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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MU Extension Announces Show Me Neighborhood Art Week June 1-15

Image
  To participate in Show Me Neighborhood Art Week, Missourians  must register here online . The registration deadline for Show Me Neighborhood Art Week is May 24. Preexisting and new public art can be registered, but only new art can be considered for prizes. The location for this event is ALL of Missouri -- your front yard, your neighborhood, and your community. The online state map marking locations around Missouri will be interactive. If you have questions, please see the contact emails at the end of this blog. SPRINGFIELD, MO. -  University of Missouri Extension has announced the launch of a new statewide public art exhibit called Show Me Neighborhood Art Week. This outreach program strives to promote creative expression and public art made by residents, regardless of their skill level, as a contribution to the community's sense of place and residents' sense of belonging. The initiative was inspired by LAWN (Lawn Art With Neighbors), a grassroots program launched in Springf
Read more

Hey Greene County Residents: Register for Neighborhood Leadership Academy 2024

Image
  Greene County & Springfield residents: Time to register for Neighborhood Leadership Academy!  BREAKING NEWS: Scholarship Deadline: August 1 (do this first if you need a full or partial scholarship). NLA Scholarship application link: https://bit.ly/4botrUV   Or apply without a scholarship.  Registration Deadline: August 21 (this is the second step if you are waiting to hear on a scholarship or you can do it now if no scholarship is needed or your employer is paying for your class attendance). Hybrid Class registration link BACKGROUND The Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA)  is a statewide program that draws adult students from across the state. The program has a 40 year history! Locally, there have been Republic, Springfield and Ash Grove area residents in NLA or a similar class in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. In 2024, the class will be:  Wednesday nights, Sept 11 - Nov 13 (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) Enrollment would be in the Southwest Missouri Cohort. People outside of Greene County are w
Read more

12 Missourians Named Most Engaged Neighbors for 2023

Image
  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Twelve Missourians have been chosen for statewide recognition as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” for 2023 as part of the planned activities for Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4). Sixty-two people were nominated for recognition as one of Missouri's most engaged neighbors. Each of them received an acknowledgment letter and gift by mail. “Honestly the plan was to honor ten, but we couldn’t get to that number,” said Jennifer Prophete, coordinator of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. “I thought the nominations this year were great from one to sixty-two.” “We were excited to see two Missouri towns, Seymour and Webster Groves, collect their own nominations and honor engaged neighbors during the week,” said David Burton, a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist. “It would be great to see other cities do something similar next year. We must celebrate and recognize neighborly behavior.” These statewide awards are provi
Read more