Unlocking Community Potential: The Power of Neighborly Connections
At The Neighboring Movement, we are constantly reminded of the incredible potential within our communities. Each neighborhood has residents with passions, unique talents, inspiring stories, and ambitious dreams. During our Faith-Based Animator Network (FAN) sessions, Animators embark on treasure hunts to uncover these hidden gifts. Time and again, they are amazed by the abundance right outside their front door. They also discover how eager their neighbors are to share their talents when approached!
Faith-Based Animator Network, Final Gathering, Winter 2025
Driven by their faith, Animators explored their communities and discovered the work of God already happening around them. They committed to helping their neighborhoods thrive through challenges and successes. The final gathering of our FAN cohorts invites Animators to share their asset maps, highlighting what they have learned about their neighborhoods over the past 14 weeks. Their findings remind us that people are truly remarkable. Here are some of the incredible discoveries that were made in their neighborhoods:
People are excited about helping plan block parties to build a stronger community.
People who speak multiple languages are willing to teach them to their neighbors to enhance communication.
Neighbors share their resources, whether they grow vegetables, have eggs to give away, or provide garden starter kits.
Neighbors are helping each other recover after weather events and disasters.
Informal loan clubs allow neighbors to chip in when someone in their neighborhood is in need.
On a single street, an art business lends heavy equipment and labor to a non-profit in exchange for donuts from a third business.
MakeICT offers access to machines and tools for every craft and hobby imaginable. For a small fee, anyone can join a community of fellow creative people 24 hours a day.
This cohort leaned into the counter-cultural work of neighboring, caring, and cheering for each other. It was an honor to walk alongside this group of Animators as they brought their neighbors together in ways that would not have happened without their intention and care.
Tara Baxter
I want to spotlight Tara Baxter, who created a binder full of mini-experiments that, through her international approach to neighboring, resulted in a wealth of neighboring experiences.
"This is more of a self-discovery. We talked about our "Yeah, buts…" [the things holding us back from diving straight into neighboring] at the in-person gathering [in week 10]. I began thinking that I'm probably not the only person on my block who might have some of these same reservations about getting out of their comfort zone and being intentional with their neighbors. I shifted my mindset to the idea that I am intentionally connecting instead of being a nosy, bothersome neighbor, " said Tara Baxter.
Tara's initial mini-experiments didn't always yield the results she hoped for. However, after making a significant shift in mindset and remaining open to accountability and grace, her last three to four weeks of the cohort resulted in some of the most meaningful interactions among neighbors!
Each of our Animators showed eagerness to continue neighboring. Four people want to use their asset maps to work on a neighborhood project through our Community Builders program. Ideas include:
A Spanish-English language exchange relevant to daily life
Tackling local food insecurity
Beautifying an empty lot
Cleaning up the neighborhood pond
Fixing up shared mailboxes
Painting a mural together
When I reflect on everything our Animators have discovered and the possibilities that lie ahead, I see a world filled with hope and abundance. The gifts, stories, experiences, connections, and dreams emerged from people being intentional and engaging in meaningful conversations with their neighbors—who, on the surface, may seem to share nothing more than a street.
When I take this all in, I have no choice but to exclaim, "People are awesome!"
