Dr. Mike Stout, Associate Professor of Sociology in the department of sociology and anthropology, organized the Neighbor for Neighbor tables and the community development survey at the Robberson and Weller Neighborhood Night Out events on Friday, August 22nd, sponsored by the Community Partnership of the Ozarks and the City of Springfield.
Prior to the event, Dr. Stout held a training session on conducting face-to face surveys at Missouri State University in the CASL department, after which the participants, including sociology students, faculty and staff, were sent to the neighborhoods. The survey’s focus was to determine each neighborhood’s need for community development projects such as the creation of green space whether in the form of a park or playground, the need for a community center, as well as the residents’ willingness to participate in the planning and implementation of the projects. Residents were also given the opportunity to provide ideas for additional areas of community improvement. Approximately 50 surveys were completed at each event
Sociology Program Coordinator, John Harms, and Professor Tim Knapp were available at the information table for the Neighbor for Neighbor Program at each site to anyone who completed the survey and wanted additional information about the program.
The Neighbor for Neighbor table and survey were just a part of the Neighborhood Night Out event. Other activities open to residents and their children included informational booths, the Springfield-Greene County mobile library, tours of a fire truck and an ambulance, sidewalk games, and a cookout. It was an opportunity to connect with neighbors, and friends—old, and new.
Programs like this one are designed to help communities that are struggling to find ways of working together to achieve their goals and develop social capital. This program reflects the department’s goal of public outreach and building community.