Communities, partners gather to celebrate 10 years of Heart & Soul
For the past decade, PA Humanities’ partnership with Community Heart & Soul has shown how a simple but powerful process rooted in storytelling and resident-driven planning can change lives and transform communities. By creating space for people to share their stories, recognize their own expertise, and build shared values, Heart & Soul has helped towns across Pennsylvania foster deeper connections, spark new leadership, and shape more inclusive, vibrant futures.
Brandywine Library teens turn book discussions into real-world mental health action
Inspired by their book selections and a growing interest in mental health awareness, seven teens who are part of PA Humanities’ Youth-Led Humanities programming at Brandywine Library completed Teen Mental Health First Aid Training. The program gives high school students the tools to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in themselves and their peers.Â
PA Humanities Welcomes Johnsonburg and Ridgway as Our Newest Heart & Soul Communities
PA Humanities is thrilled to announce Johnsonburg and Ridgway as the newest boroughs to join our growing network of PA Heart & Soul communities – bringing our total to 17 participating regions across Pennsylvania.
Register now for Heart & Soul virtual info session
If you live, work or play in a PA community and would like to bring residents together for transformative conversations and resident-driven planning, PA Humanities invites you to learn more about becoming a PA Heart & Soul community! We are excited to launch the application process for the 2025-27 cycle this summer.Â
Rain Poetry project in Johnstown concludes with special book celebration
Young poets who took part in PA Humanities’ Rain Poetry project in Johnstown in 2024 gathered at the Cambria County Library in April to receive their copies of the booklet containing all of the poems written as part of the project, and celebrate the power of self-expression through haiku one more time.
Voices of History: Stories of community
Welcome to Voices of History, a PA Humanities project inspired by the works of renowned playwright August Wilson and designed to showcase the voices of everyday Black Pennsylvanians. In this series of videos, you’ll hear remembrances and reflections on neighborhoods, and stories of impact and influence in the community. Each video brings the individual stories to life in the storytellers’ own words, enriched by archival photos.