Bringing Community Heart & Soul Along Route 6

KANE - The PA Humanities, in collaboration with the PA Route 6 Alliance, hosted a webinar on March 17 to discuss the benefits of the Community Heart & Soul program.

This revitalization method for small cities and rural communities is based on three powerful principles: Involve everyone, focus on what matters, and play the long game. Developed by the Orton Family Foundation, Community Heart & Soul helps towns move toward a brighter, more prosperous future rooted in what matters most to those living there. PA Route 6 Alliance will be applying for funding for communities within the Route 6 Corridor who wish to apply to become a PA Heart & Soul community.

PA Humanities began a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the PA Route 6 Alliance, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources In February 2021. So far, they’ve brought Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor: Carbondale, Tidioute, Wyoming County, and Youngsville. Rural Route 6 crosses the northern tier of Pennsylvania from Ohio to New York. It is the longest highway in the Commonwealth and called “one of America’s most scenic drives” by National Geographic. This stretch of road is home to many historical, rural, resilient, and creative towns.

Community Heart & Soul was started by businessman Liman Orton, who with his three sons, is the proprietor of the Vermont Country Store. Orton wrestled with divisive development proposals while serving on his town's planning commission. He grew frustrated that a minority of the residents decided the entire town's future. Orton yearned for a method that included guidance from most of the town residents.

Lyman Orton explains Community Heart & Soul is guided by what matters most.

What matters most to whom? The residents, the way they live their lives. Any town would benefit from this process because people engage more in the decisions made by their community leaders. Citizens become stronger believers in their ability to shape their community.

Community Heart & Soul is led by the residents and engages the entire population of a town. The process identifies what folks love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. Bringing the citizens of a community together to shape the future leads to positive and lasting change. No one is as smart as everyone. Creating forums for dialogue in the community and focusing on what really matters ensures plans are implemented.

Resident volunteers lead the Community Heart & Soul model in collaboration with the program. The model becomes a catalyst for change that unifies citizens and

elected officials. Together they make more vibrant, healthier, and economically sound small cities and towns. The Community Heart & Soul model of community development is 20-years tested in small cities and towns across the country. It encourages communities to try new approaches to engagement and decision-making. Community Heart & Soul is just the beginning of a journey of discovery and relationship building that teaches communities how to revitalize themselves.

The Community Heart & Soul believes that the strength of a community lies in the hands and hearts of the people who live there. Once agreed upon, the community will rally around its heart and soul as a

common cause. Every town has unique attributes, historical places, traditions, and personalities. These characteristics are

what distinguish and define the culture. People want to take pride and care about where they live. Community Heart & Soul strives

to reconnect people with what they love most about their town. Then that sentiment is translated into a blueprint for community

decisions. This unique approach is designed to increase participation and engage residents in community planning and devel

opment honoring the unique character of each person and place.

Visit www.pahumanities.org for more information.