At our recent NaCCRA Board meeting, Michelle Goodwin, Executive Director of Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment (SSAFE), introduced us to an organization that should be of particular interest to members of this forum. [My community, Pennswood Village, is a member.]
SSAFE is a nonprofit created by residents of senior living communities to help residents take practical environmental action where they live. Its resident-led chapters share ideas, experience, and successful projects across communities, addressing clean energy, greenhouse-gas reduction, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
What impressed me is the practicality of the effort. The SSAFE website includes case studies, presentations, workshops, newsletters, project resources, and a detailed “Pathway to Net Zero” specifically designed for senior living communities. Recent case studies range from introducing plant-based dining to assessing a community's tree canopy.
SSAFE chapters are resident-led and operate independently of the corporations or management organizations governing their communities, although they can work collaboratively with management. That makes SSAFE an especially interesting model for residents who want to turn environmental concern into constructive community action.
I commend SSAFE to members of this Environmental Forum—and particularly encourage you to share it with environmental or sustainability groups in your own communities.
Explore SSAFE: www.SSAFE.org
**Contact: Michelle Goodwin, Executive Director, michelle@ssafe.org**
Richmond Shreve
NaCCRA Board Member & VP
Forum Moderator