Strong communities are made up of engaged residents who are at the center of efforts to address critical community issues. In low-income, marginalized communities, residents are the experts of their own life experiences and be agents of change. And they already are.

Throughout many communities, informal neighbor-to-neighbor helping is happening every day. Points Of Light Institute calls this Neighboring. It is a matter of survival for disadvantaged communities. Through the generous support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Neighboring Initiative focuses on mobilizing the assets (time, talents and resources) of low-income and underserved residents to strengthen families and transform communities into thriving and vital places to live.

Neighboring is not a program, or a project - it is simply good volunteer practice. Neighboring acknowledges that all people have something to contribute to the improvement of their community. When agencies engage low-income residents as partners, and not just clients, volunteering has the power to build essential connections that low-income, underserved families and communities need to be successful. These include connections to economic opportunities, access to reliable services and supportive social networks made up of caring neighbors.

We invite you to be a part of Neighboring. Here's how:

• Start a Neighboring project in your community: See a need in the community, contact the Volunteer Center of Story County at info@vcstory.org and we can help you organize the project.
• Access useful tools and resources online: http://www.abcdinstitute.org or http://www.handsonnetwork.org
• Inform community partners and local leaders: share the Neighboring Initiative with clients, community leaders and members who might be interested in getting involved.
• Attend a Neighboring Meeting or Training: Contact Stephanie Corbett at stephanie.corbett@vcstory.org for date and time.