We Are Neighbors

About 15 years ago, non-profit and public service providers in Cowlitz County, Washington were trying to figure out why a neighborhood still made the most 911 calls despite great planning and programming in that neighborhood.  The prevailing wisdom was that the neighborhood was dangerous because it was dark outside people’s homes and stayed dark because people liked it that way. It helped conceal criminal activity.  But the coordinator for the service collaborative knew she needed to engage with residents and learn what they thought.  So she went house by house to talk to people. In discussions with community residents, it became clear that residents saw things differently. Some warned her that the neighborhood was dangerous once it got dark.  But others felt it was a simpler issue: it was dark because people couldn’t afford light bulbs outside their homes. The darkness made people feel like they didn’t have control over their safety, leading to negative assumptions ...

  Becoming an engaged neighbor does require you to take action.   Tim Detillis of Florida, owner of the National Good Neighbor Day website, may have said it the best recently during a Zoom meeting he and I were on.   “Different people have different reasons for being a good neighbor. Our whys can be different. Pick the reason that motivates you but ignoring a serious issue impacting our neighborhoods and communities is just an excuse to say that you don't want to do anything about it, which is not a win for anybody,” said DeTillis.   This lack of knowing or even wanting to know our neighbors is at the root of the tearing in our social fabric, which reduces our social capital, negatively impacts our health, weakens our economy, and reduces trust in the government to do things we value.   The good news is that you can make a difference by starting in your own neighborhood. 

  A society is only as strong as its social connectedness, and creating connectedness is not something the government can do for us. But our actions today can create sustainable societal changes and improve your cognitive health. Socially connected communities enjoy better population-level health. They are more prepared for — and resilient in the face of — disaster situations. They also experience greater economic prosperity and reduced levels of crime and violence. If you want to build social connections, start with your immediate neighbors. Learn the neighbors’ names behind the eight closest front doors to you. Then find ways and opportunities to use their names regularly and involve them in your life socially. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently reminded us why this is so important. LONELINESS ADVISORY There is an epidemic of loneliness in the United States. And lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15...

  You may ask, “Why should I even bother getting to know my neighbors?" Different people have different reasons for being a good neighbor. Our "whys" can be different. Pick the reason that motivates you. But ignoring a serious issue impacting our neighborhoods and communities is just an excuse to say that you don't want to do anything about it, which is not a win for anybody.   On Thursday, June 15, I met 60 neighbors at a pop-up meeting in Republic’s Owen Park. The effort was supported by the City of Republic, and some council and staff members were present to engage with attendees. MU Extension provided popcorn and popsicles.   Some neighbors brought lawn chairs and visited with others.   Some stayed on their feet, chasing their children around the playground.   About 15 neighbors put their back into the evening. The Rooting Republic volunteer group planted flowers and shrubs and spread mulch around Owen Park. Kennedy Hollingshad does a fantastic job leading t...

Chatting with your neighbors over the fence used to be one of life's simple pleasures. But millions of Americans now would rather consume gossip at a distance. One study has found that millions love the passive-aggressive exchanges in their social media feeds on Nextdoor and Facebook and read them for entertainment. An adult survey found that 56 percent recall passive-aggressive behaviors in their social media feeds and 34 percent described these exchanges as “pure entertainment.” Millions admitted that they would rather deal with neighbors virtually than in person and prefer to watch arguments unfold online. One in 20 people can’t remember the last time they spoke to a neighbor face-to-face, and less than half said they would stop and chat with them if they ran into a neighbor in the street. It is apparent that we have a disconnect; in many cases, we have forgotten how to foster relationships with our neighbors. It can be difficult to be available for our neighbors. Rese...

  ST LOUIS, Mo. -- Tonnie Gilspie Smith, a volunteer with West End South Community Improvement District in St. Louis, was named to the Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhood Honor Roll during the 48th annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) national conference held in El Paso, Texas, May 24 - 28, 2023. Each Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods nominee is evaluated by the NUSA Board of Directors. There were six nominees this year, but only Smith earned Who’s Who status. NUSA is a non-profit organization created in 1975 to share information and experiences among neighbors and neighborhoods to build stronger communities. This year’s conference had over 625 people from 34 different states in attendance and featured various educational workshops, speakers, tours and networking opportunities, along with an awards program. The Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods award was created to recognize those individuals whose work mirrors the mission of Neighborhoods, USA: to build and strengthen neigh...

  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- David Burton, a community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension, returned from the 48th annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) conference in El Paso, Texas, May 24 – 28, 2023, with the coveted Best Neighborhood Program award. This year's conference had over 625 people from 34 states, Japan and the Bahamas in attendance and featured educational workshops, speakers, tours, networking opportunities, and an awards program. The NUSA awards process began with submitting applications in March. Applications were then scored, and those selected as national finalists were alerted to their status and asked to make a 15-minute presentation at the national conference. A panel of judges at the national conference makes final award decisions and presents awards in 10 different categories. "It was an honor to have my work recognized nationally," said Burton. "Being named Program of the Year certainly places a stamp of approval on Missouri ...

  Would it be awkward for me to say I love Neighborhoods USA? If you don’t know about NUSA, get their conference on your calendar, enter the awards program, and be encouraged! http://NUSA.org I attended my first NUSA conference in Little Rock, Arkansas (2022) and was impressed with the variety of workshops, speakers, presentations, and guest speakers. It was so good that I made plans to attend the 48th annual conference in El Paso, Texas (2023). A NUSA conference focuses on the practical, not the theoretical. Most attendees coming ready to learn new ideas, share information, and apply lessons learned at NUSA. But best of all, every one of the 600+ yearly attendees at this conference are interested in neighboring and their neighborhood. I do not have to try and convince people at this conference that neighboring is community development. I never have to convince someone it is important to be connected in your neighborhood for a sense of belonging.  I never have to convince a NU...