SACSS

Overview

SACSS is a trusted community institution serving New Yorkers since 2000. With over 1,000,000 people supported through healthcare access, food security, mental wellness, and social services, we continue to stand at the frontlines of community care. Our tree symbol reflects this commitment—rooted in culture, strengthened through support, and growing opportunities for every individual we serve.

Client

SACSS

Year

2020-2021

Old logo

New logo

Main Goal

The goal of the SACSS identity was to create a symbol that could express the emotional, cultural, and functional role of the organization in one clear idea. The tree became that idea — a timeless metaphor for human potential, community strength, and collective growth. The identity needed to honor heritage, communicate stability, and reflect transformation, while being universally understood across New York’s diverse communities.

Process

We built the identity around the natural structure of a tree, assigning intentional meaning to each part:

Roots
Represent the deep cultural foundations of the communities SACSS serves. They acknowledge heritage, identity, and the unseen forces that shape people’s lives.

Trunk
Acts as the visual metaphor for SACSS’s role — strong, steady, and reliable. It symbolizes the organization’s commitment to healthcare access, food security, mental wellness, and advocacy. A source of stability through every challenge.

Branches
Symbolize outreach and connection. They stretch outward to represent how SACSS links individuals to resources, communities to opportunities, and families to a broader support network. Every branch is a sign of growth.

Leaves
Represent the diversity and dynamism of the individuals SACSS uplifts. Each leaf reflects a personal story — a life supported, a dream realized, a new beginning.

Through this structured metaphor, the tree becomes more than a logo. It becomes a visual system that communicates impact, inclusivity, and the continuous potential for human growth.

Outcome

The result is an identity that is both grounded and aspirational. The tree allows SACSS to articulate its purpose clearly: to strengthen foundations, support people through challenges, and enable communities to thrive.

The symbol is relatable, emotionally resonant, and adaptable across programs, languages, and audiences. Most importantly, it positions SACSS’s work as long-term, generational, and deeply rooted in human care.

SACSS doesn’t just serve individuals. It cultivates resilience.
It grows communities.
It builds forests of opportunity.