Community Heart & Soul was founded by Lyman Orton, proprietor of the Vermont Country Store in Weston, Vermont, a small town of 640 residents where Orton grew up, served on the local planning commission and was inspirated to develop this program to help other small towns Orton states, “Small towns are America’s last best hope to focus on what residents have in common as opposed to allowing national politics divide them. After all, there are so few of us we all need to work together to run our towns and assure there are great places to live and raise our families.
Developed and field-tested over a decade in partnership with over 140 small cities and towns across America, Community Heart & Soul is a proven process for engaging a community in shaping its future.
Our Mission
To help residents and elected officials better shape the future of their communities by adopting the practice of Community Heart & Soul.
Community Heart & Soul actively seeks the collective wisdom of all residents, improves local decision-making, creates a shared sense of belonging, and ultimately strengthens the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of each city or town.
New! Research and Outcomes Report
Resident Voices, Measurable Results.
Across the country, Community Heart & Soul is helping small cities and towns translate resident voices into tangible results.
Our new Community Heart & Soul Research & Outcomes Report explores the measurable impact of our approach, highlighting how communities are achieving meaningful results.
