{"id":75220,"date":"2026-05-14T18:18:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T22:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=75220"},"modified":"2026-05-14T18:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T22:18:08","slug":"corfu-carlton-and-batavia-selected-for-small-town-revitalization-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/05\/14\/corfu-carlton-and-batavia-selected-for-small-town-revitalization-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Corfu, Carlton, and Batavia selected for Small Town Revitalization Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Community Heart & Soul\u00ae program brings resident-driven planning to Western New York.
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Press release<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Town of Carlton and Village of Corfu were selected as the first communities in Western
New York to launch Community Heart & Soul\u00ae, a program that helps build stronger, more
connected communities centered around what people love about where they live. Batavia will
follow shortly after, launching later in 2026.
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\u201cMy hope is that the Community Heart & Soul process encourages greater community
involvement in village decision-making and helps restore the pride, character, and sense of
identity that make our little village special,\u201d says Ken Lauer, Corfu resident, Village Trustee, and
owner of Buttercrumbs Bakery.
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When people talk about small rural towns, the story often focuses on what’s been lost: like
anchor employers, bustling main streets, and vital services. But that\u2019s only part of the story.
Every small town also has strengths \u2014 including its people, traditions, quirks, and local legends
\u2014 that residents don\u2019t want to lose as they plan for the future.
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Through a guided, two-year process, Community Heart & Soul will help residents identify the
priorities, places, and traditions that matter most, and work together to turn those shared
values into action. The goal: to engage the entire community in shaping the future of their
town.
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“Most of our members are lifelong residents of Carlton,\u201d says Peter Bartula, one of the
volunteers with Carlton Heart & Soul. \u201cWe want to help our town to achieve the success that
other Heart & Soul Communities have achieved.”
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Developed and field-tested in more than 130 small cities and towns across the country, the
Community Heart & Soul model empowers residents to dream together and access resources to
make things happen. At the end of two years, communities will have identified common
ground, prioritized ideas, and developed a plan for short- and long-term action.
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In 2025, Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Greater
Buffalo invited towns and villages with a population of 25,000 or less in Genesee or Orleans
counties \u2014 areas served by both organizations \u2014 to apply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six communities raised their hand to explore whether Community Heart & Soul was the right fit for their town. A $1,000 mini-grant for community engagement work was offered to communities who were not selected for the initial cohort, to honor residents\u2019 efforts.
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Community Heart & Soul and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Foundation have committed expertise and
funding towards the engagement process. These resources will help pay for marketing,
materials, food, event supplies, coaching, and project coordination.
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Staff members from Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Community Foundation
for Greater Buffalo will serve as \u201ccoaches,\u201d guiding residents through Community Heart &
Soul\u2019s four phases: imagine, connect, plan, and act.
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“Heart & Soul gives residents the support to turn their ideas into action,\u201d says Sara Bukowiec,
Director of Rural Community Impact at Rochester Area Community Foundation. \u201cAnd it gives
funders the opportunity to listen deeply and learn what’s most important to these
communities.”
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A major goal of the initiative is to build relationships between communities and their local
funders, opening the door to funding opportunities during Community Heart & Soul, and in the
future.
\u201cWe are honored to help bring this innovative, resident-driven process to Genesee and Orleans
counties. This opportunity reflects our enduring commitment to strengthen communities across
Western New York as we connect people, ideas and resources to improve lives,\u201d says Cara
Matelliano, Vice President, Community Impact, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
Residents can learn more from Heart & Soul volunteers at these upcoming events:<\/p>\n\n\n\n