Tidioute and Youngsville boroughs will each receive up to $150,000 in grants and in-kind support over two years through the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the PA Route 6 Alliance.

After learning about the Community Heart and Soul Program, leaders of both communities applied for the grant opportunities in November. They were notified this month.

The other awardees this year are Carbondale and Wyoming County.

“The Pennsylvania Humanities Council (PHC) has partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the PA Route 6 Alliance to support Carbondale, Youngsville, Wyoming County, and Tidioute along their paths to becoming stronger, more vibrant communities using Community Heart & Soul®, a humanities-based approach to community and economic development,” according to a release from PHC. “Additional support is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Tidioute is one of two Warren County boroughs to receive up to $150,000 in grant funding and in-kind services over two years through a Pennsylvania Humanities Council partnership.

“Through this unique partnership among government agencies and state and regional nonprofits, PHC is providing training and technical support valued at an estimated $50,000 per year to each town in partnership with the Community Heart & Soul national staff,” according to PHC. “In addition, the communities may receive up to $25,000 per year in combined funding over the course of two years from PHC, DCED, PA Route 6 Alliance, and DCNR for a total investment valued at up to $150,000 per community.”

“The Heart and Soul model uses storytelling to bring people together, allowing each one to be heard, and helps motivate people to communicate and work together to achieve a healthier community, which in turns, creates a healthier economy,” Youngsville Borough Manager Lisa Hagberg said.

“We receive $25,000 for administration and PHC provides the coach and supplies – a value of $50,000 – to provide us the training and technical support for planning. Plus, we are eligible to apply for $25,000 each year for two years to DCED,” Hagberg said. “The funds will be used for project personnel, event and meeting supplies and expenses, marketing and promotions, subscription fees, software, etc., and office administration expenses to achieve the goals of bringing people together and getting the community stories told.”

The grant “means everything,” Tidioute Borough Office Manager Crystal Heenan said. “We’re just getting started with our revitalization.”

“We’ll be able to make our dreams and wishes a reality with their help,” Heenan said. “We’ve just started to get going again.”

In addition to dollars, the grant includes in-kind services like coaching and technical training.

“They will provide us with over $50,000 in in-kind services,” she said. “We have the guidance from the PHC. They will provide us a coach and training.”

“We are going to work with them on our goals,” Heenan said. “We will be able to establish a plan of action for our community.”

Tidioute’s revitalization effort includes the formation of Tidioute Longevity Community (TLC).

“Now that we got this grant, that will help this group get off the ground,” she said.

“We are excited to work with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and their partners to bring the people of the Youngsville community together, engaging each one in communication and storytelling in order to work towards a healthier and more united community,” Hagberg said.

“The humanities have proven a powerful tool for community and economic development in Pennsylvania,” PHC Executive Director Laurie Zierer said. “Despite the present challenges, our resilient Community Heart & Soul towns are finding innovative and safe ways to engage residents, build relationships, honor homegrown talents and assets, and reclaim and reshape their communities.”