If you live in a subdivision with a Homeowners Association (HOA), chances are you’ve heard something like this: “Your grass is too tall,” “Your trash can was visible,” or “Your mailbox paint is fading.” HOAs are known for enforcing neighborhood rules—and sometimes doing it with too much force and too little compassion.  But what if HOAs focused more on building social connections and less on writing warnings? What if they worked to bring neighbors together rather than drive wedges between them? In this essay, we’ll explore why HOAs would better serve their residents if they prioritized community building over strict enforcement. We’ll also look at the difference between HOAs and Neighborhood Associations, and how a shift in focus could help people feel more connected, respected, and supported—especially in places like Springfield and Republic, Missouri. HOA vs. Neighborhood Association: What’s the Difference? First, let’s clear up a common confusion. Many people think an HOA and a ...

  A colleague recently asked me whether community development needs “civic therapists.” At first, it sounds like consultant-speak gone too far. But the more I sit with it, the more it feels exactly right. Because many struggling towns aren’t held back by zoning codes, grant formulas, or business attraction strategies. They’re held back by something quieter and much more personal: chronic apathy and low civic self-esteem. Communities behave just like the people who comprise them. When residents carry confidence, places feel vibrant and possible. When residents feel disconnected, discouraged, or invisible, that mood spills into the streetscape. And after decades of disinvestment—whether economic, social, or emotional—many communities have people who simply don’t feel great about where they live. That’s not a technical problem. It’s an emotional one. This is why big, shiny investments often fall flat. A new park, a redevelopment project, or a splashy grant announcement can look impres...

In the quiet neighborhood of Maple Hollow, the residents lived in parallel lives—friendly enough to wave or exchange small talk but rarely venturing deeper. This changed when Rosa Alvarez, a teacher with a knack for bringing people together, decided to apply the principle of learning her neighbors' gifts and talents. It started one Saturday when Rosa noticed Mr. Patel struggling with his lawn mower. She offered help and soon learned he was a retired engineer who loved tinkering with machines. That same week, she struck up a conversation with her next-door neighbor, Lily Chen, a passionate gardener whose backyard overflowed with vibrant vegetables and flowers. Across the street, Jamal, a college student, shared that he had a talent for organizing events and often helped coordinate campus fundraisers. Rosa saw an opportunity to unite her community. She hosted a "Talents and Trades Meet-Up" in her front yard, inviting neighbors to share their skills and needs. Over cookies a...

Too often, placemaking sounds like something reserved for city planners or expensive downtown projects. It brings to mind consultants, architects, and budgets that most neighborhoods could never dream of. But real placemaking—the kind that builds connection and pride where you live—doesn’t require any of that. In fact, you can do a lot for under $100. The best placemaking doesn’t begin with money. It begins with neighbors. 1. Make It Look Alive You don’t need a big event to make your street feel vibrant. A few small touches can send a big message: people care about this place. Decorate windows, fences, or porches with simple seasonal displays. Hang paper snowflakes, paint flowerpots, or invite neighborhood kids to create cheerful chalk art on the sidewalks. You could even organize a “window gallery” where neighbors display art, photos, or collections in front windows for others to enjoy during evening walks. These simple gestures transform ordinary spaces into signs of life and f...

  The media plays a powerful role in shaping how we think about our neighbors—and often, it works against genuine connection.  News outlets, social media, and entertainment tend to emphasize conflict, danger, and difference. Turn on the evening news and you’ll likely see stories about crime, scams, or disputes between neighbors, rarely about people who shovel each other’s driveways or share meals across fences.  Over time, this steady stream of negativity feeds fear and mistrust. It can make us see strangers on our street as potential threats instead of potential friends. When our mental picture of “neighbor” is filtered through sensational headlines, we begin to equate safety with distance and privacy with peace. Social media adds another layer of distortion. Instead of walking next door to chat, people often connect online through neighborhood apps or Facebook groups, where tone and trust can easily be misunderstood.  A post about a “suspicious person” can spiral i...

  In the small town of Hume, Missouri, neighbors know they can count on Jeff Fillpot . Whether he’s stocking shelves at the local food pantry, tending the school greenhouse, supporting families through church outreach, or simply taking time to listen, Jeff shows up—quietly, consistently, and wholeheartedly. His commitment to serving others has made him one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , a recognition presented during Missouri Good Neighbor Week. Jeff’s desire to connect with his community began with inspiration from others. “I have been inspired by the helping hands of others constantly supporting one another,” he said. “I wanted to be a part of it and meld with the community.”  He soon became a leader at the town’s volunteer-run food pantry, an essential service that now gives a helping hand to more than 230 families each month , including many during the holidays. Jeff travels weekly to help the stock the pantry and pickup supplies. The pantry’s impact...

  In a small Missouri town where neighbors still wave from porches and look out for one another, Xintong Li has become a steady source of kindness, reliability, and quiet leadership. Though naturally introverted, he has embraced a style of neighboring built on simple gestures, practical help, and a genuine desire to make life a little easier for the people around him. For these efforts, Xintong has been named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of the statewide celebration of kindness and connection known as Missouri Good Neighbor Week . Simple Beginnings, Lasting Impact For Xintong, neighboring began naturally. “I live near several elderly neighbors, and they are all very kind people,” he said. “In a small town it just feels normal to want to look out for one another and help where you can.”  Over the past four years, those small acts of care have grown into strong relationships. “Being more engaged has helped turn this place from ‘where I live’ in...

Thanksgiving may get the headlines, but the night before might just hold the real secret to belonging. According to author Amy Lively, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of America’s top five days for pizza deliveries. Families are traveling, kitchens are busy, and people everywhere are taking the night off from cooking. So why not turn that moment into something meaningful? This year, instead of quietly grabbing your pizza and retreating inside, call it what it could be: Friendsgiving. Invite a neighbor to join you. Share a meal—simple or elaborate—and turn an ordinary evening into something extraordinary. Friendsgiving doesn’t need to mimic the traditional Thanksgiving spread. It can be as casual as a stack of paper plates or as formal as your grandmother’s china. Millennials popularized it because it’s low-key, low-pressure, and refreshingly free of the travel logistics and family tensions that often accompany the holiday season. But at its core, Friendsgiving is for everyo...

  In downtown Excelsior Springs, Missouri, it’s hard to walk a block without finding a burst of sidewalk color, a cheerful greeting written in chalk, or a neighbor smiling because of one man’s creativity. That man is Robbie Farabee —an artist, performer, encourager, and beloved downtown presence whose simple acts of expression have woven joy, connection, and community spirit throughout the city. For his remarkable contributions to community life, Robbie has been named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week , a statewide initiative led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project . His nomination reads like a love letter from an entire town—one that credits him with helping shape the identity, vibrancy, and heart of the downtown neighborhood. Neighboring Begins With a Walk and a Box of Chalk Robbie’s story of neighboring began years ago when he moved downtown in 2019. “It started with knowing my n...

  When Blaine mayor Mary Lou Steward proclaimed September 28 as Good Neighbor Day, it wasn’t just a feel-good gesture. It was a public recognition of something researchers at Washington State University (WSU) are making increasingly clear: healthy communities start with healthy neighboring. The push for Good Neighbor Day originated from work being done at WSU Whatcom County Extension’s Community Health Oriented Resilience Data Science (CHORDS) lab, where rural health specialists are examining the overlooked but powerful link between social connection and long-term health. Their research—and the community effort growing around it—offers valuable lessons for communities everywhere. 1. The Big Argument: Neighboring Is a Public Health Strategy Assistant professor and rural health promotion specialist Shawna Beese , whose background blends nursing, prevention science, and neighborhood research, makes a compelling case:  Chronic disease is often rooted not only in biology, but in ...

In a quiet Columbia cul-de-sac where children ride bikes, neighbors wave from porches, and friendships are built on small acts of kindness, Paul and Cathy Wegner have become the steady heartbeat of their community. Warm, attentive, and always willing to help, the Wegners have turned their street into the kind of neighborhood people dream about — one where you feel seen, supported, and safe. For their everyday acts of connection and care, Paul and Cathy have been named two of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week , a statewide initiative led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project . The award recognizes Missourians whose simple but powerful actions strengthen the social fabric of the places they call home. A Natural Fit From the Start For Paul and Cathy, neighboring wasn’t a strategy — it was instinctive. “One of the reasons we chose this house was that the neighborhood seemed friendly,” they said. “Chil...