We Are Neighbors

  During Missouri Good Neighbor Week 2024, over 120 individuals were nominated as Missouri's Most Engaged Neighbor, and 22 were selected for individual recognition. Our Missouri celebration also got national attention from NextDoor, the social media company, whose leadership team worked with us to create a post that went out nationwide on NextDoor on Sept. 27.  You can access it here . At that point, another 50 nominations poured in from across the state. "The nominations were of really high quality this year," said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. "Every nominee should have received a letter letting them know of the nomination and a memento, a Missouri Good Neighbor Week nominee keychain." The top nominees (22 this year) will receive a check for $100 and an official award certificate. In past years, there have been 50 to 60 nominations. But this year, the window for ...

  The Queen City Mayor's Block Party Challenge is a joint effort by the City of Springfield, KY3, and University of Missouri Extension to support Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept 28-Oct 4).  The challenge in Springfield was inspired by this year's 1,000 block party challenge in Colorado Springs and last year's joint effort to host block parties in five Springfield city parks during Missouri Good Neighbor Week. You can r egister your Springfield block or driveway party , and you might have city dignitaries visit or KY3 might broadcast the weather from your driveway! This challenge is an excellent opportunity to partner with a neighbor to plan and organize a gathering to connect with your neighbors. BENEFITS OF BLOCK PARTIES Block parties are more than social gatherings—they are celebrations of community spirit, culinary prowess, and sometimes friendly competition. They bring together neighbors of all ages and backgrounds, creating bonds that extend beyond property lines a...

This is a running blog to keep track of some of the great activities happening in the state focused on neighboring as part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28-Oct. 4). MAKE YOUR OWN IMPACT You should check out the website for Missouri Good Neighbor Week  to report your own activity or make a nomination . In addition, this blog is a collection of interesting examples of efforts from around the state with updated reports about the week! Plan and report your own event and be entered in our drawing for prizes. We will also showcase a few of the fantastic efforts across our state. PROCLAMATIONS Several Missouri cities have made their own proclamations about Missouri Good Neighbor Week. They all have something in common: encouraging their towns to participate in the week! The locations where the city council or Mayor has made a good neighbor proclamation to date include: Ozark Excelsior Springs Butler Manchester Cassville Lee's Summit Cassville Sikeston Poplar Bluff Clarksville Mobe...

  Americans are a consumer culture. So when it comes to neighboring, people ask: "what is in it for me?" For some, it is the idea of improved health. Many studies demonstrate the importance of social interaction and its positive impacts on health. Robert Putman says joining one club reduces or chance of dying by 50 percent. For some, their motivation is that they are tired of being lonely and isolated. We have a growing epidemic of loneliness in this nation, and the answers may be right next door! Interaction with people, face to face, at club meetings. Other people embrace this idea because they understand that they can positively impact their neighborhood, which can then impact their community. Starting ultra-local is much more effective. Subdivisions where neighboring is done well see lower crime rates, improved resale values and help for neighbors that need it. I think neighborhoods can take the place of clubs in many areas, at least in terms of building social capital. A...

  The Greene County Extension Council is doing a coat drive for Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28-Oct. 4) and you can participate! Here are the details. 1. Who does this benefit? Coats will be given to International Institute of Southwest Missouri (IISW) for the new residents of Springfield that they work with who arrive without winter clothing. The International Institute  (IISW) provides opportunities for immigrants and refugees to thrive in order to create a welcoming, prosperous, and healthy region for all. 2.  Do you have a goal? Our goal is to collect 50 quality coats for use by IISW. 3. What coat sizes and types are needed? IISW works with families that tend to wear adult Small and adult Medium coats. Children’s coats of all sizes are needed. Please donate items that you would feel comfortable using. 4. Where and when can I drop off coats? Drop off coats at the Greene County Extension Center (inside the Botanical Center) from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 (which is Missou...

  Did you see the announcement at the Springfield Cardinals baseball game on Thursday, Sept. 5? The City of Springfield, KY3 and MU Extension are supporting Missouri Good Neighbor Week with the Queen City Mayor's Block Party Challenge. This is the first time for the challenge, which was inspired by the 1,000 Block Party Challenge this summer and fall in Colorado Springs! I visited a few of those block parties this summer and they were great fun. I wrote about the experience here . But for the Queen City Mayor's Challenge, be watching KY3 for the PSAs and visit this webpage for more information and the link where you can register your block party . The PSA for this challenge can be watched online here . Thanks to Daniel Posey, it is funny! Register your Springfield block party and you might have dignitaries visit or KY3 might broadcast the weather from your driveway! Why should you host a block party ? Hosting a block party for your neighbors can be a wonderful way to foster a...

  There are several unique examples across the United States of city-driving neighborhood engagement efforts and events are worthy of mentioning here. This list was first developed for a presentation to the Michigan Municipal League in 2024. Learn more by reading the blog related to the activity of each mentioned city. 1. Peoria, Arizona Goes Outside City Hall for Resident Engagement.  Read here my interview and story with leaders there about neighborhood engagement meetings. 2. Colorado Springs - 1,000 block parties and counting . Read here by detail of the block parties happening in 2024 in The Springs. It is a community wide effort with city support designed to help neighbors make connections and reduce loneliness. You might also enjoy this video interview with Thomas Thompson, who is leading the 1,000 block party effort in Colorado Springs. 3.  Midland, Michigan Leads the Way With Neighboring.  Dave Runyon, author of "The Art of Neighboring," told me about Mid...