5th year of Neighboring 101 features nationally known authors, leaders
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Neighboring 101 is not just for new homeowners or people new to community life. The ongoing program is for anyone wanting to improve their neighborhood or community as well as their personal life and health. Over 800 people across the United States are enrolled in this University of Missouri Extension class. Individuals who register can attend the monthly class via Zoom or access recordings of the previous classes.
“Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbors” Announced as Part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week Awards
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Twelve Missourians have been chosen for statewide recognition as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” for 2023 as part of the planned activities for Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4). Sixty-two people were nominated for recognition as one of Missouri's most engaged neighbors. Each of them received an acknowledgment letter and gift by mail.
Best Acts of Neighboring Announced from Missouri Good Neighbor Week 2023
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Second Annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4) was a documented success. Organizers had a goal to document 15,000 acts of neighboring. But instead, Missourians reported 19,752 acts of neighboring during the week.
Missouri Community LAB: A hub for creating strong, whole communities
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Missouri is stronger when its communities are vibrant and healthy, but people can struggle to find information and programs designed to help build those vibrant communities, says Claire Rippel, University of Missouri Extension community development education director.
Missouri Good Neighbor Week Gains Momentum in 2023, Blows Past Goal
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missourians from all walks of life celebrated the first Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4) by doing and reporting neighboring acts and nominating others as the most engaged neighbors in their respective counties. For the second year, University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project teamed up to sponsor the week across Missouri.
Missouri Good Neighbor Week named Program of the Year at Neighborhoods USA conference
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – David Burton, a community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension, returned from the 48th annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) conference in El Paso, Texas, May 24-28, with the Best Neighborhood Program award.This year's conference drew more than 625 people from 34 states and featured educational workshops, speakers, tours, networking opportunities and an awards program.
Tonnie Smith named to Who's Who in America's Neighborhoods Honor Roll
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Tonnie Gilspie Smith, a volunteer with West End South Community Improvement District in St. Louis, was named to the Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods Honor Roll during the 48th annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) national conference in El Paso, Texas, May 24-28.Each Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods nominee is evaluated by the NUSA board of directors. There were six nominees this year, but only Smith earned Who’s Who…
Get Out and See 4th Annual Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) Showcase in Springfield area, April 22 – May 7
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Springfield’s original public art exhibition, Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN), kicked off on April 22 and this year we have 20 participating addresses.In its fourth year, LAWN has also grown to include Raleigh, North Carolina with other cities nationwide also inquiring about the program.LAWN is a public art opportunity accessible to all community members and all art forms.
Goal of Turquoise Tables Is To Create Gathering Spot for Neighbors
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Getting to know your neighbors may be as easy as getting a picnic table, painting it turquoise, and creating a neighborhood gathering spot in your front yard.Sounds a bit crazy, but according to David Burton, a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist, the turquoise table movement that began in 2018 is still going strong nationwide.
Show-Me MO Success podcast: Good Neighbor Day in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Quality of life is affected by the quality of the neighborhoods in which people live. In the latest episode of “Show-Me MO Success,” the University of Missouri’s Business and Community Extension podcast, listeners learn how the Neighborhood Leadership Academy helps community volunteers develop projects to improve their neighborhoods.
Create and Exhibit Public Art as Part of Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) April 22 – May 7
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The fourth annual Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) Exhibition is the perfect opportunity to create a public art display for your neighbors to enjoy, or to create something with your neighbors to enhance where you live.The 2023 version of Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) is set for April 22 to May 7.LAWN is a public art opportunity accessible to all community members and all art forms.
Best Selling Author Joins Neighboring 101 on Feb. 16
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- How would you react if your neighbors died in a murder-suicide and you realized that you did not know their names? Then you discover none of your neighbors knew their names.Would you have feelings of guilt, wondering if you could have made a difference?Would you have feelings of anger toward other neighbors for not being involved?Or would you be motivated to make a change?
Emergency Response Is a Good Reason for Developing Relationships With Neighbors
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- When a disaster strikes, who are you going to call? Several residents in rural Highlandville recently answered that question with action when they reached out to their neighbors and came to help when a neighbor's home caught on fire.It all began with an effort by Echo Alexzander to meet her new rural neighbors, which turned out to be essential for an emergency response just a few weeks later.
Springfield's Tool Library a Model for Other Towns or Neighborhoods
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The sharing economy has found its way to Springfield in the form of a tool library.Generally, people think of Uber, Lyft and Airbnb when they hear the term "sharing economy." But thanks to easy-to-use software, dedicated volunteers, and direction from Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Springfield can lay claim to a tool-sharing library.
Lasagna Love Needs More Volunteers in Springfield Area
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Nothing connects neighbors like food, and apparently, nothing says love like lasagna.Karen Harris of Springfield is the area volunteer coordinator for a neighboring movement known as Lasagna Love.Although her home is busy with the activities of her husband (retired Navy veteran) and three teenage daughters, Harris says it is not too busy to find time to use food to help others.
Nationally known speakers lined up for Neighboring 101 in 2023
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – More than 700 people from across the United States are enrolled in an online class offered monthly by University of Missouri Extension known as Neighboring 101.Class instructor and organizer David Burton, a community development specialist with MU Extension, says since the class began in late 2019, courses and videos have had over 10,000 views or attendees.
Gift a Book on Neighboring This Year
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Holiday shopping is in full swing, and books remain a great gift option, according to David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension."Whether you are shopping for a gift for family members, co-workers, or neighbors, let me suggest some books as gifts," said Burton.All of these books share a common theme: neighboring.
Build Neighbor Connections With Favorite Things Party
Parties are great ways to get to know your neighbors, especially if you do a "favorite things party."
10 Greene County Residents Recognized for Their Efforts to be an Engaged Neighbor
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension Greene County Extension Council is pleased to announce ten Greene County residents chosen for special recognition as neighbors.Missourians from all walks of life celebrated the first Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept 28 – Oct. 4) by doing and reporting neighboring acts and nominating others as the most engaged neighbors in their respective counties.
17 Missourians recognized with statewide awards following first Missouri Good Neighbor Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The first statewide awards for Missouri Good Neighbor Week were announced Oct. 20 by the joint sponsors of the campaign, University of Missouri Extension in Greene County and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project, headquartered in St. Louis.Missourians from all walks of life celebrated the first Missouri Good Neighbor Week, Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, by doing and reporting neighboring acts and nominating others as the most…
Missouri Good Neighbor Week Reaches its Goal
The results of Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 4) have been overwhelming.The stretch goal for the week was to document 10,000 acts of neighboring in Missouri and as of Oct. 5, there have been 12,851 acts of neighboring documented. Over 100 Missourians have been nominated as Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor! It will take several days to organize the final submissions and send information to county-level partners for local…
Missouri Leads the Nation With Passage of Good Neighbor Week Bill
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri Governor Mike Parsons signed HB1738 on Friday, July 1, 2022, which includes language designating Missouri Good Neighbor Week starting on National Good Neighbor Day (Sept. 28) and continuing for six days.The measure is a first for our nation, and it comes at a time when a reminder about the value of neighbors is desperately needed, according to University of Missouri Extension Community Development Specialist…
53 Missourians attend online training to learn to be a neighborhood connector for Good Neighbor Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project are expanding their annual celebration of National Good Neighbor Day (Sept. 28) in 2022 with Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 4).This will be the fifth year of organizing a celebration of the national holiday and bringing attention to the engaged neighbor program, according to David Burton, county engagement specialist, MU Extension.
Topics announced for Neighboring 101 sessions
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – More than 500 people from across the United States are enrolled in a free online class offered monthly by University of Missouri Extension known as Neighboring 101.Class instructor and organizer David Burton, a community development specialist with MU Extension, says that since the class began in late 2019, courses and videos have had over 10,000 views or attendees.
Becoming an Engaged Neighbor Begins With Learning Names of Nearest Neighbors; MU Extension Chart Can Help
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The vast majority of Americans do not know the names of their nearest neighbors, do not speak to those neighbors and do not know a personal fact about them. Most Americans have never had a conversation with their neighbor. Maybe they grunt when they pass on the street or wave when pulling out of the driveway, but that is its extent.