Last Thursday we began the 8 Front Doors Initiative in the neighborhood around Northfield School of the Liberal Arts near Friends University in Wichita, KS. We have enjoyed working with Northfield students in our own neighborhood. In the fall of 2019, they put in a lot of hard work laying down cardboard and raking many wheelbarrow loads of mulch at the Funston Neighborhood Garden. It was great to return the favor and partner with Northfield in furthering connections with their neighbors.
On Thursday morning Kristopher and I visited Northfield and shared about why we think neighboring is important. We started with introductions and explained that when we are meeting neighbors we try to learn their names and their skills, gifts, or talents. We asked students to share their names and one hobby that they enjoy. By the end of the sharing, we had an impressive list of skills. The abundance of talents and interests in that one classroom was exciting! It made it easy to imagine the abundance we might find in the neighborhood.
We had an energizing and honest conversation about the benefits of neighboring as well as the challenges. One student commented, “thank you for wanting to connect people because we don’t often know who we are living close to and it’s important.” Students brought up topics like the awkwardness of meeting a neighbor who has lived nearby for a year or more, or the desire to feel safe in their neighborhood. Beautiful!

On Thursday afternoon, we returned to the school for some door-knocking. Northfield chose the eight blocks nearest the school houses, so we divided into small groups and each group adopted a block. Students practiced what to say: introducing themselves and the school, asserting the importance of neighboring and strengthening the community, and finally challenging each household to get to know the neighbors in the 8 homes closes to theirs (the 8 Front Doors Challenge). 2:00 in the afternoon is not necessarily the ideal time to meet neighbors; however, each group was able to meet at least one neighbor on their particular block. Highlights included meeting a math tutor and a gifted resident who offered to volunteer at the school.

We don’t know where this 8 Front Doors Initiative will go, but we imagine many possibilities. We dream of a block party on the Northfield lawns. We envision an art show featuring works by Northfield students as well as Northfield neighbors. Picture students stationed in front of houses making sketches for the residents. What about a knowledge exchange event where students and neighbors teach each other skills? Can you see students and neighbors gardening together? Whatever happens, we hope to have stories to share of the connections that are made.