Out and About: A Simple, Powerful Way to Build Community

In a world where people are feeling increasingly isolated, Out and About offers a refreshingly simple idea with powerful potential: get out of your house, sit in your front yard, and invite neighbors to stop and chat.

Founded by Matt Evans on the belief that the best way to build trust and connection is through proximity and consistency, Out and About encourages people to be present where they live. The idea isn’t about hosting a grand neighborhood party or creating a new committee—it’s about showing up with a chair, a drink, and a little intentionality.

At its core, Out and About is about being seen and approachable. When you’re sitting out front—even just a couple of times a month—you open the door for spontaneous conversations, friendly waves, and slowly, over time, meaningful relationships. Whether you’re on a porch, driveway, stoop, or sidewalk, the magic happens when neighbors see you regularly and feel safe enough to say hello.

Instead of developing a high-tech solution for connection, the creators of Out and About leaned into something timeless and human: physical presence. They simply asked, What if more people were visible and welcoming in their neighborhoods? What started as an experiment in community engagement is now a growing movement—with people across the country committing to show up and sit outside in their neighborhoods on the first Sunday of each month, or whatever rhythm works best for them.

The beauty of Out and About lies in its adaptability. Anyone can do it. There’s no need to clean your house, plan a menu, or send out invitations. You don’t even have to talk to anyone—though you probably will. All you have to do is be outside, visible, and open to connection. Add a sign, a snack, or a few extra chairs, and you might be surprised who stops by.

What makes this simple practice so powerful is that it aligns with what sociologists and public health experts already know: that small, repeated interactions in shared spaces build social capital. It’s not just big events that bring communities together—it’s those little “weak ties” formed through everyday hellos, neighborly nods, and shared laughter over a toddler’s sidewalk chalk masterpiece. These small moments add up, helping people feel safer, more connected, and less alone.

Moreover, Out and About doesn’t just benefit those looking for connection. It helps bridge generational and cultural gaps. When someone in their 70s chats with a teenager walking their dog, or a new family gets to know a longtime resident, it creates an opportunity to build empathy, share stories, and see each other as human beings rather than strangers. It fosters the kind of belonging that can’t be bought, only built.

In a time when civic trust is low and people are more likely to scroll than stroll, Out and About invites us to rethink how we engage in community life. It reminds us that change doesn’t always require a program or policy. Sometimes, it starts with a chair in the front yard and a willingness to wave.

So the next time the weather’s nice and your schedule is open, consider joining the Out and About movement. Drag a chair out front. Bring a lemonade. Say hi to whoever walks by. You might not fix the world in one afternoon—but you just might make your corner of it a little warmer, a little kinder, and a lot more connected.

To learn more, to mark you driveway on the map, or for other ways to join the movement, visit www.outabout.org.

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 emal at dburton541@yahoo.com.