Can one person really make a difference? At a national level, it can feel impossible. But in a neighborhood — one block, one family, one idea at a time — the answer is absolutely yes. In Highland Park, Michigan, a woman known affectionately as “Mama Shu” proved what’s possible when vision meets persistence. Her dream began with a single $3,000 house in a place “littered with dilapidated houses and empty blocks — beaten down, blighted, and forgotten.” “I’m the unlikely urban planner,” she said. “I never went to college for it, but I’m creative. And I saw something beautiful in the making. I thought about what it would look like if we had beautiful, functional things that the city used to have. And so, I just started doing something about that — just a little bit at a time.” She started cleaning up one lot after another — even those she didn’t own. She raised funds however she could, and slowly, others began to take notice. “Once people see you start doing the work, not only do they sta...

  For Reginald Gatlin of Raytown, Missouri, being a good neighbor isn’t just a hobby — it’s a lifelong calling rooted in lessons learned on a gravel road decades ago. Growing up in a small rural town, he understood early what it meant to rely on others and to be reliable in return. Those simple, powerful lessons have shaped a life devoted to helping others, one yard, one errand, and one conversation at a time. For his unwavering dedication and quiet compassion, Reginald has been named one of Missouri’s Top 20 Most Engaged Neighbors of 2025 , part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week , led by University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project . The honor celebrates Missourians whose daily acts of care and connection strengthen community bonds across the state. Learning What It Means to Be a Neighbor “I was first inspired as a child, growing up in a small rural country town,” Reginald said. “I had to walk two and a half miles on a gravel road to get to the bus stop. If...

If you want to understand what life feels like in modern Missouri neighborhoods, the data tell an interesting story. We’re friendly—but distant. Helpful—but busy. Curious—but cautious. The  State of Neighboring in Missouri  surveys conducted by University of Missouri Extension in 2022 and 2024 reveal a culture caught between our desire for connection and our instinct for privacy. It’s a portrait of a state that waves from the driveway but hesitates to walk across the street. We’re Friendly, But We Stop at the Fence The good news is that casual friendliness is alive and well. Two-thirds of Missourians (67%) say they greet their neighbors regularly, up from 59% in 2022. Those quick waves and friendly hellos are small but important signs that people still notice one another. But when it comes to deeper engagement—sharing meals, inviting neighbors into our homes, or planning joint activities—the numbers decline sharply. The surveys show that Missourians are maintaining polite dist...

  When Ashley Meredith Marks moved into a brand-new subdivision in Ozark, Missouri, she realized something was missing. The streets were fresh, the lawns were perfect, and the homes gleamed with new paint — but it didn’t yet feel like a neighborhood. Instead of waiting for connection to happen, Ashley decided to create it herself. That simple decision has transformed her corner of Christian County into one of the warmest, most connected neighborhoods around. For her intentional acts of kindness and community-building, Ashley was 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 to celebrate everyday Missourians who strengthen the places they live. Creating Connection From Scratch “After moving to a new place about a year ago, I was feeling more anonymous and isolated than I wanted to. So I decided I didn’t need to wait for anyon...

  The turn of the 20th century saw Colorado Springs’ Ivywild neighborhood blossom, and at the heart of it stood the Ivywild Elementary School. Built in 1916, this stately brick landmark served generations of students until declining enrollment prompted its closure in 2009. Left vacant, the facility risked becoming yet another relic—until visionaries stepped in with a bold proposition: restore the building not just to preserve its history, but to transform it into a vibrant community nucleus. The Renaissance of a Schoolhouse In March 2012, local entrepreneurs—Joe Coleman of Blue Star Restaurant fame and Mike Bristol of Bristol Brewing Co.—joined forces with architect Jim Fennell, forming a coalition rooted in civic pride, sustainability, and a love for local enterprise. They purchased the 20,000‑square‑foot school and set about retaining its architectural integrity—the grand façade, columns, original brickwork, wood ceilings, handprint murals, even the gym’s wooden floors—while retr...

Jeff Siegler’s observation that “we are all in a civic relationship whether we know it or not” might sound like something your overly enthusiastic town planner would say at a community meeting—right before showing 70 slides of new curb designs.  But behind the earnest urbanist energy is a profound truth: our environments don’t just surround us—they shape us. Think about it. If you live in a charming neighborhood with shady trees, lively sidewalks, and the occasional dog-wearing-sunglasses situation, chances are you feel a little more hopeful, a little more connected. You may even smile at strangers (a dangerous habit in some cities).  Now imagine living in a town where your main social outlet is yelling at potholes and where the skyline is mostly made up of abandoned strip malls and a particularly hostile Arby’s. You’d feel different. You’d be different. Siegler’s point is that civic life isn’t optional. Whether we actively participate or not, our towns are in a relationship w...

Sometimes the simplest ideas can have the greatest impact. That was the case for the Walking Together program , a grassroots initiative in the City of Charles Town designed to strengthen community connections by encouraging neighbors to walk together. As highlighted by Main Street America in its feature, “Walking Together to Connect a Community” (2024), the program has become a shining example of how intentional efforts to bring people together can transform neighborhoods. The project began as a response to the growing sense of isolation and disconnection many residents felt. Community leaders noticed that while the area had parks and sidewalks, people rarely interacted beyond a polite wave. “We realized that creating opportunities for consistent, face-to-face contact was essential,” program organizers shared. The idea was simple: schedule regular walking events where neighbors could meet, talk, and explore their community together. Organizing the program was intentionally low-barrie...