The recent Gallup study provides one of the strongest pieces of evidence I have seen in recent years for why Missouri Good Neighbor Week should continue to focus on celebrating, recognizing, and making acts of neighboring visible. The survey suggests that kindness is not simply something people do; it is something people learn and repeat after seeing it modeled by others . Key Findings from the Gallup Study The survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults found that: 60% of Americans say they often or very often see people treating others with kindness and respect.  65% say they personally experienced an act of kindness from someone in their community within the past week. People who experience kindness are significantly more likely to feel comfortable initiating kindness toward strangers themselves. Nearly 8 in 10 people who frequently received kindness said they were very comfortable extending kindness to others. Americans who regularly witness kindness are much more likely to ...

I often say that neighboring is not a microwave, it is a crockpot. It does not happen instantly like a microwave. Rather the key ingredient for neighboring is time. "Crockpot neighboring" is a fun way to describe how we can build friendships and help the people around us, one action at a time over a longer period of time. Just like a crockpot, where you put in a few ingredients and let them cook slowly, crockpot neighboring is about making small, kind gestures over time. These little acts can help create strong friendships and a closer community. What is Crockpot Neighboring? Crockpot neighboring is about taking small steps to get to know your neighbors and show you care. It’s like cooking a big meal in a crockpot. You don’t have to rush things or make huge efforts. Instead, you do little things that add up over time to make something great.  Just like how a slow-cooked stew becomes tasty and delicious after hours of simmering, your neighborhood can become a warm and friendly...

  In a time when everything feels like it’s pushing toward extremes—louder voices, sharper divides, bigger reactions—we often assume that meaningful change must come through bold, sweeping action. But what if the most powerful neighbors are not the loudest ones?  What if they are the "trimmers"? The idea of a “trimmer” comes from leadership and decision-making theory. A trimmer is someone who doesn’t overcorrect or blow things up. Instead, they make small, steady adjustments—shifting weight, recalibrating direction, and helping systems move toward balance over time. David Brook's wrote about this idea for the Atlantic that  article  inspired this blog. That idea has profound implications for how neighboring cultures are actually built. Neighboring Is Not Revolution—It’s Reform One of the most important insights from the article is the distinction between innovation and reform. Innovation seeks to rebuild everything from the ground up, often starting fresh and aiming ...

  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...

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...

  The doorbell rang, but by the time I got to the door, the only thing I could find was a bag full of tomatoes. I’m not sure which neighbor had reached out to share their bounty—it could’ve been any number of green thumbs on our block. It was a kind and generous gesture, and the tomatoes were beautiful.  But I couldn’t help feeling like something was missing. It wasn’t the tomatoes. It was the connection. Sharing without contact, while appreciated, leaves something a bit hollow. It was a small moment, but it made me realize something bigger: our gardens have the potential to grow more than food—they can grow community, too. In an age when most of us are more familiar with our neighbors’ cars than their names, garden abundance is a built-in excuse to knock on a door, linger on a porch, or strike up a conversation over the fence. A zucchini surplus can become a reason to talk. A basket of cucumbers might open the door to a story. A bag of tomatoes, hand-delivered instead of anon...

"I am not a joiner." I have said these words before myself. It’s completely understandable to feel like you’re not a “joiner.” Many people feel more comfortable sticking to themselves.  Everyone has different preferences when it comes to socializing and connecting with others.  However, being involved in your community or neighborhood can have great benefits, both for you and the people around you. Even if you’re not someone who typically enjoys large gatherings or organized events, there are simple ways you can participate that might surprise you.  Here’s why community involvement is worth considering and how you can ease into it at your own pace. Building Connections One of the main reasons to get involved in your neighborhood is to build connections with the people around you. While you may not feel the need to join every event or group, having a sense of connection with your neighbors can make your life more enjoyable.  Imagine knowing someone you can call when y...