trinity Housing Corp.
• United H.O.P.E. Community Organization

Regional NGOs

• Appalachian Women’s Alliance
• Center for Participatory Change
• The Foxfire Fund, Inc.
• Mountain Women’s Exchange
• Pine Mountain Settlement School

National NGOs

• Americorps
• Habitat for Humanity
• National Children’s Facilities Network
• Save the Children
• Women’s Environment and Development Organization

Governmental Agencies

• American Folklife Center
• Corporation for National and Community Service
• Human Relations Commission
• Kentucky Education, Arts, and Humanities Cabinet
• Migrant Education Program

Books, Magazines & Other Resources

• A Tradition That Has No Name: Nurturing the Development of People, Families, and Communities by Mary Field Belenky, Lynne A. Bond, and Jacqueline S. Weinstock

• “Act Locally” The Newsletter of the Madison County Action Team

• “Balancing the Scales” A Publication of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth

• “Community Journal” A Quarterly Publication of Community Service, In., Yellow Springs, Ohio

• Organizing for Social Change – A Manual for Activists in the 1990’s by Kim Bobo, Jackie Kendall, Steve Max

Evaluating Your Community’s Social Condition

• Crossroads Resource Center – Neighborhood Sustainability Indicators Project
• Interface Corporation
• International Institute for Sustainable Development
• International Sustainability Indicators Network
• Sustainable Measures