Building Stronger Communities: The NeighborLink Approach

 
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 service agencies by providing essential home maintenance and repair services.

“We began by asking social service agencies, ‘What aren’t you getting to?’” Andrew explained. “We quickly realized there were more needs than they could keep up with.”

By 2002, the demand for assistance had grown so much that NeighborLink launched as a 501(c)(3) organization with an online platform to streamline requests and volunteer coordination.

Since then, NeighborLink has helped thousands of people, connecting willing volunteers with neighbors who need help. In 2025, the organization reported that it had collected 40,000 tangible projects from Fort Wayne neighbors since we started in 2003!

How NeighborLink Works

At its core, NeighborLink functions as an online bulletin board where individuals can post requests for help with projects ranging from lawn care and painting to plumbing and roofing. The organization prioritizes helping low-income individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities who want to remain in their homes but struggle with maintenance.

“We collect close to 4,000 requests for assistance each year,” Andrew noted. “Most come from seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families.”

While anyone can post a request, about 80% of requests come through phone calls, and NeighborLink has a dedicated staff member to handle these inquiries. Partner organizations, such as social service agencies, also help submit requests on behalf of their clients.

Empowering Volunteers to Take Action

NeighborLink’s model is built on the belief that community members should take ownership of their neighborhoods. Instead of relying on a centralized team to coordinate every project, volunteers choose the projects they want to take on and connect directly with homeowners to complete the work.

“We work with 150 to 180 different volunteer groups a year,” Andrew shared. “Our role is to support and facilitate their work as much or as little as needed.”

By allowing volunteers to self-select projects, NeighborLink fosters a sense of agency and responsibility within the community. Some groups, such as churches and civic organizations, prefer structured volunteer opportunities, and NeighborLink helps guide them through the process until they feel confident taking on projects independently.

A Relational Approach to Neighboring

While NeighborLink focuses on tangible acts of service, the organization’s larger goal is to cultivate relationships among neighbors.

“At the heart of NeighborLink, we care far more about relationships than we do about projects,” Andrew emphasized. “We recognize that the key to change is creating an awareness of who your neighbors are and what they need.”

By encouraging volunteers to step into their neighborhoods and take action, NeighborLink helps people see their communities differently.

“If you mow someone’s lawn for a few weeks and notice that no one else is tending to their yard, you start to understand that there’s a deeper issue,” Andrew explained. “The hope is that volunteers take that awareness back to their own neighborhoods.”

This mindset shift is crucial to building stronger, more connected communities. NeighborLink encourages people to not only complete service projects but also to engage with their neighbors and foster a culture of mutual support.

Expanding NeighborLink to New Communities

Since its inception, NeighborLink has expanded to 15 cities across the U.S. Each new NeighborLink operates as its own entity, whether as a stand-alone nonprofit or under the umbrella of a like-minded organization. The model remains the same—an online platform that connects volunteers with neighbors in need—but each location tailors its approach to fit the specific needs of its community.

The startup costs for a new NeighborLink chapter are minimal.

“It only takes about $3,500 to license the website and get started,” Andrew said. “From there, it’s about building relationships, finding volunteers, and identifying the greatest needs.”

The Impact on Communities

NeighborLink’s work has had a transformative impact on communities, particularly in places like Fort Wayne, Indiana, where the organization is based.

“Fort Wayne has gone from being seen as a struggling city to being ranked as one of the best places to live and raise a family,” Andrew noted. “I’d like to think NeighborLink has played a role in that cultural shift.”

One of NeighborLink’s key contributions is making neighborhoods safer, cleaner, and friendlier. “If you focus on small improvements—picking up trash, planting flowers, mowing lawns—people take notice,” Andrew said. “And once they see the difference, they want to get involved.”

This philosophy is rooted in the idea that visible, small changes can inspire larger transformations.

 “There are a lot of people sitting on the fence, waiting for something good to start,” Andrew said. “Once they see others making a difference, they’re more likely to join in.”

Lessons in Neighboring

Through years of experience, NeighborLink has learned valuable lessons about what it takes to build strong neighborhoods. One of the most important insights is that change starts with simple, everyday actions.

“Anybody can pick up trash or mow a lawn,” Andrew said. “It doesn’t take a big investment to make a difference.”

NeighborLink has also found that social motivation plays a major role in volunteerism.

“Most people don’t volunteer because they’re passionate about a cause,” Andrew explained. “They do it because someone invited them. That’s why creating social connections around service is so important.”

Another successful initiative is NeighborLink’s homeowner incentive program, which offers small matching grants to encourage homeowners to make improvements to their properties.

“We’ve seen a $3,000 investment turn into $30,000 worth of improvements in some neighborhoods,” Andrew said. “It’s about giving people a little push to take action.”

Lessons in 2025

When he returned to NeighborLink in 2025, Andrew reported said he could see three principle lessons in the work that the organization has been doing.

1.      The Church wants to serve, but it’s hard to get started. “I’m part of a church that longs to meet real needs in our community. But despite great local nonprofits and social services, it's nearly impossible to find 300+ neighbors actively asking for help. NeighborLink changes that,” said Andrew.

2.      NeighborLink makes it easy. “It’s an operational powerhouse. NeighborLink collects the needs. All volunteers, businesses, or civic groups have to do is select one. NeighborLink staff does the heavy lifting so you can show up and serve. Few organizations make impact this accessible,” said Andrew.

3.      Families need flexibility. “We want to serve, but in a way that fits our rhythm, allowing for a relationship with those we serve. NeighborLink offers the flexibility and relational connection we crave,” said Andrew.

The Future of Neighboring

Looking ahead, NeighborLink aims to continue expanding and refining its model to better serve communities. Research and data collection play a key role in this process.

“We’re studying neighborhood stability and identifying what makes a neighborhood healthy,” Andrew said. “The more we understand, the better we can tailor our programs to make a lasting impact.”

NeighborLink’s success proves that small acts of service can lead to significant change. By fostering connections, empowering volunteers, and addressing practical needs, the organization is transforming neighborhoods one project at a time.

“Our goal is to help people become aware of the needs around them and take action,” Andrew said. “If we can do that, we’re making the world a better place—one neighbor at a time.”

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or visit his website at http://engagedneighbor.com.