The future of America may depend less on who lives in the White House and more on whether we know who lives in the white house next door. Every election season reminds us how much energy we pour into national politics. We debate candidates, consume headlines, refresh polling data, and argue over policies that originate hundreds or thousands of miles away. We know the names of senators we have never met, commentators we will never meet, and public figures who will never know we exist. Meanwhile, many of us could not tell you the first name of the person who lives three doors down. That disconnect isn’t just ironic. It may be one of the greatest challenges facing our communities.  A healthy nation isn’t built exclusively from the top down. It’s built from the sidewalk up. Neighborhoods are where trust is formed. They are where children learn what community looks like, where crises become manageable because someone notices, and where loneliness can be interrupted by a knock on ...

A recent article from the research organization More in Common explored a troubling reality: many men have very few people they can call when life gets difficult. Some men reported having no one at all. Others could name only a spouse or family member. The article highlights what many researchers have been documenting for years: a growing crisis of male friendship and social connection . As I read the article, I could not help but think about neighborhoods. For years, neighboring advocates have focused on reducing loneliness, increasing belonging, and helping people build stronger local connections. While those efforts benefit everyone, the research suggests there may be a special opportunity (and need) to engage men. Many men do not build friendships the same way women often do. Research has found that men frequently connect through shared activities, common projects, and experiences rather than lengthy emotional conversations. In other words, men often talk shoulder-to-shoulder rat...

Service is one of the most beautiful words in the English language. It means giving of yourself for the good of others. Every town needs people who serve—those who donate food, volunteer for cleanup days, or help lead community drives. Service is the grease that keeps a community moving. Yet, as valuable as it is, service alone is not the same as being an engaged neighbor . Service that makes it possible to help others in a community is worthwhile and commendable, but being an engaged neighbor is something deeper. It is service that repeats itself. It’s service that takes root on your street, among people whose names you know and whose stories you share. It’s not just about meeting needs—it’s about building relationships. The Power of Proximity Most acts of service happen outside of where we live. We go downtown to volunteer, to the shelter to serve, or to the community center to help. But engaged neighboring happens right where you are . It’s the ripple of kindness that begins whe...

  Over the past five years, the Neighboring 101  class has shared countless stories and lessons from people across North America who are changing their communities by simply becoming engaged neighbors.  Through monthly Zoom sessions, this interactive series has shown how small, meaningful connections between neighbors can lead to powerful improvements in quality of life, safety, and sense of belonging. From stories of front yard meet-ups to neighborhood cleanups and creative celebrations, the class has made one thing very clear: neighboring isn’t complicated, but it is important. What Is Neighboring 101? Neighboring 101 is led by David Burton, a community development specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. In 2018 he was inspired by the book The Art of Neighboring  by Dave Runyon, and  Burton worked toward creating a class to educate and motivate people to take small steps toward becoming more engaged in their neighborhoods.  The program e...