Get to Know the Neighboring Movement

 


The Neighboring Movement out of Wichita, KS is nurturing a culture-changing movement by discovering, connecting, and mobilizing the gifts of neighbors. Through simple tools and practices you can try on your block, you can help us change a culture of scarcity into a culture of neighboring; defined by joy, relationship, and abundance. 

The organization tends to focus more on individuals and church congregations at this point rather than municipalities as a whole. Some things are in the works, and they are rolling out a new theory of change in Wichita that we then hope other cities can pick up.

This summer, The Neighboring Movement is rolling out We Care ICT, the latest piece of a theory of change starting in Wichita, but replicable in municipalities around the country. 

"We are giving out hundreds of free "We Care" yard and door signs to Wichita neighbors who want to make caring visible in their neighborhoods. Those signs will serve as beacons across the city, highlighting homes where anyone who wants to dive deep into relationships with their neighbors can find an ally in the work," said Ian Campbell.

"We host training throughout the year where we give away signs and train residents on our 8 Front Door Challenge, where they will find an ally, meet their 8 closest neighbors, plan a simple get-together with those neighbors, and host that gathering in a way that promotes a culture of neighboring," said Campbell.

The group aims to have 100 block connectors across Wichita host gatherings around National Good Neighbor Day, and we will then recruit many of those connectors into multiple pathways (including paid opportunities) for even more immersive, intentional, and culture-changing work on their blocks or in their buildings. 

You can start the 8 Front Door Challenge by going to the Neighboring Movement website. If you are interested in exploring a similar path for your city, you can reach out to us through our website!


MORE INFORMATION

Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.

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