We Are Neighbors

  Missouri Good Neighbor Week is a few months away as I write this article. One of the challenges for that statewide effort is getting participants to tell us their stories. And when it comes to neighboring, getting people to share their stories is a big challenge. Perhaps the best effective method is going door to door and handing out fliers and encouraging people to do so, face to face. The Neighboring Movement in Wichita, Kansas has had some success with this model. And I know in other settings, that door delivery (and possible face to face conversation) works best. For Missouri. Good neighbor Week, every year weeks and months after the event I hear from people about things they did but they never went to the website to record it.  A few years ago I hosted a citywide effort in Republic I had an online link created through asking people to give feedback and share what they did. Even though we reached every house we only had a handful of responses   Honestly, we onl...

Suzenne Boese is a Code Enforcement Liaison in Wichita, Kansas, who works to connect the city with volunteers who can help individuals who have code violations at their homes or on their land. It is a program unique in the United States. "The city wanted to add a code enforcement inspector. My supervisor at the time said, 'That's not really what I want. I want someone who can assist residents with accessing resources to resolve their violations," said Boese. Prior to this program Wichita dealt with violations like many other cities: a violation, followed by the owner being given a deadline to resolve, a court appearance if not resolved and possible penalties. "When you have individuals that could not make repairs on their homes (due to financial, health, or age limitations), we were just adding a stressor to this beyond missing work for court and finding ways to get work done," said Boese. Her supervisor wanted a social worker who could work with these famil...

In Iron and Dent Counties, Privett and Perry completed another successful week of repairs June 2 - 6, 2024. Perry is a pastor at First Baptist Church in Viburnum and created Love Thy Neighbor for ten years. Viburnum has a population of 698 and is 27 miles from somewhere. It is a lead mining community and the local enthusiasm and economy rises and falls with the price of lead. Privett is a school teacher in Salem who coordinates mission efforts at her church. Salem has a population of about 5,000 people.  Despite small populations, the effort to help elderly, veterans, disabled, and financially challenged residents complete needed home projects at no charge to the homeowner has had tremendous community support. "I think the lessons we have learned apply to any context and any sized town," said Perry. "We would never be compared to The Extreme Home Makeover TV show. We were more influenced by World Changers — an organization that brings in groups from all over the country ...

  In the documentary "Join or Die," which focuses on the work of Robert Putman and the importance of social capital in the health and welfare of our communities and nation, the call to "join" in your community is loud and clear. You might want to join a club or volunteer with an organization, or become an active member of a local faith community.  In anticipation of our screening the movie "Join or Die" on Sept. 28 at the public library in Republic, Missouri, I have been researching how and where to "join" in Republic. I've done the initial research but I invite others to add to the list being kept in this Google document . I will be encouraging registration in a club or with a non-profit at the documentary screening. I would like for the list to be as complete as possible. If you cannot access the file, just email me with clubs or non-profits in Republic to add. CLUBS TO JOIN / NON-PROFITS TO SERVE Kiwanis Club of Republic - Meets at Arris...

  In the heart of Colorado Springs, a bold initiative has taken root: the ambitious goal to host 1000 block parties across the city between May 1 and Sept. 28, 2024.  This initiative isn't just about throwing parties; it's a concerted effort to strengthen community bonds, foster neighborhood camaraderie, and promote unity among residents. I recently visited Colorado Springs for 10 days and witnessed firsthand the transformative power of these gatherings and their potential for that city. The people behind the effort -- individuals like Mayor Yemi Mobalade, Thomas Thompson and Dave Runyon -- have a desire to see loving your neighbor become a citywide value. But here in 2024, mental health concerns are driving the neighboring effort.  “It’s one of my priorities to raise awareness about the importance of mental health while providing concrete action and resources for community members,” said Mayor Yemi . " The opportunity I see around neighborhood engagement comes from my ow...

  I went back to my hometown on July 20, 2024, for the 40th anniversary of my high school class. There were 51 graduates from Ash Grove High School in 1984. It was great seeing 22 classmates, telling stories, and catching up and enjoying a nice meal together. (Class photo taken at reunion is above). The step back in time also reminded me of the opportunities I had, and the opportunities that still exist there, in the small town of Ash Grove. I grew up in Ash Grove from the mid-1960s to the 1990s. I then managed a newspaper in Willard during the early 1990s. I have lived in Republic since 2002. I can confirm that these towns have changed a lot during my lifetime! “You Can’t Go Home Again” is a book written by Thomas Wolfe. In it, he tells the story of an author who returns home only to discover that the town residents are mad at him because they see themselves in some of his stories. Then he writes this famous line: “Back home to time and memory which cannot be recaptured.” No matt...

  Once every five weeks I take our family dog Otis to the Mutt Hutt in Republic for his grooming. Otis always comes back looking great, smelling better, and in a good mood after playing with the other dogs. Dog grooming can be rather expensive,   but   I’m told   that the clients don’t always sit still. And there is also barking involved,   and   client snacks   and an occasional potty   clean up when the clients get to playing too hard! If I post a photo of Otis and his new haircut, friends far and wide comment on how cute he looks. At   home after a grooming,  family members make a fuss over Otis telling him he looks great. Now contrast this to my   own   experience after a visit to get my haircut in Republic. Every five weeks, I sit patiently in the chair , I   never make a mess,   and   my barber never has to give me   treats! But,   I do leave happy. Ironically, when I post pictures of myself ...