City of Meadville

My Meadville is a community-based initiative that helped the City of Meadville in Crawford County devise a plan for the city’s future.  My Meadville used the Orton Community Heat & Soul process grounded in storytelling, discussion of shared values, and collaboration towards positive change.  Over two years, My Meadville organized potlucks, staged story-collecting booths and story circles, and did surveys and interviews, amassing 1,400 data points leading to eight community value statements with achievable actions for the city.  The process also developed partnerships with community institutions and businesses.  My Meadville’s work helped spur a city zoning ordinance update, including urban ag provisions, a façade improvement program, entrepreneur program, and a human service “neighborhood hub.” (More information in resource library)