We Are Neighbors

  Most of what I know about being a good neighbor, I learned not in a quiet suburban neighborhood or bustling city street but in the lively, unpredictable halls of my college dorm.  That first year of dorm living was a crash course in coexisting with others, learning to balance independence with community, and understanding the small but powerful ways we can support those around us.  I also learned to sleep lightly in case of pranks! But all-in-all, l ooking back, the lessons from those years still shape the way I engage with my neighborhood today. So when I consider that I learned in college everything I need to know to be an engaged neighbor, and write down those ideas, this is a few of the items on my list. 1. Say Hello—It Matters In the dorms, a friendly “Hey” in the hallway made all the difference. That simple gesture turned strangers into familiar faces and familiar faces into friends. The same applies to our neighborhoods. A wave, a smile, or a quick greeting can c...

Photo: keynote speaker John Drake Robinson signs a book for a summit attendee. This year’s Neighborhood Leadership Summit brought together 73 neighborhood leaders from Springfield and Greene County to learn, share, and grow. Hosted by Community Partnership of the Ozarks, University of Missouri Extension, and the City of Springfield, the event gave leaders new tools to make a difference in their neighborhoods. The keynote speaker, John Drake Robinson, an Emmy Award-winning author, inspired attendees with stories from his journey across every road in Missouri. His appearance was sponsored by MU Extension and its Engaged Neighbor program. Called the “King of the Road” by Missouri Life Magazine, Robinson lives in Columbia, Missouri when he isn't sleeping in his car. His articles are regularly featured in a half dozen magazines. “I have traveled every single mile of road in Missouri and seen the out of the way places, and the out of the way people too,” said Robinson. “This state ...

  Photo: Andrew and his family serving with NeighborLink In a world where people are becoming increasingly isolated, organizations like NeighborLink are stepping up to connect individuals and strengthen communities. Founded on the belief that neighbors should care for one another, NeighborLink provides a platform that links volunteers with those in need of home repairs, maintenance, and basic necessities. Andrew Hoffman, the executive director of NeighborLink for 13 years (until 2021), was instrumental in shaping this initiative and making it a vital resource for many communities. In 2025, he returned as the interim director. But in September 30, 2020, Andrew jumped on Zoom for an interview with David Burton for the third session of Neighboring 101. This article is written based on the content of that interview. The Origins of NeighborLink NeighborLink started in the mid-1990s with a simple yet impactful idea: churches and volunteers could fill the gaps left by social servi...

In today’s fast-paced world, many people are choosing to live in ways that separate them from others. Ann Meyer, co-creator of the website “The Neighboring Life,” calls this trend “intentional isolation.” Meyer believes that many Americans are deliberately cutting themselves off from their communities. While this might seem like a choice made for convenience, it often leads to loneliness and a lack of true connection with others. The rise of modern technologies has made it easier than ever for people to isolate themselves. For example, online shopping allows people to buy what they need without ever having to leave their homes or interact with others. Social media platforms, while seemingly a way to connect, often offer shallow interactions that don’t provide the same depth as face-to-face conversations. (Plus, some fake connections too!)  Similarly, remote work meetings, although practical, reduce the opportunities for casual interactions that can happen in an office setting....