Photo submitted to the Times Observer Pictured are some of the recipients receiving the award.

A four-year journey of community connection, collaboration, and shared vision reached a significant milestone recently as Youngsville Borough was officially designated a Pennsylvania Heart & Soul Community during a ceremony at Island Park.

Dozens of residents, officials, and community partners gathered to celebrate the achievement, which was marked by the presentation of a commemorative plaque from PA Humanities honoring the borough’s completion of the Community Heart & Soul program — a grassroots approach that puts residents at the center of local decision-making.

“Today, we recognize Youngsville for its accomplishments and the work it’s done in engaging and empowering the public through this transformative process,” said Warren County Commissioner Dan Glotz, who also serves as president of the PA Route 6 Alliance Board. “Community Heart & Soul is a four-phase process that places residents at the center as the true experts of their community through the journey.”

Youngsville’s Heart & Soul efforts began in 2021, following the award of a startup grant. In the years since, local leaders, with support from the PA Route 6 Alliance and the Revitalization of Youngsville (ROY), conducted interviews, hosted events, and gathered input from hundreds of residents to craft a Community Action Plan grounded in the community’s shared values and vision.

The process also led to the publication of a detailed Community Report, outlining the priorities, aspirations, and concrete ideas for the future of Youngsville.

“We appreciate all of your input as well,” said Borough Manager Wendy Wilcox. “If you look in the community report, please share it. Please. If you have any ideas, by all means, share them with us. If you have any ideas for what can be at Island Park, or, you know, any idea for around town, just let us know. Let us know, that’s what we want. We want your voices.”

Heart & Soul leader Barbara Young reflected on the experience of bringing the community together through years of shared conversations and storytelling.

“This has been a wonderful experience,” she said. “The community has come together. We’ve had multiple events where we’ve gotten to know some of you, talk with some of you, and get your input throughout the last few years with this..”

The official Heart & Soul plaque was presented by Route 6 Alliance Executive Director Candace Hillyard, who pledged continued support to help Youngsville turn ideas into action.

“Thank you so much to Wendy and Barb for bringing your groups here and having a beautiful celebration today of a plan that you now have,” Hillyard said.

Now recognized as a Pennsylvania Heart & Soul Community, Youngsville joins a growing network of towns across the commonwealth committed to resident-driven planning and community revitalization. The borough’s next steps will focus on using the Community Action Plan to secure funding, support local projects, and build on the strong foundation of resident involvement.

To view Youngsville’s Heart & Soul Community Report or learn how to get involved, residents are encouraged to contact the borough office or visit the Revitalization of Youngsville on social media.