What does it look like to build a more connected state? Not through massive programs or one-time events. But through thousands of small, consistent acts. That is what the final 2025 Missouri Good Neighbor Week “acts of neighboring” database report reveals. Across the state, people took time to care for one another in ways that often go unnoticed. They mowed a neighbor’s yard. They brought in trash bins. They shared food when it was needed most. They checked in, sat on porches, and had conversations that turned strangers into neighbors. Individually, these actions may seem small (although we recorded over 42,000 of them). Collectively, they tell a different story. They show us what neighboring actually looks like in real life. The most common acts were practical. Helping with everyday needs. Taking care of spaces. Showing up in quiet, consistent ways. These are the kinds of actions that don’t require planning or permission. They simply require awareness and willingness. ...

  In photo (left to right): David Burton, Ashley Marks, Commissioner Brad Jackson.  The following is the text of the presentation to Christian County Commissioners at the County Courthouse in Ozark on Thursday, April 2, 2026. What if the most powerful way to change a community wasn’t a new program, a new building, or a new policy but simply knowing the people who live nearest you? That’s the idea behind Missouri Good Neighbor Week—a statewide movement that takes place each year from September 28 through October 4, anchored by National Good Neighbor Day. But this year, there’s a new theme that changes everything: “A Year of Neighboring. A Week to Celebrate It.” Because this isn’t just about one week. It’s about building a culture. And it’s working. We are accepting reports of neighboring and nominations right now and will use Good Neighbor Week to celebrate success stories and announce the various winners. In 2025 alone, Missourians reported more than 42,000 acts of neighboring...

What if building strong neighborhoods wasn’t about big plans—but about small, consistent investments in people and place? A small city in Ohio is showing what that can look like. Through 17STRONG, Hamilton has quietly built one of the most practical and replicable models for neighborhood vitality in the country. What began in 2012 as a “Sense of Place” effort—bringing together residents, City Council, and city staff—has grown into a citizen-led initiative with an independent board, supported by local foundations and everyday residents. What makes this model so compelling isn’t a single program. It’s the system. And for communities working to strengthen neighboring, there is a great deal here worth learning. Start With Identity: Define the Neighborhood One of the most important moves Hamilton made was simple: they named and embraced their neighborhoods. Hamilton recognizes 17 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own identity, history, and character. That may not sound revolutionary, bu...

  When people hear the phrase “theory of change,” they often picture a complicated diagram—boxes, arrows, and technical language used by researchers and nonprofits. But sometimes, the most powerful theories of change don’t look complicated at all. They look like a wave across the street. A shared meal. A simple act of care. That’s exactly what we see in the mission and vision of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. What may appear at first glance to be a set of inspiring statements is actually something much deeper. It is a clear and compelling explanation of how change happens in communities . A Simple Idea With a Powerful Assumption At the heart of Missouri Good Neighbor Week is a simple belief: Small, intentional acts of neighboring—when repeated and shared—can transform the culture of a community. That statement alone contains the core of a theory of change. It assumes that: change doesn’t begin with large systems, it begins with people and relationships a nd it grows through consiste...

  In a time when everything feels like it’s pushing toward extremes—louder voices, sharper divides, bigger reactions—we often assume that meaningful change must come through bold, sweeping action. But what if the most powerful neighbors are not the loudest ones?  What if they are the "trimmers"? The idea of a “trimmer” comes from leadership and decision-making theory. A trimmer is someone who doesn’t overcorrect or blow things up. Instead, they make small, steady adjustments—shifting weight, recalibrating direction, and helping systems move toward balance over time. David Brook's wrote about this idea for the Atlantic that  article  inspired this blog. That idea has profound implications for how neighboring cultures are actually built. Neighboring Is Not Revolution—It’s Reform One of the most important insights from the article is the distinction between innovation and reform. Innovation seeks to rebuild everything from the ground up, often starting fresh and aiming ...

A University of Missouri Extension guidesheet is a short, practical educational publication designed to provide clear, research-based information on a specific topic for the public. MU Extension produces hundreds of these guidesheets as part of its mission to translate university research into useful, everyday knowledge for Missourians . These guides are always research-based, concise and practical, educational and not promotional and easy to access.  The State of Neighboring In Missouri (2022-2024)   This guide explores the evolving dynamics of neighboring within Missouri communities. Drawing on survey data, the findings shed light on the challenges and opportunities for fostering stronger neighborhood connections in a rapidly changing cultural landscape. This guide provides actionable recommendations to help communities rebuild trust, engagement, and resilience. To the Rescue: Benefits of Neighboring for Emergency Management and Disaster Response Neighboring plays a crucia...

  In 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday. Across the country, cities and states are planning events, festivals, and commemorations to mark the moment. But one city is offering a powerful reminder that the most meaningful celebrations may not happen on a stage or in a stadium. They may happen on your street. In Philadelphia, leaders have announced an ambitious idea: host 250 block parties across the city to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Instead of concentrating the celebration in one downtown event, they are spreading it across neighborhoods—inviting residents to gather with the people who live closest to them. It’s a simple idea. But it carries a profound lesson. Because at its core, America was never meant to be just a place we celebrate. It was meant to be a people we belong to. The Power of Taking Celebration to the Street Too often, we think of civic life as something that happens somewhere else—at city hall, at major events, or on national stages. ...