Imagine if every neighborhood in your community had access to a small fund—perhaps $50, $100, or $250—to help neighbors do something together. Not to repair a street.  Not to build a new park.  Simply to gather. A block party.  An ice cream social.  A front-yard concert.  A neighborhood cleanup followed by pizza.  A chili cook-off.  A holiday decorating contest.  A "meet your neighbors" picnic. The cost would be tiny.  The return could be enormous. Recently I read about an experiment in Charlottesville, Virginia, where organizers offered thirty $100 neighborhood microgrants. Those small investments helped neighbors organize gatherings that connected roughly 500 residents. More importantly, nearly every gathering concluded with neighbors identifying something they wanted to do together next. The event wasn't the finish line—it became the starting point for stronger neighborhood relationships. That idea resonates deeply with ev...

  Communities are often built in three layers. First, there is infrastructure — the roads, utilities, parks, and buildings that shape the physical city. Second, there are institutions — schools, churches, businesses, and civic organizations that provide services and opportunities. But there is a third layer that often receives the least attention even though it may matter the most. That layer is relationships . When neighbors know each other and trust each other, cities function differently. Public safety improves because people notice problems early. Local businesses thrive because residents support them. Civic participation grows because people feel known and connected. Public health improves because isolation decreases. The RepMo Neighbor Network is built around strengthening this third layer — the relational infrastructure of the city.  The idea is simple but powerful: invest in the habits and leadership that help neighbors connect block by block. Over time, those conne...

  Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council in Republic, Missouri, Over the past several weeks I have been thinking about something I believe is important for the long-term health of Republic: the role that connected neighborhoods and engaged neighbors play in building a thriving and welcoming city. As someone who has lived here for 25 years and cares deeply about the future of our community, I recently wrote two reflections exploring this idea. I focused on the Mission and Vision of the City of Republic because I know how important this is to you and future decisions for our city. I wanted to share these articles with you in case they are helpful as you continue to think about the direction of our city. The first piece, “ My Vision for Republic: A Thriving City Where People Know Each Other ,” reflects on why neighboring matters and why I hope our community continues to think about ways to strengthen connection at the neighborhood level. It argues that thriving cities are not bui...

  From coast to coast and across the heartland, cities are celebrating National Good Neighbor Day (September 28) with a variety of creative, meaningful events. Whether through neighborhood block parties, tech-forward engagement, or simple acts of kindness, communities are coming together to strengthen the fabric of local life. Here’s how cities big and small are making National Good Neighbor Day a powerful force for connection: 1. San Francisco, California: The Inaugural Good Neighbor Week In San Francisco, the nonprofit Community News Lab is launching the city’s first-ever Good Neighbor Week, running September 28 to October 4. Highlights include: A city-wide proclamation Good Neighbor Awards Local block events A hackathon to develop tools for community-building Digital community bulletin boards in public spaces With its blend of creativity and tech-savvy planning, San Francisco’s Good Neighbor Week is poised to be a national model for innovative community engagement. 2. Boston, Ma...

New to Missouri Good Neighbor Week in 2024 was recognition for the most neighborly cities in the state. The program continues in 2025 with even more opportunities for communities to showcase their commitment to kindness, connection, and civic pride. Unlike typical competitions, this honor isn’t about trophies or titles—it’s about encouraging cities and their residents to weave neighboring into everyday life. Cities earn points through a variety of activities that highlight how neighbors can come together for the good of their community. How Cities Earn Points The competition is designed to be flexible so communities of all sizes can participate. Points are awarded for a wide range of activities, including: Citywide Campaigns : Cities that organize intentional outreach or awareness efforts during Missouri Good Neighbor Week earn points for mobilizing residents and celebrating community spirit. Proclamations from City Councils : When a mayor or council issues an official procla...

  Back in August, I read an article in the  Sikeston  newspaper about a plan students in Leadership  Sikeston  had developed to celebrate Sikeston Good Neighbor Week.  My first thought was: they have a wonderful plan, but the wrong week!  Back in 2022, the Governor signed a bill creating Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 - Oct. 4).   But when I reached out to organizers, I discovered they had a very good reason to designate Sept. 23-27 as Sikeston Good Neighbor Week. "We were aware of Missouri Good Neighbor Week and of the dates. However, it was the wrong week for us in Sikeston, said David Jenkins, communications manager for the City of Sikeston. "That week is homecoming week for our high school and the Leadership  Sikeston  group decided in order to have better participation to move the week up. Our week also coincides with a previously scheduled suicide awareness walk that we are promoting as part of our Mental Health A...