On Thursday evening (Feb. 19), MU Extension Community Development Specialist David Burton led a neighborhood lab for the Heart of the Westside Neighborhood Association in Springfield, Mo. "I had the privilege of leading a Neighborhood Lab and it was one of those gatherings that quietly reminds you why neighboring matters," said Burton. The event was hosted by Flourish , a nonprofit that has intentionally embedded itself in the Heart of the Westside neighborhood. Their mission is beautifully simple and deeply ambitious: build relationships and transforming lives so the neighborhood can truly thrive — or flourish.  About 20 neighbors gathered around tables, shared a meal provided by Flourish, and then leaned into a 90-minute workshop rooted in asset-based community development. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong here?” we asked, “What’s strong here?” Participants took time to identify their own gifts and talents — the skills, passions, and experiences they already carry — and t...

  The concept of Neighborhood Labs was created by the Hopeful Neighborhood Project (HNP)  located in St. Louis, Missouri. Like MU Extension, HNP promotes asset-based community development (ABCD). MU Extension is proud to partner with HNP to offer neighborhood labs across the state or to train others to conduct a lab where they live. Why Neighborhood Labs Matter A strong neighborhood is built on relationships, shared resources, and a common goal of making life better for everyone. A Neighborhood Lab is an event where people come together to learn about their community, share skills, and make positive changes. It’s a chance to discover what makes your neighborhood special and find ways to improve it. This guide will walk you through how to plan and run a Neighborhood Lab in your community. Follow these steps to make the event easy, fun, and effective! Step 1: Define Your Neighborhood Before you start, take time to define what you mean by “neighborhood.” A neighborhood ...