Community Heart & Soul Towns
From Downeast, Maine, to the Heartland, to the Pacific Northwest, towns and residents are making change in their community. Click on the map to see where it's happening and hear their stories.
Let us give you a guided tour through the transformation with Community Heart & Soul.
Click on a state to see a list of Community Heart & Soul towns.
The towns of Akron and Westfield, Iowa are joining forces to improve their communities. They received $10,000 to kickstart Community Heart & Soul through our Seed Grant Program. Stronger Together: Akron and Westfield Heart & Soul is working to discover what matters most to the residents of Westfield and Akron.
Read more about Stronger Together: Akron and Westfield Heart & Soul here!
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Aledo joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better Together
In February 2020, we partnered with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council to bring Community Heart & Soul® to the town of Ambridge. The Ambridge community will build their own local Community Heart & Soul® leadership team with regional coordination and support from the Beaver County Planning Commission.
Ambridge borough (pop. 7,050) was established in 1824 by the Harmony Society and officially incorporated in 1905. Its 1.7 square miles are loaded with history, including the Old Economy Village which was acquired by the state of Pennsylvania as its first historical site in 1916. In addition to annual events and celebrations, the community boasts a library, a theater, churches, and many established family businesses. Ambridge is wonderfully diverse and starting to undergo a welcome revitalization that includes investment in key public infrastructure like parks and downtown improvements.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Armada, Michigan have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read more about the great things happening in Armada here!
We're excited to announce that Brooks County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This is county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Barwick, Morven, Pavo, and Quitman, has support from Colquitt EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Brooks County Development Authority. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Residents in Bellevue, Iowa, launched Community Heart & Soul® to focus on getting everyone involved in setting priorities for strengthening their town. In considering the town’s assets, natural beauty, heritage, neighborhood pride, and support for youth all ranked high. Attracting and retaining more Millennials (born 1981-1996) was identified as an opportunity for growth. That prompted taking a closer look at childcare needs, finding creative solutions to increase housing, and restoration of commercial space on the river. “We want the message to be, ‘You can thrive here, not just survive here,’” said Claira Sieverding, a Millennial who works and lives in Bellevue and was a leader in Community Heart & Soul.
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Bethel joined other towns to form:
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Bevington joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & Soul
Long struggling textile mill town, Biddeford (pop. 21,000), had come to be defined by an industrial trash incinerator in the center of town. But the facility represented 80 jobs and was a major taxpayer.
Through Community Heart & Soul, residents set change in motion by showing city leaders that there was strong support for tearing the incinerator down. The city purchased the plant, tore it down, and that sparked revitalization.
Bridgton, Maine is embarking on Community Heart & Soul as the town updates its comprehensive plan. A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, this western Maine community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure the plan includes input from all residents. Residents in Bridgton, Maine have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read more about the great things happening in Bridgton here!
We're excited to announce that Terrell County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Bronwood, Dawson, Parrott, and Sasser, has support from Sumter EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Terrell County Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Bucksport sits on the Penobscot River in the region of Maine known as Mid-coast. For 84 years the town's main employer was a papermill that manufactured paper made from wood harvested in the Maine forest. Paper from the mill was used for magazines such as Time and Good Housekeeping and catalogs for L.L. Bean and others. When the mill closed in 2014, this town was determined not to be defeated. Community Heart & Soul® inspired new ways for people and organizations to collaborate, volunteer, and get things done to build a better Bucksport.
The town of Canaan is a picturesque community located on the Connecticut River in Northeastern Vermont. It is bordered by New Hampshire and Quebec, Canada, and many consider it to be the “real” Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Canaan is also the only town in Vermont to share a land border with New Hampshire, the town's far northeastern corner touches the southwestern corner of the town of Pittsburg, NH. The Connecticut River defines the state line from Canaan southward. The residents wished to create a relationship with the towns of Pittsburg and Colebrook New Hampshire to look at economic development on a regional scale.
Tucked away in Northeastern Pennsylvania, you will find the City of Carbondale, a city of historic charms and hidden treasures. Centrally located with a bustling Main Street, Carbondale has a strong sense of community and a pride in its history, local businesses, parks, churches, and recreational activities. Carbondale’s Community Heart & Soul project is collaborating with NeighborWorks of Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA).
Through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Great Carlisle Project (GCP) began in 2016. Following the Community Heart & Soul framework, members of the GCP, with the leadership of the Project Director, work with their community to tell, listen and share stories about the cultural heritage of the community. Through the storytelling process residents will come to know the "heart and soul" of their community - what they value, what matters most, how they relate to each other and to their landscape, and what they want for our future.
Carlisle joined other towns to form:
Greater Carlisle Project, Pennsylvania
In 2018, Cascade Heart & Soul was formed to make a difference and affect positive change in the community using Community Heart & Soul. The community planning process will reach everyone in the community to identify the common values and goals of people who live here. Representatives of the Heart & Soul committee want to hear from resident's their unique stories of life there and the successes and struggles they've experienced.
Chelsea, Maine is a small town on the eastern bank of the Kennebec River. It was incorporated in 1851, separating from a portion of Hallowell. When the town asked for community input to shape revised ordinances and future planning, only a few residents participated. Town leaders recognized the need to try something different to foster genuine community engagement and began Community Heart & Soul in 2019. Chelsea Community Heart & Soul is a program that is driven by the residents of Chelsea, Maine and they are busy in their ongoing practice of keeping their Heart & Soul statements at the forefront of their decision making in the community.
Engaging missing voices in local government was one goal of the Cortez Community Heart & Soul® project. The team used Community Network Analysis to take a deep look into who lives in the community, and they invested time building trust. The result was Community Heart & Soul changed the way that Cortez does business. Groups that had not been involved in local government including the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, the Hispanic community, and youth were all much better represented after Community Heart & Soul. And more engagement from residents helped planners make decisions and better advocate for positive change based on what mattered most to residents.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Cranberry Township, the City of Franklin, and Oil City have joined together to form Venango Area Heart & Soul.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of PA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
The North Fork Heart & Soul believed there is a better and more inclusive way to move forward together in the Valley and to make decisions that take into account the diversity of experience, knowledge, and understanding people have about where they live - about what makes this place home. Heart and Soul provides a path towards building thriving places where we as citizens steer the future of the North Fork Valley. We are a group of local residents, officials, and volunteers from the North Fork Valley who want to learn about what all our neighbors think matters most about where we live and where we are headed; about the common goals we share in our communities and for our local economy; and about how to protect and celebrate the heritage of the North Fork Valley.
Crawford joined other towns to form:
North Fork Heart & Soul, Colorado
Damariscotta is a picturesque coastal village with a rich history that can be dated back 2,500 years thanks to ancient oyster shell middens, or remnant piles, left along the banks of the Damariscotta River by the Wawenock Abenaki. Historically, Damariscotta’s economy was rooted in shipbuilding. Today, the town is a regional shopping and service center. In the summer months, the population grows with second homeowners and tourists. Managing growth and balancing the burgeoning tourist economy with the needs of the local community were front of mind when Heart & Soul launched in late 2008.
We're excited to announce that Terrell County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Bronwood, Dawson, Parrott, and Sasser, has support from Sumter EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Terrell County Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
All across Maine and our nation, small towns struggle to deal with changes in their communities. Community Heart & Soul focuses on building stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant small cities and towns across America. Dexter is applying the Heart & Soul principles to reconnect the community and guide its future. Through a shared vision, Dexter Community Heart & Soul will create a strong, vibrant community that encourages economic growth for a brighter future.
Dillsburg Heart & Soul seeks to help people to shape the future of our community by actively seeking the collective wisdom of all residents, improving local decision-making, creating a shared sense of belonging, and ultimately strengthening the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of our home. Dillsburg Heart & Soul began when a few locals from The Dillsburg Arts Council got the attention of The South Mountain Partnership and the teams at The Greater Carlisle and Mt. Holly Springs Heart & Soul project. This newly founded group then reached out to Community Heart & Soul and recommended that Dillsburg would be a wonderful place to go on the Heart & Soul journey. The Dillsburg team began their process of exploring the idea of becoming a Heart & Soul town in early 2019. After a few meetings with other Heart & Soul leaders, they began the application process, and were notified at the end of 2019 that they were awarded a grant to begin the first phases.
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Downe Township will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight their work in the community here!
The Cameron County Project was founded in 2017 and started implementing the Community Heart & Soul model on its own with the mission of discovering “the themes in our community that unite us and highlighting them through a campaign of storytelling and resident driven visioning.” It later joined other Pennsylvania towns in receiving support and guidance from our partner, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.
Driftwood joined other towns to form:
The Cameron County Project
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, this Oklahoma community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents. Residents in Duncan, Oklahoma have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Earlham joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulMadison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
East Peru joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Eliza joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better Together
In the summer of 2016, the City initiated the Community Heart & Soul process to understand what matters most to our community with the goal of identifying Heart & Soul statements that will guide our 20-year plan and help maintain Ellensburg’s quality of life.
The Cameron County Project was founded in 2017 and started implementing the Community Heart & Soul model on its own with the mission of discovering “the themes in our community that unite us and highlighting them through a campaign of storytelling and resident driven visioning.” It later joined other Pennsylvania towns in receiving support and guidance from our partner, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.
Emporium joined other towns to form:
The Cameron County Project
The Town of Essex and Village of Essex Junction are overlapping municipalities grappling with how their futures fit together. For more than 50 years, residents of the two municipalities have debated the merits of merging or separating. Governing boards, committees, and municipal services coordinate to varying degrees, though many of these entities still function separately, including planning. Heart & Soul of Essex looked to find common ground. The question was not whether to merge or separate, but how to work together to lay the groundwork for an enduring future.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, the City of Etna became one of the newest Heart & Soul communities in Pennsylvania. Etna Borough (pop of 3,426) is a demographically diverse community along the Allegheny River just outside of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of PA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Located in South Carolina, we partnered with the Arras Foundation to bring Community Heart & Soul directly to the town of Fort Lawn. Heart & Soul Team members and resident’s worked to revitalize the community - everything from education to economic development to the character that draws people. The project initiatives were supported by Community Heart & Soul-led coaches, training and technical assistance to guide community engagement activities throughout the community development projects.
Frankenmuth Heart & Soul actively seeks the collective wisdom of all citizens, including those voices that are often missing, bringing people together to build a stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant community.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, the City of Franklin, Oil City, and Cranberry Township have joined together to form Venango Area Heart & Soul.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of PA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
During fall 2015, Community Heart & Soul, a small town revitalization effort started in Vermont, made its way to Galesburg, IL. Ever since then, Galesburg On Track has discovered what Galesburg residents love most about their community and how everyone can make it a place residents are proud to call home. Since the beginning of the Galesburg On Track initiative, this team has gone out into the community, listened to the needs of residents, and made plans for the future.
Gardiner was hard hit by the steady decline of manufacturing in Maine, losing employers, jobs, and population. In 2002, hoping to reverse the city’s fortunes, Gardiner built a business park near the highway. It never filled and amassed more than $1 million in debt. The seven mills that lined the Cobbossee Stream in Gardiner, Maine, were monuments to the city’s industrial legacy. Here the shoe, textile, fabrication, and paper industries thrived until the latter half of the 20th century. Now, the mill buildings are gone or reduced to rubble. One thousand jobs went with them. The decline continued into the 21st century. One of Gardiner’s remaining major employers went out of business, a loss of 141 jobs. A candle company left town siphoning away another 70 jobs. Population continued to slide, dropping 14 percent while the county population grew 5 percent. Hoping to reverse Gardiner’s fortunes, the city built a business park. It never filled. A $5.7 million expansion failed to solve the problem. Half of the lots weren’t sold and debt mounted to more than $1 million.
Growing Garnett Community Heart & Soul started in the summer of 2020. The project is driven by the residents of Garnett, Kansas and includes people of all ages who live, work, play, and learn within the city limits of Garnett.
Check out this great article here about Growing Garnett Community Heart & Soul in The Anderson County Review!
Golden’s population grew more than 30 percent between 1990 and 2000, presenting challenges of walkability, community engagement and affordable housing. In the 1990s, residents became concerned about the pace and consequences of growth and worked to impose strict regulations on development and expansion. Voters adopted ordinances limiting construction of new residences to one percent per year and curtailed the physical expansion of the city limits. With further growth projected, Golden wanted to proactively involve the entire community in discussing potential challenges.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Grand Isle and Van Buren, Maine have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. We're thrilled that Van Buren Heart & Soul one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Something GRAND is happening in Grand Lake: The Grand Lake Heart & Soul Project. We believe that the strength of a community lies in the hands and the hearts of the people who live there, and that the community’s heart and soul is the common cause that residents will rally around. By listening to and working closely with people who live in the community, these citizens begin to get involved and see themselves and their personal stories as part of a larger community story. This investment by our residents, and the understanding that our residents are the creators and guardians of the community story, helps to define the heart and soul of Grand Lake, constructing a profoundly stronger, thriving, unified community.
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, this South Carolina community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents. Through partnership with the Arras Foundation, residents in Great Falls have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read more about the great things happening in Great Falls here!
Through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Great Carlisle Project (GCP) began in 2016. Following the Community Heart & Soul framework, members of the GCP, with the leadership of the Project Director, work with their community to tell, listen and share stories about the cultural heritage of the community. Through the storytelling process residents will come to know the "heart and soul" of their community - what they value, what matters most, how they relate to each other and to their landscape, and what they want for our future.
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Greenwood joined other towns to form:
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul
Hallowell Heart & Soul is a community development team made up of Hallowellians who are interested in furthering conversations with residents to try and put their finger on the pulse of the community. We're thrilled that Hallowell, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Hammonton will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight the Heart & Soul work in their community here!
The North Fork Heart & Soul believed there is a better and more inclusive way to move forward together in the Valley and to make decisions that take into account the diversity of experience, knowledge, and understanding people have about where they live - about what makes this place home. Heart and Soul provides a path towards building thriving places where we as citizens steer the future of the North Fork Valley. We are a group of local residents, officials, and volunteers from the North Fork Valley who want to learn about what all our neighbors think matters most about where we live and where we are headed; about the common goals we share in our communities and for our local economy; and about how to protect and celebrate the heritage of the North Fork Valley.
Hotchkiss joined other towns to form:
North Fork Heart & Soul, Colorado
In 2013, McComb lost its anchor retail store, leaving 16 buildings vacant downtown. At the same time, expansion of an intermodal rail terminal nearby puts McComb at a potential pivot point. With a grant from the local community foundation, townspeople decided to draft a new future and create McComb Region Heart & Soul.
Hoytville joined other towns to form:
McComb Region Heart & Soul, OhioSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Joy joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Keithsburg joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better Together
Kent Community Heart & Soul is a resident driven initiative designed to involve everyone, identify what matters most and develop plans for the future. This is a community based strategic planning project that will help keep Kent, Ohio a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.
Located in South Carolina, we partnered with the Arras Foundation to bring Community Heart & Soul directly to the town of Kershaw. During the initial two years of the Heart & Soul Kershaw program, youth and adults engaged in a series of conversations, community mappings, and other creative activities for the purpose of identifying our common interests and values. Kershaw Heart & Soul created a clear values and vision statement for the Kershaw community. The Heart & Soul process designed a plan that can guide community decision-making processes for the future of the area.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Laconia is a small city in central New Hampshire distinguished by the four bodies of water that either border the city or are within city limits: Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake, Paugus Bay, and Opechee Bay. Laconia has three distinct villages as part of the makeup of the city: Downtown, Lakeport and Weir’s Beach. This has created a divide for years with residents arguing on how each area should develop, allocate budgets, and plan land use. As a tourist community, there is conflict between the economic benefits of tourism and the strain on local resources.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Lincolnville, Maine have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Lyons, Georgia are working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. It’s being done in partnership with Altamaha EMC (electric membership cooperative), an affiliate of our partner, Georgia EMC. Lyons Heart & Soul Core Team will involve everyone in the community to establish a collective vision for the future of the City of Lyons. We're thrilled that Lyons Heart & Soul is off and running!
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, Macedonia is writing the next chapter of the town’s history with the help of Community Heart & Soul. The community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents. As the community enters the next phase of Community Heart & Soul, they’re analyzing data collected and will use this to craft Heart & Soul Statements, representing what matters most to the community.
Read more about the great things happening in Macedonia here!
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Macksburg joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulMadison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Madison County Heart & Soul joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulMahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Manning Heart & Soul is a community driven effort focusing on what matters to the citizens of the Manning area in South Carolina. By sharing stories and ideas they will build a common vision for their future. The Manning Heart & Soul leadership team and volunteers continue to work tirelessly to listen to what matters most to residents. While working with residents through the Community Heart & Soul process, the Manning Heart & Soul team identified that a strong “sense of community” was something that mattered most to everyone. Residents wanted to have more community events and opportunities for residents to foster a sense of community-mindedness and be involved. Manning Heart & Soul volunteers have participated in over 20 community events, ranging from high school sporting events, outdoor concerts and festivals, as well as holding their own events.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Mansfield became one of the newest Heart & Soul communities in Pennsylvania. Mansfield is a borough located in east-central Tioga County, Pennsylvania, United States, in the Tioga River valley.
We're thrilled that Mansfield, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Matherville joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherIn 2013, McComb lost its anchor retail store, leaving 16 buildings vacant downtown. At the same time, expansion of an intermodal rail terminal nearby puts McComb at a potential pivot point. With a grant from the local community foundation, townspeople decided to draft a new future and create McComb Region Heart & Soul.
Through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, My Meadville started to bring the community together by talking about and identifying what matters most to all residents – the heart and soul of the City of Meadville. By bringing everyone who lives, works, plays and prays within the city limits into the conversation, the statement of what Meadville values most will aid in guiding city’s elected and appointed officials as well as individuals, agencies, groups and businesses to make the best decisions for the future.
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, this Illinois community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents and revitalize downtown Mendota so all residents have a great place to live, work and play. With Community Heart & Soul, residents in Mendota have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. The town has already made considerable progress, connecting with over 200 residents at various community events. Information gathered from surveys and conversations will help guide their community’s plans, priorities, and investments. Stay tuned for more to come!
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Monticello’s Community Heart & Soul project started in the spring of 2015 in partnership with Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, and was envisioned as the first of several Heart & Soul projects in the region aimed at helping towns assess their assets and make decisions that enrich the community. Monticello has a diverse economic base of agriculture, manufacturing and small, locally owned businesses. The approximately 14 industries in town include injection molding, hydraulics, steel building manufacturing, and custom sewing and design.
We're excited to announce that Brooks County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This is county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Barwick, Morven, Pavo, and Quitman, has support from Colquitt EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Brooks County Development Authority. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Great Carlisle Project (GCP) began in 2016. Following the Community Heart & Soul framework, members of the GCP, with the leadership of the Project Director, work with their community to tell, listen and share stories about the cultural heritage of the community. Through the storytelling process residents will come to know the "heart and soul" of their community - what they value, what matters most, how they relate to each other and to their landscape, and what they want for our future.
Mount Holly Springs joined other towns to form:
Greater Carlisle Project, Pennsylvania
In March 2017, our partnership with the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation started the Heart & Soul work within the community of Mt. Blanchard, creating Mt. Blanchard Heart & Soul. This process resulted in developing a plan for growing the community based on what matters most. The Heart & Soul process gathered information from all who call Mt. Blanchard home, built networks and connections and established goals for the future that represent all residents.
Muscatine Community Heart & Soul is an initiative to involve all residents in conversations to improve their community. They are off and running building on the valued strengths of their community to continually improve Muscatine in ways residents want to see. The Heart & Soul team has been hosting events and having meaningful conversations to help involve citizens in generating ideas to act upon. Their focus is on building what is working and valued in their community while ensuring all voices are incorporated into solutions.
Learn more about Muscatine Community Heart & Soul here!
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
New Boston joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
New Windsor joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherMahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Newry joined other towns to form:
Mahoosuc Heart & SoulStarting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
The North Fork Heart & Soul believed there is a better and more inclusive way to move forward together in the Valley and to make decisions that take into account the diversity of experience, knowledge, and understanding people have about where they live - about what makes this place home. Heart & Soul provided a path towards building thriving places to steer the future of the North Fork Valley. A group of local residents, officials, and volunteers from the North Fork Valley who wanted to learn about what all our neighbors think matters most about where they lived and where they were headed; about the common goals they shared in their communities and for their local economy; and about how to protect and celebrate the heritage of the North Fork Valley.
North Fork Valley Heart & Soul joined other towns to form:
North Fork Heart & Soul, ColoradoSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
North Henderson joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better Together
The Town of Walden is in Jackson County (known as “North Park”), a remote and breathtakingly beautiful valley surrounded by mountains on the Colorado/Wyoming border. The area has historically depended economically on its natural resources and is currently known for natural gas extraction, as well as for its world-class fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. North Park Heart & Soul has engaged residents to work collectively to create a vision for Jackson County that ensures the Soul of the community thrives.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, the City of Oil City, the City of Franklin, and Cranberry Township have joined together to form Venango Area Heart & Soul.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of PA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
The North Fork Heart & Soul believed there is a better and more inclusive way to move forward together in the Valley and to make decisions that take into account the diversity of experience, knowledge, and understanding people have about where they live - about what makes this place home. Heart and Soul provides a path towards building thriving places where we as citizens steer the future of the North Fork Valley. We are a group of local residents, officials, and volunteers from the North Fork Valley who want to learn about what all our neighbors think matters most about where we live and where we are headed; about the common goals we share in our communities and for our local economy; and about how to protect and celebrate the heritage of the North Fork Valley.
Paonia joined other towns to form:
North Fork Heart & Soul, ColoradoWe're excited to announce that Terrell County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Bronwood, Dawson, Parrott, and Sasser, has support from Sumter EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Terrell County Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Patterson joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulWe're excited to announce that Brooks County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This is county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Barwick, Morven, Pavo, and Quitman, has support from Colquitt EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Brooks County Development Authority. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Pittsfield, Maine are working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. They want to engage residents and bring people together, working toward a common goal of increasing community activities and engagement, as well as attracting new residents. The town’s leadership are open and excited for community participation in shaping the future of the community.
We're thrilled that Pittsfield Heart & Soul is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
The Polson Heart & Soul project asked residents what they loved about Polson and their hopes for Polson’s future. The Team listened and recorded every one of their answers. The data was compiled and about eight themes emerged. Following the confirmation and determination of a final set of values in early 2014, the final step was the recommendation and action-planning phase. Recommendations provided community volunteers, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, and local government with a clear idea of how to align their projects and collaborate on community priorities.
It was more than 20 years ago that the City of Pontiac last prepared a comprehensive city plan for the future. Much has changed in our community over those 20+ years, and it is time to create a new plan. In the simplest terms, an effective city plan helps government and citizens, working together, create a great community -- a wonderful place to live, to work, to raise a family. Having a plan allows us some control over the future of our city and provides us with a set of guidelines that we can refer to as circumstances change over time.
In order to get more public input on the shape of the City of Pontiac’s future, the City Council will be utilizing a new method of planning. At its December 18, 2017 meeting, the Council approved a resolution authorizing the implementation of the Community Heart and Soul.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Port Allegany became one of the newest Heart & Soul communities in Pennsylvania. Port Allegany (pop 2090) is nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
We're thrilled that Port Allegany, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Postville, Iowa, is a small community with almost 3,000 residents, encompassing a little more than two square miles in a land of gently rolling hills. With a Seed Grant from Community Heart & Soul and the enthusiastic support of the Postville City Council, the Allamakee County Economic Development, the Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative, and the nonprofit Our Postville, a team of volunteers is off and running working on resident participation.
Read more about the great things happening in Postville here!
We're excited to announce that Brooks County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This is county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Barwick, Morven, Pavo, and Quitman, has support from Colquitt EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Brooks County Development Authority. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Rockland Heart & Soul began in 2016 to collect input in support development of a new Comprehensive Plan for the city. The project was organized, led and implemented by a group of volunteers who collected over 300 interviews of community members. Drawing on data from interviews and other engagement activities, the Rockland Heart & Soul team developed twelve Heart & Soul statements and identified 65 actions to strengthen the community.
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, Rosendale looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents. The Rosendale Heart & Soul effort was initiated in spring 2022 by the Rosendale Economic Development Committee which was aware that the most recent Rosendale comprehensive plan was completed in 2005.
Rosendale Heart & Soul seeks to build on the prior town plan, increase and improve engagement between Rosendale Village Route 32 corridor bordering Main Street and the hamlets. The project received a supporting resolution from the Town Board and then became an independent NYS nonprofit group supported by a core group of volunteers. This project will provide a process to bridge business, geographic divides and create a community that supports all residents.
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Salem will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight their work in the community here!
San Elizario, Texas, (pop. 9,000) is on the southwestern border with Mexico. Officially a city since just 2013, the place is rich in history. The City of San Elizario worked to bring Heart & Soul® to their community, and knowing that the voices of all residents are very important for understanding the future of their city. Members of San Elizario's Community Heart & Soul Team are connecting people to their community in powerful ways, including story gathering, engaging youth and creating special events involving everyone.
We're excited to announce that Terrell County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Bronwood, Dawson, Parrott, and Sasser, has support from Sumter EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Terrell County Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Seaton joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Sherrard joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better Together
The Cameron County Project was founded in 2017 and started implementing the Community Heart & Soul model on its own with the mission of discovering “the themes in our community that unite us and highlighting them through a campaign of storytelling and resident driven visioning.” It later joined other Pennsylvania towns in receiving support and guidance from our partner, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.
Sinnemahoning joined other towns to form:
The Cameron County ProjectMadison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
St Charles joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulThe Cameron County Project was founded in 2017 and started implementing the Community Heart & Soul model on its own with the mission of discovering “the themes in our community that unite us and highlighting them through a campaign of storytelling and resident driven visioning.” It later joined other Pennsylvania towns in receiving support and guidance from our partner, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.
The Cameron County Project joined other towns to form:
The Cameron County Project
Georgia EMC’s Community Development Team partnered to offer Community Heart & Soul® to the Thomaston-Upson (T-Up) community on behalf of Upson EMC. T-Up Heart & Soul was a joint effort of the City of Thomaston, The Upson County Commission, Upson EMC, the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, private businesses, and countless volunteers. In March of 2020, the T-Up Heart & Soul team was recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for being the first community in the state to complete the process.
Georgia EMC’s Community Development Team partnered to offer Community Heart & Soul® to the Thomaston-Upson (T-Up) community on behalf of Upson EMC. T-Up Heart & Soul was a joint effort of the City of Thomaston, The Upson County Commission, Upson EMC, the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, private businesses, and countless volunteers. In March of 2020, the T-Up Heart & Soul team was recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for being the first community in the state to complete the process.
Thomaston joined other towns to form:
Thomaston-Upson Heart & Soul
Tidioute Borough is a small community nestled in a valley in the foothills of the Allegheny mountains. Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Tidioute became a 2021 Heart & Soul community. Tidioute residents recognize that these challenges require a broader, creative approach to revitalization, which is why they have embraced the Heart & Soul process.
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Truro joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulStarting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Situated in southeastern Pennsylvania is the quiet suburban community of Upper Chichester Township. Its diverse population of 16,954 residents enjoy short commutes to Philadelphia and Wilmington as well as close proximity to the amenities offered by the greater Philadelphia region. Small businesses dot the main roads, offering options for shopping, dining and entertainment. Upper Chichester Heart & Soul is now looking to engage residents, strengthen community networks and develop a truly shared vision for the future of the township -- one that everyone in the township can take “Chi Pride” in.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Grand Isle and Van Buren, Maine have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. We're thrilled that Van Buren Heart & Soul one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Envision Victor sought to implement a new kind of planning in our City, a process that focused on engaging our citizens, bridging our divisions, and honoring our shared values, in order to realize a vibrant and enduring Victor for years to come.
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Viola joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherThe towns of Akron and Westfield, Iowa are joining forces to improve their communities. They received $10,000 to kickstart Community Heart & Soul through our Seed Grant Program. Stronger Together: Akron and Westfield Heart & Soul is working to discover what matters most to the residents of Westfield and Akron.
Read more about Stronger Together: Akron and Westfield Heart & Soul here!
The Heart of Williamsport, a Community Heart & Soul® project through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, actively seeks the collective wisdom of all citizens, including those whose voices are often missing, to bring people together to build stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant community.
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Willingboro Township will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight their work in the community here!
Winchendon has been selected to receive one of the first three $10,000 Seed Grants awarded by Community Heart & Soul. With leadership from HEAL Winchendon, a community-based coalition, resident, and youth leaders are promoting inclusive community engagement through Community Heart & Soul in Winchendon.
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Winslow will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight their work in the community here!
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Winterset joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & Soul
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Woodbury will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight their work in the community here!
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Woodstock joined other towns to form:
Mahoosuc Heart & SoulGeorgia EMC’s Community Development Team partnered to offer Community Heart & Soul® to the Thomaston-Upson (T-Up) community on behalf of Upson EMC. T-Up Heart & Soul was a joint effort of the City of Thomaston, The Upson County Commission, Upson EMC, the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, private businesses, and countless volunteers. In March of 2020, the T-Up Heart & Soul team was recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for being the first community in the state to complete the process.
Yatesville joined other towns to form:
Thomaston-Upson Heart & Soul
Youngsville is a community nestled in a valley within the Pennsylvania Wilds along Route 6 and has a variety of local businesses, a library, churches, and several parks. Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Youngsville became a Heart & Soul community. Youngsville's Heart & Soul aims to listen to the community, cherish all traditions, embrace their diversity, and ensure inclusion to build a strong social, cultural, and economic environment now and for future generations.