An Opportunity to be a Good Neighbor
05-16-2018
BEFORE
I love where I live. It is so much more than the place I call home. It's the place where my children's childhood home will always be. Where I married my husband and where I sow seeds in my garden. It's where I wave to my neighbors, my family as they drive by and of course to my mail lady Tamika. It is the place I race back to after a long day. So, when a photo of a huge mess that was dumped in a vacant lot was circulating in our neighborhood newsletter immediately I felt excited. I wasn't unhappy to see this mess, I was inspired. Inspired to be the very thing that I am to trying to encourage people to be thru my work at NeighborLink, A GOOD NEIGHBOR. Here is my opportunity to step outside of my yard and make a change in my own neighborhood.
My 1 year old Oliver and I loaded up the car with toys to entertain him and gloves and an Addison Agen CD to entertain me. Four people stopped to ask questions like, "What are you doing this for?, Who made this mess?, You know you can't drop these toys off here, there is already a big enough mess." One person even joined in and helped a bit while he was on his lunch break. He was so inspired and wanted to start doing things like this with his 11 year old daughter. He was so excited to hear about NeighborLink, where I work and decided this was going to be the platform he used to connect his daughter and himself to help his neighbors. I continued to clean drenched in joy.
Here in North Highlands we were just gifted a new playground at Hamilton Park that my son absolutly loves, as well as a new splash pad! This is our way of saying thank you to those who put the time, love, and effort into making that happen. I don't know how 7 huge tv's, a couch, a bag of dog food, old clothes, broken glass, and a bunch of old rugs got scattered all over a vacant businesses property. I don't know who is to blame. I just knew that I could do it. I knew this was more important than going to the zoo that day. I know that strangers have stepped up to help me when I was on the verge of giving up. I know that life can be unbearably hard sometimes. Maybe the people who were about to get fined for this mess were having a hard time? Maybe this 45 minutes that I took out of my day is capable of inspiring 45 minutes out of other people's days.
After living in this Neighborhood for 6 years nothing has made me feel closer and more proud to be apart of my neighborhood than this. Not swinging at the park, not pulling the kids in the wagon to the flower store, not becoming a member of the Neighborhood Association. Nope. Cleaning up a mess that wasn't my own is what gave me that feeling of belonging. It was a gift to me. It made me feel like I was doing something bigger than me. I was able to be the neighbor I would want to live alongside. As a mother I would love to know that my children are living in a neighborhood where people show grace and kindness when life gets though. I want them to feel at home in the place where my husband and I chose for them to grow. I see so much kindness here in North Highlands. I am just trying to keep up with The Jones' as they say.
AFTER
Latest News
Now Hiring: Project Facilitator
Summer Intern Spotlight - Kassidy Zurbuch
Summer Intern Spotlight - Jesse Harris
NeighborLink Welcomes Eric Wood as Executive Director
A Light on My Path: First Year Reflection
Why is it so hard to ask for help?
Making a Difference for Deb
Executive Director Job Description
Andrew's Parting Thoughts
Thank You For The Past 13 Years
2020 Volunteer of the Year Awards
Complex: ADAPTATIONS
Complex: SOLUTIONS
Complex: SITUATIONS
Complex: CONNECTIONS
Complex: EXPRESSIONS
Reflections With Robert - Revolutionary - August 31, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Community - August 17, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Between Waking and Sleeping - August 3, 2020
4th Annual Be A Good Neighbor Week Recap
Reflections With Robert - The Greatest Art - July 13, 2020
Now Hiring: Project Facilitator
Summer Intern Spotlight - Ben Richards
Reflections With Robert - Strangers and Sojourners - July 5, 2020
Summer Intern Spotlight - Kyle Zurbuch
Reflections With Robert - In Silence - June 29, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Enemy Territory - June 20, 2020
Reflections With Robert - When the Conscience Speaks -June 12, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Sumer of Love - May 29, 2020
Reflections With Robert - The First Four Months - May 22, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Strangers Into Neighbors - May 15, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Rebirth - May 8, 2020
#GivingTuesdayNow
PRESS RELEASE: $5,000 Grant from AWS Foundation
Reflections With Robert - City of Smiles - April 24, 2020
PRESS RELEASE: $25,000 Grant from Foellinger Foundation
Reflections With Robert - Blessed are the Poor - April 17, 2020
Now Hiring: Videographer
Reflections With Robert - Mindfulness - April 10, 2020
How Churches Can Use NeighborLink During Covid-19
Reflections With Robert - Quan Am - April 2, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Siopao - March 27, 2020
NeighborLink's Role as an Essential Non-Profit
How To Post Additional Projects For Same Neighbor
Reflections With Robert - Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times - March 23, 2020
Loving Your Neighbor, One Call at a Time
In the Aftermath
How to Love Your Neighbor (In Times Like These)
3.16.20 Press Release - NEIGHBORLINK FORT WAYNE RESPONSE PLANS TO COVID-19
Volunteer Opportunities - Food Delivery
Volunteer Recommendations During COVID-19 - updated 4/6/21
3.13.20 - OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE
NL Renewing Partnership with AmeriCorps for Exciting Job Opportunities
Reflections With Robert - Moving Day - March 9, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Smidging - March 2, 2020
Bernie on a Journey - Part 28 - February 28, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Margin - February 24, 2020
Bernie on a Journey - Part 27 - February 22, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Abad - February 17, 2020
Bernie on a Journey - Part 26 - February 14, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Pothole - February 10, 2020
Bernie on a Journey - Part 25 - February 7, 2020
Bernie on a Journey - Part 24 - January 31, 2020
Reflections With Robert - Journey to Day One - February 3, 2020
Bernie on a Journey - Part 23 - January 10, 2020
Bernie on a Journey - Part 22 - December 20, 2019
Celebrating Another Great Year at NeighborLink
The Final Turnstone Ramp
Bernie on a Journey - Part 21 - December 6, 2019
Giving Tuesday!
Bernie on a Journey - Part 20 - November 29, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 19 - November 22, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 18 - November 15, 2019
What Makes a Healthy Neighborhood, Healthy? Research Report
Bernie on a Journey - Part 17 - November 8, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 16 - November 1, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 15 - October 25, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 14 - October 21, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 13 - A Busy Multi-Week Recap
Bernie on a Journey - Part 12 - September 13, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 11 - September 6, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 10 - August 30, 2019
NeighborLink Fort Wayne Teams up with Addison Agen to Host Concert
Bernie on a Journey - Part 9 - August 23, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 8 - August 16, 2019
Recent Website Improvements
Bernie on a Journey - Part 7 - August 9, 2019
Bernie on a Journey - Part 6 - August 2, 2019
Bernie On A Journey - Part 5 - July 26, 2019
Bernie On A Journey - Part 4 - July 19, 2019
Bernie On A Journey - Part 3 - July 12, 2019
Bernie On A Journey - Part 2 - June 27, 2019
Bernie On A Journey - Part 1 - June 24, 2019
Let???s start from the top???At The Link with Steve Erick
Home Incentive Program (HIP) & What Makes A Healthy Neighborhood Healthy
Who's Posting All The Projects?
NeighborLink Teams Up with AmeriCorps for Exciting Job Opportunities
Showing Up for 15 Years
Hiring! Motion Graphics Apprentice
2018 NeighborLink Fall Leaf Raking Assistance
Hiring! Videographer Apprentice
Be A Good Neighbor Week Recap
NeighborLink In The News Recently
We're offering a Home Owner Improvement Grant: Is it for you?
The Wheel Chair Ramp Story
An Opportunity to be a Good Neighbor
NeighborLink Welcomes Three New Staff
NeighborLink Growing Again
At The Table Lunch Series
Easter Reflections
Innovation Comes In Many Forms
Gardens For Good Collaboration
2018 Be A Good Neighbor Week - July 9-14th
2017 Annual Report
We're In This Together
Finding the Intersection - AWS Foundation
Living out a Familiar Call in Unfamiliar Ways - Brotherhood Mutual
A Mission To Serve - The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
A New Era of Nonprofit Leadership - Foellinger Foundation
On Investing Well - M.E. Raker Foundation
2017 - NeighborLink Year End Event
#GivingTuesday - Help Rolland Get Heat
Love Tells A Story - Year-End Event
A Day In The Life of Jeff Shatto
Recap of "Be a Good Neighbor Week"
Why Be a Good Neighbor Week
Be a Good Neighbor Week - July 10th - 14th
The Power of an Intentional Birthday
NeighborLink is Hiring - Volunteer Recruitment Director
NeighborLink In The News
The Difference You Make
New NeighborLink Features & Changes
9 Years and Counting
2016 - "At The Link" - Where We're At
700 Completed Projects in 2016
New NeighborLink Website!
St Vincent DePaul Society - Year End Impact
100 Completed Projects in a Month!
"Blinded"
Leaf Raking Season Is Here!
The Sacrifice of Giving
Team NL Cyclocross Riders Are Cycling to Raise $6000+ for Neighbors in Need
NeighborLink Collaborates with Bravas
When You Can't Help Everyone
Summer Recap and Looking Forward
Behind Our "Get Out of Your House" Video
Recap of August Service Days
Update on NeighborLink's Search for a New Building
What I Learned While Volunteering
Jake & Mallory Shinneman, Team NeighborLink
Update on $100,00 Grant
Gay Penland, Volunteer
Ben Steele, Team NeighborLink Ambassador
25 Years Strong: Dayton Group Keeps Serving, This Year in Fort Wayne
Here's What's Been Happening with Mission Serve This Week
Spending a Day with Jeff Shatto, Director of Mobilization
The Alveys, Neighbors
Chris Minick, Neighbor
JP & Grub 'n Go
Kami's Reflection on Internship Experience
Carol Kortokrax, Neighbor
Intern Nicole Talks About Her Experience So Far
NeighborLink Completes 15th Wheelchair Ramp for 2016!
Kat Reflects on First Few Weeks of Her Internship
Even More Website Updates
Website Updates
The $100,000 Update
We're Hiring! Program Support Person
Want $5,000 To Help A Neighbor In Need? We've Got it.
NeighborLink Partners with the City of Fort Wayne
Missional Coffee Gatherings with NeighborLink
New Committees at NeighborLink
NeighborLink Searching for Contractors to Hire To Skilled Projects
2016 Winter Training Series
Furnace Fundraising Report
Neighbors At The Table Event Recap
Feathers For Heat - Fundraising Campaign
Meet Elisa Layton, NL's New Program Director
It's Leaf Raking Season
Esther Gets New Roof!
NeighborLink Receives $8,000 Grant
NeighborLink Fort Wayne Receives $500 Donation from AT&T
I'm Growing and I'm Grateful
NeighborLink Women's Breakfast Gathering
New Feature - Text & Email Notifications
A Family Affair: The Story of the Menefe Roofing Project
NLFW.org Features - Service Events
Volunteers Respond to Fort Wayne Flooding
NeighborLink Welcomes Summer Intern, Katie Fair
Meet Millie! Our New Mobile Project Management Vehicle
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"Neighbor-To-Neighbor"
Volunteering In Crisis Situations
March 28th - Intro to NL & Volunteer Training
Creating Project Type Maps
Volunteering: Small Things Make Big Changes
Walking In Winter
The Extra Step
NeighborLink Seeking Design Intern
Recent NeighborLink Website Updates!
NeighborLink Network Android App Launches!
NeighborLink Welcomes Heather Schoegler to its Board of Directors
Volunteers Painted 122 City of Fort Wayne Fire Hydrants
It's Leaf Raking Season!
NeighborLink To Present at IN Statewide Conference on Oct 1st
Recent Website Updates
"How Many Yards Can You Mow In One Day?"
The Committed Few
Roxanne's Landscaping Project
Team NeighborLink Meet & Greet Info Session
35 Volunteers Help at Camp Red Cedar
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Fundraiser Success! Allena Got a Hot Water Heater
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Project Recap: St Francis Students Paint Garage
Project 200 in 2014 Just Completed!
IPFW Big Event Recap
Welcome Jeff Shatto To NLFW
NL Welcomes Derek Webb - May 24th
Moving Project Success
Exploring the Role of Dignity at NeighborLink
New Website Overview
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Encouraging Words.
NeighborLink Year-End Event - December 3rd
Neighbor Of The Year Nomination
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Brett Meyer Is Raising $1000 For NeighborLink At Fort4Fitness
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Intern Update: LAST DAY...sort of.
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NeighborLink joins 3 Rivers Raft Race!
Roxann's House
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Tip #1: Take Cookies To Your Neighbor
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Lunch n' Learn: John Barce
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Hydrants: Round One = Complete
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An Honest Confession
An Intern Update: Reflecting at Yummee's
Let us Celebrate the Crowd Funding!
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Scraping, Painting, & Learning
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Appreciating the Fire Hydrants
Introducing Your NL Interns
Connecting The Dots: Team NeighborLink
Intern Update By Andrew & Jon - 5.7.13
NeighborLink Fort Wayne Birthday Campaign
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Hack-A-Thon Recap
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Cornerstone Youth Center Spring Break Project 2013
Engaging the Recipient Training Notes
Intern Update By Andrew & Jon - 4.8.13
NLFW.org Hack-A-Thon! Friday, April 26th
New Coach Resource
Update - Urgent Moving Project - It's Almost Done
Summer Internship Opportunities
Small Things Video Series - Food
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Meet The New Interns - Jonathan Purdy
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1st Successfully Funded Project in 2013
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New Love Your Neighbor T-Shirts
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Reflect. Rejoice. Renew. Film
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A Conversation Between Two Pastors - Part 2
A Conversation Between Two Pastors - Part 1
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Our First Fully Crowd-Funded Project!
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New Kid on The Block - Week 4 - OFF THE RECORD
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