By Jen Danifo
If you’ve ever driven through Warren County’s Brokenstraw Valley in northwestern Pennsylvania, you know the feeling — somewhere along the river or as the hills roll into view, it sneaks up on you.
Youngsville isn’t just a dot on the map. With rivers that sparkle, mountains on the horizon, and autumn trees ablaze in color, it’s a place with deep roots and stories worth telling. Through the PA Heart & Soul process, those stories have become the foundation of a Community Plan that blends old-fashioned hometown pride with modern tools to shape a future true to Youngsville’s people, culture, and landscape.
The town’s history stretches back to 1796, when Scotsman Matthew Young laid out the streets still in use today. It bore a few names before settling on Youngsville in 1816, and long before that, the Seneca and Delaware people knew the valley as Cushanadauga, after the tall grasses that once blanketed the land.
“So often, individuals we spoke to expressed so much appreciation and gratitude when they were given an opportunity to share their ideas.”
Heart & Soul project coordinator Barbara Young
Today, Youngsville is home to about 1,700 residents and serves as an education hub for the region. In 2020, the borough took on something new: the Community Heart & Soul process. With support from PA Humanities and partners including Community Heart & Soul, the PA Route 6 Alliance, and state agencies, and led by the Revitalization of Youngsville (ROY), the effort aimed to strengthen community life, grow local pride, and encourage the next generation of leaders.
The Heart & Soul process uses the power of storytelling to help residents learn what they love about where they live, what future they want for their community and how to get there together.
In Youngsville, this meant navigating the tail end of a global pandemic and still showing up wherever folks gathered. The team, which included the borough manager, a local resident serving as project coordinator, and a handful of passionate residents, joined in at Corn Fest, planned and attended the revived holiday festival, and visited church gatherings, senior centers, and school events. They talked with parents, grandparents, kids, and local leaders. By the end, they’d collected more than 700 pieces of feedback – 96 personal stories, 47 surveys, and input from 22 events.
“We had the opportunity to speak with so many individuals who not only live in the local community, but those who regularly visit, as well as those travelling through,” project coordinator, Barbara Young said. “So many memories, stories of community history, as well as discussions of the hopes and dreams for its future were shared. So often, individuals we spoke to expressed so much appreciation and gratitude when they were given an opportunity to share their ideas.”
From those conversations, four themes rose to the top:
- Keep and strengthen the small-town feel of the Brokenstraw Valley
- Host more events that bring people together
- Protect and enjoy the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities
- Support and grow local businesses
Already, those priorities are sparking visible changes. With support from the PA Route 6 Alliance, new bike racks were installed downtown. The long-unused Fairmont Hotel was recently demolished, clearing the way for a future park and gathering space. And the beloved Brokenstraw Valley Swimming Pool is getting renewed attention to keep it a summertime tradition.
Alongside these visible projects, a Community Plan now outlines 20 short- and long-term ideas. Some are underway, while others await the right mix of volunteers and resources. But something more lasting is also happening: neighbors are building trust, reconnecting, and finding new leaders ready to step forward.
“Through the Heart & Soul process, the Borough gained a deeper understanding of what truly matters to our residents,” borough manager Wendy Wilcox said. “Resident feedback affirmed some of the projects already underway and will guide how we plan and grow together in the future.”
With Heart & Soul as a guide, Youngsville is showing that when people come together and listen to one another, challenges can turn into opportunities. The “Biggest Little Town on the Map” has also rediscovered itself, blending hometown pride with new energy, and shaping a future that reflects its people and landscape.
“It has been an honor to share in everyone’s stories and their wishes for the future,” Young said. “I will treasure this experience always.”
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