Fifteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

Latham Street Commons (LSC) is a place where the community creates models for economic development by using the built environment and its relationship with the community. LSC focuses its efforts on five main areas: underrepresented communities that experience economic disparity, climate and energy, human health, and the development of urban farming ecosystems. Across these five areas, a strategic approach to engaging communities in designing and implementing practical solutions is a hallmark of the organization’s work. Our first social enterprise within LSC is called the Night Owl Bakers (NOB). The concept behind NOB came out of research showing that underrepresented communities in Pittsburgh, PA experience greater degrees of disparity due to structural barriers between them and economic opportunities. Our goal is to offer novel learning conditions where young adults—often left at the margins of educational/workforce training opportunities— can develop self-confidence, while learning 21st century skills. Key to our revenue model is selling bread and baked goods. Our oven will run off a combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) system which will allow us to sell bread at market-value while “banking” energy savings to share with participants and reinvest back into programming.