Celebrate Good Neighbor Week, September 28 to October 4

Have you ever felt isolated or disconnected from people right in your own neighborhood? Do you have a strong sense of community with those who live near you? For anyone interested in improving those connections, Missouri Good Neighbor Week, from Sunday, September 28, to Saturday, October 4, could be a great place to start! 

On Wednesday, September 10, Kimberling Area Library hosted a Learning on Wednesday session featuring David Burton, a community development specialist with the University of Missouri Extension and creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week and the Engaged Neighbor Program. Now a nationally-recognized figure in fostering neighborhood connections, he truly has a heart for loving his neighbors and wants to see others benefit from those connections. 

Burton’s presentation included an overview of changes in neighborhood and community society over the past several decades. During the 1950s, neighbors were more social—knew each other’s names, helped one another with chores or during tough life events, and often dropped by for a visit on the porch. Burton shared memories of growing up as a teen with a lawn-mowing business in the small community of Ash Grove, Missouri, “back when the ring of the doorbell was a good thing.” 

Now, polls indicate that a majority of Americans see a good neighbor as “someone who is quiet and leaves them alone.” (Referencing The Lonely American, Olds & Schwartz, 2010.) This trend has increased with techno-centric lifestyles, the isolation of COVID-19, and other social factors as Americans mingle less and less. Not surprisingly, statistics indicate a corresponding rise in anxiety and other issues related to isolation. 

There are resources and ideas available, however, to combat this trend and help neighbors feel safer and more connected. In May 2022, Governor Mike Parson signed legislation introduced by Rep. Bishop Davidson, establishing Good Neighbor Week. Missourians responded positively, reporting over 12,000 acts of neighborliness and nominating 115 people as Most Engaged Neighbors in 2022, and the program has grown from there. An abundance of resources can be found at http://missourigoodneighborweek.com, with suggestions for special events, opportunities to nominate “most engaged” neighbors and communities, and practical steps to get started. 

The key is what Burton calls “crockpot neighboring,” because it takes time: An estimated 50 hours together for two people to move from acquaintances to casual friends, and more than 200 hours for a close friendship to develop. If that seems overwhelming, Burton provided some simple ideas to get started: 

• Learn the names of your neighbors; 

• Find opportunities to use their names; 

• Host fun, simple gatherings; 

• Join or create a club. 

The acronym REACH can be helpful: 

• Relationship (connect and stay connected) 

• Empathy (share and try to understand feelings) 

• Action (do something to move toward mutual trust) 

• Courage (creatively resist opposition) 

• Humility (hold a modest estimate of your own importance and be open to improvement) 

David Burton is available to speak to groups and for consulting, and the Extension also offers Neighborhood Leadership Academy for those wanting to take a more active role. Contact burtond@missouri.edu or call 417-881-8909 and get started today! We at the Globe are eager to hear how you engage in your neighborhood during Good Neighbor Week!