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.
Mission
"Winchendon Community Heart and Soul is passionately committed to forging a dynamic and thriving future for our town, ensuring that every individual in the community plays an active role.
Our focus is centered on the priorities and values of our residents, celebrating the distinct identity and emotional ties they share with Winchendon. With a long-term vision, we consistently engage in a deliberate and reflective process, respecting our historical roots while creatively planning for a future that is sustainable and inclusive.
At the heart of our mission is the belief that every voice in the community is important and deserves to be heard and appreciated."
Community Heart & Soul Statements
These statements summarize the hundreds of comments made by community members when asked to share their hopes, dreams, and aspirations for Winchendon.
Local Matters
Winchendon residents work towards a vibrant local economy that supports small businesses, provides employment, meets residents’ essential needs, and contributes to the town’s tax base.
People Matter
We value the potential for a small-town feel where all residents can know, connect, and treat one another with kindness. We embrace our different backgrounds, identities, and perspectives, and work together through our local traditions, events, and time-honored institutions to ensure that Winchendon is a viable and good home for all.
YOUth Matters
We strive to provide safe, healthy environments throughout Winchendon where our youth feel welcomed, heard, and valued for who they are.
We work together to ensure our youth have access to activities, a quality and responsive education, integrated civic engagement, and leadership opportunities.
Town Pride Matters
Winchendon residents value living in and contributing to a town that is well cared for. We are striving to provide safe, well-maintained roads, bike paths, parks, community spaces, neighborhoods, continued beautification of the downtown area, and the preservation of historic places.
People appreciate the many town-wide events and support working towards providing an effective local communication system.
Nature Matters
We cherish the quiet beauty of Winchendon’s natural environment and all that it contributes to our lives, our health, and our sense of peace and well-being.
Where did our input come from?
"Discover the Heart and Soul of Our Town! At the core of every community lies a unique heartbeat, a special essence that draws people in and makes them proud to call it home. That's exactly what we've been exploring in our Community Heart and Soul Effort here in Winchendon.
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We've reached out to hundreds of our townsfolk, engaging in meaningful conversations to understand what makes our town special to them. We've listened closely, gathering a wealth of feedback about the joys of living in Winchendon and areas where we can grow and improve.
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The insights we've collected aren't just opinions; they're the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of our community members, painting a vivid picture of our shared vision for Winchendon's future.
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Scroll down to see the key areas that matter most to our residents. These categories emerged as the top priorities in our survey, highlighting what's truly important to the people of our town. Join us in celebrating these insights and shaping a brighter future for Winchendon!"
Below is the results of the survey based on the demographic make up of Winchendon.
