In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel disconnected. Many of us don’t know the names of our neighbors. We spend a lot of time online or driving in our cars. We wave at people from a distance but rarely stop to talk. Todd Swanstrom, a professor at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and co-author of The Changing American Neighborhood , believes that these simple interactions—called “weak ties”—can actually improve our lives and communities in powerful ways. A New Way of Thinking About Neighborhoods Dr. Swanstrom says that many people still imagine neighborhoods the way they were 50 or 60 years ago. Back then, people sat on front porches, kids played in the street, and neighbors were part of each other’s everyday lives. He grew up in that kind of neighborhood in St. Paul, Minnesota. He remembers knowing everyone on his block and feeling safe and connected. There were block parties, ice skating rinks, and family picnics. But times have changed. Air conditioning keeps people...

  Quilts displayed in the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center 2025. Inside the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center in Springfield, Missouri, several groups share the same space and work together to improve the community. Each group has a different mission, but they often collaborate on projects that benefit everyone. One example is a special art project for Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week 2025. Staff from the different organizations painted large wooden barn quilt blocks—colorful designs based on traditional quilts. These quilt blocks were then displayed together, creating a powerful symbol of teamwork. The theme of the project is “Stronger Together.” Just like a quilt is made up of many different pieces, this project shows how people with different skills and backgrounds can come together to create something meaningful. Each barn quilt represents cooperation, creativity, and the idea that we can do more when we work as a team. The Botanical Center is home to several...

  Missouri neighborhoods will once again become vibrant outdoor galleries during the 2nd Annual Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week , running June 1–15, 2025 . This statewide celebration, organized by the University of Missouri Extension, invites residents to display creative projects outside their homes, schools, businesses, and shared public spaces. Missourians can see a map to registered art in Missouri  online here . Voting for the  People’s Choice Award  opens June 1 and can be done  online here . There is still time between June 1 and June 15  to register your art  to be included on the statewide map. During this Art Week into a time of creativity! “Art is a powerful way to bring people together,” said David Burton , MU Extension community development specialist. “When neighbors create side by side, they build trust, take pride in where they live, and strengthen the bonds that make a community resilient.” Participants were able to register their di...

Being a good neighbor means more than just saying hello or waving as you walk by another home. It means building real relationships with the people around you. The most important part of being a good neighbor is building trust,. However, trust is not something that can happen quickly. It takes time, patience, and small actions that show you care. Trust is like a bridge between people. You don’t build a strong bridge in a single day. It takes many steps to build something that will last. You build trust by being honest, showing up when you say you will, and being kind.  For example, helping your neighbor carry groceries, checking on them during a storm, or even just listening when they need someone to talk to—these small actions matter a lot. Over time, they add up and help build a strong connection. During an emergency, like a flood or a fire, outside groups can bring in food, water, or supplies. These things are very helpful and needed right away. But one thing those groups cannot...

In rural Oklahoma’s one‑room schoolhouses of the early twentieth century, educators and community members practiced an approach to schooling far removed from modern, age‑graded classrooms. Drawing on the testimony of former teachers and students—such as Helen Hussman Morris, who taught in western Oklahoma in the 1930s—the following five lessons emerge, lessons that remain relevant today. 1. Community Matters These schools were the heart of small towns, where teachers knew every child’s name and families pulled together to support the school—whether gathering wood for heat or providing meals. A strong sense of belonging and mutual care defined the educational experience. 2. Helping One Another Was Expected Older students regularly assisted younger ones—explaining a lesson, practicing reading, helping with chores—creating a culture of peer teaching and collaboration. These tasks weren't extras; they were built into how the classroom worked. 3. Hard Work – Tough Love Teachers de...

  In the book "Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives," author Nicholas Christakis, along with co-author James Fowler, explores how our emotions, behaviors, and even health can be influenced by the people to whom we are connected—and even by people they are connected to, often without our awareness.  One of the most striking findings in their research is the idea that the more happy friends you have, the happier you are likely to be.  This conclusion is rooted in the concept of emotional contagion, where emotions spread through social networks like viruses. If someone in your circle is joyful, their happiness can ripple through the network, influencing your mood and well-being. Christakis and Fowler used data from the long-running Framingham Heart Study to map out social networks over time. They found that happiness does not exist in isolation; it is deeply embedded in social networks. Their research showed that if a friend who...

  In "Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives," authors Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler present a compelling argument that we do not meet our spouses purely by chance. Instead, they suggest that the structure of our social networks — the interconnected web of friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances — plays a crucial role in shaping who we meet and eventually form relationships with.  This insight challenges the romanticized notion of “fate” or “random chance” bringing people together and suggests that our social environment is far more influential than we might realize. One of the key points Christakis and Fowler make is that our social networks are not random. They tend to form around shared activities, common locations, mutual friends, and socioeconomic similarities. Because of this, we are more likely to meet potential partners through friends of friends, at workplaces, in community organizations, or in environments w...

  By embracing the "Idea Friendly Method," small towns and neighborhoods are discovering a new, empowering way to spark change—without waiting for permission, funding, or elaborate planning. Developed by Deb Brown and Becky McCray, this method encourages everyday people to take initiative and create momentum for community transformation in simple, organic ways. At its heart, the Idea Friendly Method has three key steps: gather your crowd , build connections , and take small steps . It’s not about committees, formal structures, or gatekeeping. Instead, it begins with whoever shows up and whatever resources are already in hand. A standout example of this philosophy in action comes from a small town in Kansas. There, a single folding table set up on Main Street became the beginning of a citywide tradition. What started as a modest dinner shared among a handful of neighbors grew into an annual potluck that now spans the length of Main Street. People bring food, folding chairs, an...

  Neighborhoods USA (NUSA)   is a national non-profit organization dedicated to building and strengthening neighborhood organizations across the United States. Established in 1975, NUSA provides opportunities for diverse people and organizations to share their ideas, values, and experiences to build stronger communities.  NUSA achieves its mission through various initiatives, including hosting an annual conference that facilitates networking and information-sharing among neighborhood organizations, government entities, and the private sector. These conferences serve as platforms for discussing pressing community issues, sharing best practices, and recognizing outstanding neighborhood initiatives through awards such as the "Neighborhood of the Year."  The organization is governed by a 21-member Board of Directors, elected annually, who oversee its ongoing business, the annual conference and the direction of NUSA.  MY PLATFORM At the 2025 conference in Jacksonvill...

  Photo description: SGF Kickball representatives receive their national award from four members of the Neighborhoods USA Board of Directors. Pictured left to right are  Reba Taylor-Hill of Indianapolis, Indiana, Precious McKesson of Omaha, Nebraska; Michael Brittan, Ed Goeke, Keno Wong of Nassau, Bahamas, and Dwight Pridgeon of Little Rock, Arkansas. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Michael Brittian and Ed Goeke returned to Springfield from the 50th annual conference of Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) in Jacksonville, Florida, May 20-23, 2025, with the coveted Best Neighborhood Program award in the Social Revitalization category. This year's conference had registered 525 attendees from 36 states and featured educational workshops, speakers, tours, networking, and an awards program. The NUSA awards process began with submitting applications in March. Applications were then scored, and those selected as national finalists were alerted and asked to make a 15-minute presentation at the national...