Engaged Neighboring Lessons from Voices Across America

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Over 250 people from across the United States have taken the Engaged Neighbor Pledge during 2025. Each one was invited to share what that commitment means in practical terms. 

“Their reflections reveal a consistent set of themes, a hopeful vision for stronger neighborhoods, and the first steps many are ready to take,” said David Burton, a community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and creator of the Engaged Neighbor Pledge (accessible at https://engagedneighbor.com).

According to Burton, these voices—ranging from small towns to big cities—show us both the simplicity and the depth of what it means to be an engaged neighbor. 

Here is a summary of what we can learn from this year’s pledge takers.

1. Start with Simple Acts of Connection

Many pledged neighbors emphasized the power of small gestures. Comments included:

• “Saying hello to my neighbors more with the intention of being available to each other.”

• “I’m new to my neighborhood so I plan on introducing myself to my immediate neighbors. I will offer some vegetables from my garden as a way in.”

• “Saying hi to people on walks.”

According to Burton, these simple actions highlight that engagement doesn’t require elaborate programs. It begins with a smile, a name remembered, or an open conversation.

“The foundation of engaged neighboring is relational, not programmatic. Most people start with the basics of kindness and recognition,” said Burton. 

2. Creating Spaces for Belonging

A strong theme was the desire to bring neighbors together in shared spaces. Several mentioned:

• Hosting block parties or neighborhood cookouts.

• “More front yard living.”

• Attending or organizing neighborhood meetings.

• “We will be hosting events for the community, to bring the community closer together.”

• I am going to use the Out & About idea as my method of introduction.

According to Burton, these efforts move beyond casual greetings to intentional community-building. 

“Physical gathering spaces—front yards, sidewalks, community centers—become incubators for belonging and people create opportunities for neighbors to connect naturally,” said Burton.

3. Service and Care for Vulnerable Neighbors

Many respondents focused on serving those in need—especially seniors, widows, or marginalized groups. Examples included:

• “The past few days, my wife and I helped our neighbor, Lenore (who is 86), move from her home to a senior living estate.”

• “I feel very strongly about one principle in the Engaged Neighbor pledge: Include neighbors who are overlooked, marginalized, disabled, widowed or lonely.”

• “Check in on the elderly, be a person for them.”

For these neighbors, engagement means more than friendliness; it’s about practical acts of care and justice.

“Engaged neighbors see needs and respond. Service turns neighborliness into tangible acts of kindness or love. That isn’t something you necessarily program,” said Burton.

4. Healing Divisions and Building Unity

Some participants named the divisions in their communities—especially political ones—and expressed a desire for unity:

• “Our community has had a hard time politically and is divided and I want us all to be closer together. That begins with relationships and building trust.”

• “I plan to follow this advice from the Engaged Neighbor Pledge: Focus on what is strong, not what is wrong.”

• “Just getting to know my neighbor’s story is a step in the right direction.”

According to Burton, these types of commitment reflect the potential of neighboring to bridge divides and foster peace in polarized times.

“Neighboring can serve as a quiet act of peacemaking in a fractured society in one of your areas of greatest influence – right where you live,” said Burton.

5. Long-Term Commitment and Leadership

Finally, several respondents described themselves as already engaged neighbors, seeing this pledge as a way to deepen or extend their practice:

• “Love it! Been engaged for years, and it makes a difference!”

• “Be a continual learner about neighboring.”

• “To build strong neighborhood associations.”

• “I want to implement these ideas in several neighborhoods.”

“These individuals are thinking about sustainability, leadership, and multiplication, showing that engaged neighboring can spread as a cultural movement,” said Burton. “Engaged neighbors aren’t just thinking about today’s actions but about long-term cultural change.”

Patterns and Predictions

Taken together, the reflections suggest that most engaged neighbors will:

1. Begin relationally — through greetings, introductions, and friendliness.

2. Host or attend gatherings — block parties, meetings, and front-yard conversations.

3. Care for the vulnerable — offering help to seniors, widows, or struggling families.

4. Work toward unity — overcoming division by focusing on shared strengths.

5. Grow into leadership — building associations, modeling engagement, and inspiring others.

These steps reflect a grassroots movement of ordinary people choosing to live intentionally with those around them.

Across the United States

The Engaged Neighbor Pledge has attracted participants from 34 different states, reflecting a broad national interest in strengthening community connections. A clear majority of the pledge takers come from Missouri, with 148 individuals calling that state home. This isn’t surprising, given Missouri’s role as the birthplace of Missouri Good Neighbor Week and other neighboring initiatives. Beyond Missouri, the next highest number of participants come from Ohio (16), Michigan (14), Washington (12), and Oregon (11), with smaller clusters across the Carolinas, Tennessee, California, Texas and Utah.

"The wide geographic spread shows that while the movement has a strong base in Missouri, but there is genuine resonance with the idea of engaged neighboring in diverse regions across the country," said Burton. Missouri’s dominant representation also suggests that statewide campaigns and community leadership can dramatically influence participation levels. Meanwhile, the presence of pledgers in 33 other states points to a growing grassroots interest and the potential for neighboring to expand as a national movement.

More Information

“The Engaged Neighbor Pledge is intended to be more than a statement—it’s a spark,” said Burton. "The voices of those who have taken the pledge reveal that being an engaged neighbor isn’t about having the perfect plan. It’s about starting small, showing up consistently, and believing that stronger neighborhoods are built one relationship at a time.”

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 or at https://engagedneighbor.com.

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