In neighborhoods and small communities, volunteers are often the heartbeat behind the scenes. They organize events, check on neighbors, coach youth teams, serve meals, lead clean-up days, support local schools, and help create the kind of places where people feel connected and valued.  Yet one of the biggest challenges many community groups face is not coming up with ideas—it is finding and keeping volunteers. The good news is that recruiting and retaining volunteers does not always require a large budget or a sophisticated strategy. Often, it comes down to relationships, purpose, appreciation, and creating meaningful opportunities for people to contribute. The principles in the “Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers” graphic offer a simple but powerful framework for building a strong volunteer culture in your neighborhood or small town. Recruit: Share the Mission and Reach the Right People People are far more likely to volunteer when they clearly understand why something ma...

  There’s a disturbing clarity in watching The Perfect Neighbor — a 2025 documentary that has become one of the most talked-about films of the year. Told almost entirely through police body camera footage, 911 calls, and real recordings from Ocala, Florida, the film replays the fatal shooting of Ajike “A.J.” Owens, a 35-year-old Black mother of four, by her white neighbor, Susan Lorincz. What begins as minor complaints about kids playing in a backyard spirals into a confrontation that ended in death, incarceration, and national conversation about race, guns, and community.  Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and released on Netflix after premiering at Sundance, the film has been lauded for its unflinching use of real footage — no dramatic re-enactments, no narrated opinions — leaving viewers to sit in the uncomfortable space of witnessing a slow buildup of fear, resentment, miscommunication, and institutional failures.  As we watch arguments over noise, perceived trespass, and p...

  Springfield, Missouri, proudly holds the title “Birthplace of Route 66,” a distinction rooted in history and community spirit. But the modern celebration of that legacy didn’t start with a city council or a tourism bureau—it began with a neighborhood. In the early 2000s, Rusty Worley, then president of the West Central Neighborhood Alliance, wanted to bring neighbors together in a way that celebrated Springfield’s unique heritage. He and a handful of volunteers organized a modest block party on College Street—the historic corridor where Route 66 once ran through the heart of town. The first event featured classic cars, local music, and a few food vendors.  The event was small, but it struck a chord. Locals and visitors alike wanted more. Over the years, that little neighborhood party grew, fueled by the passion of residents and community leaders who saw Route 66 not just as a highway, but as a symbol of American adventure and connection.  Eventually, the City of Springf...

  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...

In small towns across America, something remarkable is happening—not through flashy top-down programs or one-size-fits-all policies, but through stories, shared values, and the voices of everyday residents. This is the power behind the Community Heart & Soul  process, a proven model that puts people—not politics—at the center of community planning and transformation. Founded by Lyman Orton, proprietor of The Vermont Country Store, Community Heart & Soul was born from a simple yet profound belief: that small towns hold deep reservoirs of resilience, pride, and possibility. With the right framework, these qualities can be harnessed to create stronger, more vibrant, and inclusive communities. Over the past decade, more than 120 communities—mostly with populations under 30,000—have implemented this process with lasting results. So what exactly is Community Heart & Soul? At its core, it’s a four-phase, community-led planning model that helps towns discover what matters most ...

  In a world where people are more digitally connected than ever, loneliness continues to grow as a silent struggle affecting people of all ages.  Amber Allen, a human development and family science specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, is determined to change that trend. Through her work in human development and social connection, she emphasizes the importance of relationships in overcoming loneliness and building stronger, healthier neighborhoods. "People hear the word loneliness and think it’s going to be a gray rain cloud," Allen said during a presentation on Neighboring 101 in March of 2021. "But today, I want to talk about how to make the sun shine in your neighborhood by forming real social connections." Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation Allen explained that loneliness and social isolation, though related, are not the same. "Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact," she...

  In today’s fast-paced world, many people feel disconnected from their communities. Our busy schedules often keep us focused on work, errands, and immediate family needs, leaving little time to build meaningful connections with those around us. This lack of engagement can create a sense of isolation and missed opportunities for mutual support and a reduction in social capital. Fortunately, by adopting simple and thoughtful habits, we can enhance not only our own lives but also the lives of those in our communities. Building connections with those nearby fosters a sense of belonging and brings tangible benefits, including improved well-being, enhanced security, and a better quality of life. (Kretzmann & McKnight, 1993).  The Engaged Neighbor Pledge was been developed by Community Development Specialist David Burton between 2020 and 2024 .This pledge outlines principles for fostering meaningful neighborhood connections. By visiting engagedneighbor.com , individuals can take...

I n "Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing," Pete Davis offers a compelling exploration of how commitment—the act of dedicating oneself to a single pursuit or cause—can be both a transformative personal virtue and an antidote to the overwhelming choices that define modern life. In a world where constant distractions and an ever-expanding array of options can paralyze decision-making, Davis argues that making intentional, sustained commitments is crucial for living a meaningful, fulfilling life. Pete Davis knows a thing or two about this topic and spoke about it during his commencement speech at Harvard! This may be the most watched commencement speech of all time! Back to the book, which is part memoir, part philosophical essay, and part cultural critique. Davis draws on his own experiences as well as a wide array of historical and contemporary examples to make his case. He examines the psychology of choice and how our hyper-connected, hyper-compe...