Draft Community Heart & Soul Statements
These draft statements reflect what we have heard from community members about what matters most in Pepperell. These draft statements are about our shared values – not necessarily where we are today, but what we want to carry forward.
Nature, Open Space & Agriculture
Pepperell cherishes its natural landscape -- the Nashua River Rail Trail, working farms, the Town Forest, open spaces, and dark night skies that sustain our biodiversity and quality of life. We value our agricultural roots and the community's strong support for the right to farm. Residents strive to protect and enhance these features and create more opportunities for people of all ages to connect with the outdoors
Small-Town Character, Belonging & Inclusion
Pepperell is held together by everyday relationships -- familiar faces, small gestures of care, and informal networks of support that make people feel seen, known, and part of something larger. Our traditions, shared celebrations, and acts of kindness reflect a community that genuinely cares for one another. As Pepperell evolves, we strive to protect our small-town character while working toward a town that is welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
Gathering Spaces & Connectivity
Pepperell comes alive when people gather. Local businesses, Lawrence Library programs, events at the Albert Harris Center, Sis McGrath Community Center and The Fitz, and traditions like the Fourth of July parade create shared experiences that strengthen community pride. Residents value sidewalks, trails, and safe streets that make it easy to walk downtown, visit neighbors, and access services -- and we strive to improve connectivity so that residents of all ages and abilities can participate fully in community life.
Housing
Pepperell strives to be a place where people can build their lives and remain part of an affordable community across generations. New and long-time residents alike want families, young people, and older adults to call Pepperell home, and we seek solutions that support long-term belonging and stability.
Local Economy & Businesses
Pepperell values its local businesses as essential to the town's character, resilient economy, and daily life. Commercial farms, small shops, local restaurants, skilled trades, and home-based businesses provide goods, services, and jobs that form the essential base of a thriving community. We strive to support and strengthen our local business community while exploring thoughtful economic development that keeps Pepperell vibrant.
LEARN ABOUT THE COMMUNITY HEART AND SOUL PROJECT & PROCESS
WELCOME TO
Every town has a heart and soul that reflects what residents love about their community and why they choose to live there.
WHAT IS COMMUNITY HEART & SOUL?
Community Heart & Soul is a resident driven process that engages the entire population of a town in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Founded by Lyman Orton, Proprietor, The Vermont Country Store & developed and field-tested over a decade in partnership with over 90 small cities and towns across the United States, Community Heart & Soul is a proven process for engaging a community in shaping its future.
Based on three powerful principles – involve everyone, focus on what matters most, and play the long game – Community Heart & Soul helps towns move toward a brighter, more prosperous future by bringing community residents closer together.
When residents get closer, differences fade and the things they care most about replace the differences. Trust is built and residents become stronger believers in their communities and more collaborative in their decision-making. People continue to stay in their communities, new people move in, and investment in towns increases.
Community Heart & Soul is unique in how it engages residents. It is a highly inclusive process that reaches deep into communities to ensure all voices are represented in determining a town’s future. Instead of bringing residents to the table, Community Heart & Soul brings the table to residents at community events, neighborhood block parties, schools, businesses, and virtual gatherings.
Social & Economic Benefits
Heart & Soul communities experience a range of social and economic benefits:
Pride and confidence grow in the town
Civility and respect increase
Residents feel more connected to one another
Volunteerism increases
New young leaders emerge
More residents run for local office
Economic conditions improve
Investment in the town increases
New local businesses open
Town officials gain a deeper understanding of what matters to residents
Towns are better prepared to respond to emergency situations
A LOCAL CASE STUDY
WINCHENDON, MA
Residents of Winchendon, Massachusetts are bridging divides to find what matters most to their community using their recently awarded Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant. With leadership from HEAL Winchendon, a community-based coalition, resident and youth leaders are promoting inclusive community engagement. Learn how they brought together town leaders, the school district, the local hospital and health network, as well as local youth, residents and non-profits.
“One of the differences we’ve seen with the Seed Grant so far, is a shift in outlook about our community. Winchendon has typically been defined by its problems and just getting folks together on these core teams and sub teams has already changed the outlook from one of problems to one of possibilities. We’ve also empowered a lot of residents to not just talk about their hopes and dreams for the town but also to take action.” —Miranda Jennings, Project Manager, Community Heart & Soul, Winchendon, MA
VOLUNTEERING
PERSONAL GAINS FROM PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY HEART & SOUL PROJECTS
Volunteering is personally rewarding! Heart & Soul team members from across the country share what they value about the Heart & Soul process and what they’ve personally gained from being involved.
“You learn to listen with Community Heart & Soul. I think that is the biggest thing that changed me is learning to listen. Learning to listen sincerely is so important because people have a story and they want to tell you that, but they also have ideas about what they want their town to be. That is really what it is all about.” --Chris Johnson, Bucksport, Maine
“It has given me the opportunity to meet new people, to form some new relationships, and make some new friendships through the process. It has also given me the satisfaction and the comfort of knowing that I am helping our community. I’m not just taking from the community, I’m actually giving back to the community, and that is something that is important to me personally.” --Rich Rehmann, Hammonton, New Jersey
“For myself, the Heart & Soul project has been a huge boost in confidence in reaching out to people in our community that ordinarily I probably wouldn’t. I’m pretty much an introvert and like to hide out and do my thing behind the scenes, but this project has opened my heart and mind up to the things that we can do working together to build our community.” --Melanie Leaverton, Walden, Colorado