At a glance, the Aug. 4, 2025, meeting of the Hopkins City Council looked like business as usual for a small Missouri town. But under the surface, it was filled with the kind of neighbor-to-neighbor tension that makes local governance both essential and difficult. In a twist dripping with irony, the council concluded the meeting by voting not to participate in Missouri Good Neighbor Week—after spending most of their time dealing with… neighbor issues. It’s hard to ignore the contradiction. Consider the concerns raised: One resident complained about a neighbor’s overgrown lawn, prompting the city to dust off its nuisance ordinance and send a warning letter. Another resident worried about a neighbor’s newly built privacy fence that obstructs their view of traffic—a legitimate safety issue.  A more pressing concern was about a homeless man sleeping in the park and people allegedly smoking marijuana there—complex issues that again land squarely in the realm of public space, community r...

Clay County Senior Services, in partnership with the City of Excelsior Springs, has developed a creative way to celebrate Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 4, 2025) . The initiative highlights the value of building intergenerational connections while encouraging simple, thoughtful acts of kindness toward older adults in the community. How the Program Works The program invites residents to choose a senior neighbor and perform a kind gesture to brighten their day. Participants can select from a list of suggested activities, such as: Taking out the trash Helping with yard work Bringing in mail Running an errand Assisting with technology Making a cheerful card Offering a ride Doing a small home repair Baking cookies or Inviting a neighbor over for coffee After completing the task, residents fill out a simple Good Neighbor Week registration form describing the act of kindness and a little about the neighbor they helped. Completed forms can be turned in at the Wellness Café insi...

Feed the Need Volunteers: Manchester residents packaged meals during the “Feed the Need” event, showing that service projects strengthen community bonds while helping those in need. The City of Manchester has steadily cultivated a “neighboring culture” in recent years, and now that spirit is visible across a range of programs leading into Missouri Good Neighbor Week.  What began in 2021 when Alderwoman Megan Huether first explored the idea of neighboring has grown into a movement that is shaping civic life. “As a newly elected city council member, I was looking for ways to connect people and strengthen neighborhoods,” Huether recalled. “When I discovered the concept of neighboring, it clicked immediately—this was the path to building belonging in Manchester.” That spark has grown into something much larger.  “Over the past 18 months, we’ve launched and expanded several initiatives and events, many of which tie directly to Good Neighbor Week’s mission,” said Lisa Wigger, Commun...

  For much of human history, relationships were shaped by proximity. Neighbors were not just people who lived nearby—they were allies, trading partners, babysitters, emergency helpers, and lifelong friends.  In today’s world, however, relationships based on proximity have steadily been replaced by those based on affinity. We now form friendships primarily through hobbies, professional networks, or online communities of shared interests.  While affinity-based connections can be meaningful, this shift comes with a serious cost: we are neglecting those who live next door. One of the primary problems with this trend is the loss of local trust and mutual support. In the past, neighbors often looked out for one another, whether by sharing tools, watching children, or checking in during crises.  When relationships are chosen solely through affinity, neighbors become strangers. This weakens the “social safety net” closest to home, leaving individuals more vulnerable during ...

  On September 18, 2025, attendees of the Neighboring 101 session  Open Streets Boise: A Model for Collaborative Placemaking and Community Engagement will explore how communities can transform public spaces into thriving, people-centered experiences. Led by Nicole Carr, Program Manager with Energize Our Neighborhoods, this presentation offers a practical roadmap for hosting successful Open Streets events. Participants will gain insights into building strong partnerships, coordinating logistics, and designing events that foster connection, health, and belonging. By removing cars and opening streets to people, Open Streets initiatives create opportunities for walking, biking, gathering, and celebrating local culture. Carr will share tested strategies for engaging diverse stakeholders—from city leaders and businesses to neighborhood residents—ensuring that events are inclusive and sustainable. More than just street festivals, Open Streets serve as catalysts for long-term communi...

  The Zoom call opened with a warm flurry of introductions that immediately highlighted the diverse reach of the gathering. Participants logged in from across the United States—and even internationally. Evelyn Blakley greeted the group from Spartanburg, South Carolina, while Janice introduced herself from Brussels, Belgium, where she had just recently relocated. Others chimed in from Issaquah, Washington; Alexandria, Virginia; Marshfield and Ava, Missouri; Columbus, Ohio; Orlando, Florida; New Haven, Missouri; Excelsior Springs; and St. Louis. Abby Harris Holmes joined with a team of five from the Center for HumanKindness in Columbus, Ohio, underscoring the collaborative spirit that was already evident in the chat. The early minutes were filled with friendly exchanges and affirmations. Participants waved to one another, celebrated colleagues, and offered encouragement. Chet Ridenour called out the collaborative spirit of Kristopher Swanson and his team, while others cheered on Ian ...