helping neighbours essay

My Neighborhood Essay

500 words my neighborhood essay.

As humans , all of us live in a society are bound to a neighbourhood. It is an essential place which has a great impact on our lives. So much so that it does determine where we are in life and how we are doing. It is a fact that if we are not happy in our neighbourhood, we will not live peacefully. Through my neighborhood essay, I will explain about my neighbourhood and the reasons why I love it.

All About My Neighbourhood

I live in a great neighbourhood. It is wonderful because it offers us a lot of facilities. The green park near my house makes the area much more beautiful. Similarly, the swings in the park ensure the kids get to play cheerfully all day long.

Moreover, my neighbourhood also has many other bonuses. A grocery store adjacent to the park makes sure people get all their needs fulfilled without having to go far. All my neighbours buy their things from that grocery store only.

The owner also lives in the same area so he is very cordial with everyone. The grocery store saves everyone a long trip to the market and also their time. The park in my neighbourhood remains clean at all times.

The maintenance team makes sure they clean and sanitize it from time to time. It allows my neighbours to sit and relax in the evenings and take walks in the morning. The clean and fresh air gives everyone a great experience.

Why I Love My Neighbourhood

Apart from the top-notch facilities available in my neighbourhood, we also have amazing neighbours who make our lives better. A good neighbourhood is not made of facilities only but good people as well.

I got lucky in this case because my neighbours are very sweet. They help in maintaining the peace of the area so everyone lives in harmony. I have seen very often that if there is an emergency at anyone’s place, everyone rushes to help.

Similarly, we also organize events from time to time so that the whole neighbourhood gathers and enjoy themselves. I have a lot of friends in my neighbourhood with whom I play.

Most of them are my age so we meet every evening to cycle together and play on swings. We also go to each other’s birthday parties and sing and dance. The most favourite thing about my neighbourhood is definitely the residents.

I always notice how we never let any poor person go back empty-handed. My neighbourhood also organizes a donation drive every year. In this, each family donates clothes, toys and other useful commodities for the needy.

Thus, we all live together as a large family. Even though we live in different houses, our hearts are bounded by the same love and respect for each other.

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Conclusion of My Neighbourhood Essay

All in all, a great neighbourhood is important to have a good life. In fact, our neighbours prove to be more helpful than our relatives sometimes. It is because they live nearby so they are most likely to offer help in emergency situations. Similarly, my neighbourhood is very clean and helpful, thereby making my life happy and content.

FAQ on My Neighborhood Essay

Question 1: What is the importance of a good neighbourhood?

Answer 1: A good neighbourhood is important because it helps in providing a safe and secure atmosphere . When people live in good neighbourhoods, they lead happy lives and spread joy around.

Question 2: Why must we keep our neighbourhood clean?

Answer 2: It is important to keep our neighbourhood clean because it will create a hygienic and serene environment. This way, everyone will be able to enjoy outdoors and it will also prevent any diseases.

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Essay on My Neighbour in English for Children and Students

Table of Contents

Essay on My Neighbour: Good neighbours are a blessing. They help each other in the hour of need and share joys and sorrows. Having a good neighbour makes life much more joyous and pleasant. It also makes us feel secure. This is especially true for people living away from their families.

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Long and Short Essay on My Neighbour in English

Here are essay on My Neighbour of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exam.

We have given both long and short My Neighbour essay to help you with the topic in your exams as well as competitions.

All the essays are well worded by an experienced English content writer and able to fulfill your requirement; so, you can choose any one of them as per your need:

Short Essay on My Neighbour (200 Words) – Essay 1

It feels safe, secure and pleasant living in a neighbourhood surrounded by helpful and positive people. The family living in my neighbourhood is full of life. There are six members in their family – grandparents, parents, and two kids. Every member is cheerful and helpful. We have been living in the same neighbourhood for almost a decade and our neighbours have become an important part of our life.

There have been several incidents during these years where they have proved to be of great help and support. I remember the day I was alone at home with my grandmother. My grandmother was doing some household work when her ankle twisted and she fell on the floor. She was unable to get up on her own. I was just seven years old at that time and could not help her stand. I was almost in tears.

I called my neighbours and they immediately came for help. I was really thankful to them. This is just one incident. There have been numerous such incidents wherein they have helped us. Our family also supports them whenever they need any help. Last year, when their house was getting renovated, we invited them to stay with us for a few days.

We have seen various highs and lows in life together and hope our bond stays intact for years to come.

Essay on My Neighbour (300 Words) – Essay 2

My neighbour is the best neighbour.

Introduction

We live in a nuclear family. My father works in an IT firm and my mother is a teacher. I do not have any siblings nor do we have any relatives in the city. We visit my grandparents and cousins only during the summer vacation.

I felt quite lonely when we shifted here initially. However, I soon met Meera, my new neighbour. I was overjoyed to know that she was the same age as me. We were both eight at that time. I got along well with her from the very beginning. We connected very well and I started feeling really better. I was no longer lonely or sad.

Our Bond with our New Neighbour

Just like I became friends with Meera, my mother got along well with her mother. Meera’s mother is a housewife. My mother and she often have evening tea together. We look forward to such days as it allows us to play at each other’s place. We get a chance to play with different toys and games.

On other days, we go together to the park. We play different outdoor games, take swings and enjoy a lot. We also joined the same summer camp during our last vacation. The camp was for three hours daily during the weekdays. We indulged in many activities such as art and craft, dance, music and board games during this time.

Both of us enjoy art and craft work. We prepared many craft items together even after we returned from the summer camp. During the vacations every year, we also visit the malls together. It has been three years since we have been neighbours and it has been a lot of fun.

I am really thankful to God for giving me such a good neighbour. Meera is simply the best. Her family is also very friendly. I am glad that our mothers are also friends with each other.

Essay on My Neighbour (400 Words) – Essay 3

Importance of a good neighbour.

Our neighbours are one of the first people we can approach during an emergency situation. Those who have good neighbours live with a feeling of security. On the other hand, those who do not connect well with their neighbours can have a hard time during their hour of need.

We Need Good Neighbour

Here is why we need good neighbours:

Good neighbours support us during crisis. They are there to help us in case any kind of problem arises.
They are warm and friendly so we can confide in them in case anything bothers us. It is a good way to lower our stress and burden.
They fill the neighbourhood with positivity and make it a better place to live.
A neighbourhood surrounded by good neighbours is safe for the kids.
Elderly people are treated well and do not feel lonely if they have good neighbours.
Good neighbours are always there for each other. They are sensitive to the needs of one another.
Good neighbours celebrate festivals and other special occasions together. The joy doubles when people celebrate such special days together.
Children who grow in warm and friendly neighborhoods are likely to develop a pleasing personality. They also learn how to share and care.

Neighbours during Earlier Times

Even though it is important to know our neighbours well and maintain a cordial relationship with them, people living in the cities do not make an effort to do so. They usually blame their hectic lifestyle for this. This is quite unlike the people belonging to older generations.

In earlier times, people gave a lot of importance to their neighbours. They made an effort to bond with their neighbours. Their neighbours were an integral part of their lives. They often invited their neighbours to their place. They met regularly during the evening hours. The elderly men in the neighbourhood sat down together post lunch to chit chat. They enjoyed each other’s company until late evening and returned home only around dinner time.

The elderly women went together to the temple during morning or evening hours. They also sat down in the neighbourhood park to chat with each other. The kids, on the other hand, played together for hours. The women in the neighbourhood often went together to the market. They helped each other with household chores. They all lived as one big happy family. This tradition continues in the Indian villages even until today.

We must be good for those living in our neighbourhood if we want to be treated the same way. Our life becomes more enriching and wholesome in the company of good neighbours.

Essay on My Neighbour (500 words) – Essay 4

My experiences with my neighbours.

We live in a society. There are eight families on each floor. There are several floors and many towers in society. This makes it a big neighbourhood. The residential welfare association of our society is very active. They make sure we all celebrate various festivals together. Big events are organized at different festivals. This brings all the neighbours close and helps them bond well. I have had some really good experience living in this neighbourhood but some incidents have not been so good.

Some Good Experiences with My Neighbours

We are on good terms with most of the families living on our floor. My parents understand the importance of maintaining a cordial relationship with the neighbours and thus make an effort to bond with them.

One of the lady living on our floor is very good friend with my grandmother. They both visit the temple during the evening hours. During winter afternoons they sit in the park and knit. My mother often invites her home so that the two elderly ladies can spend time together.

I also have two very good friends in my neighbour. I go with them to the park every evening. We play together as our mothers sit and chat with each other. We also visit each other’s place to play. I feel great to have good friends in my neighbourhood especially because it makes the vacation time a lot more fun. My parents are working. They both go to work in the morning and return only by evening. I stay with my grandparents during the day.

Since they are old they cannot play with me. But they do allow me to call my neighbourhood friends home or let me go there for a few hours after I study for some time. The company of my neighbourhood friends makes my vacations super fun and exciting. I go swimming and cycling with them during the evening hours. The mother of one of my neighbourhood friends accompanies us as we go for such activities.

We exchange gifts with our neighbours on the occasion of Diwali and New Year. We also have lunch or dinner together to celebrate these occasions.

Some Bad Experiences with My Neighbours

While some of our neighbours are really sweet and stand by us in our good and bad times, unfortunately, we also have some troublesome neighbours. We have had our share of bad experiences when it comes to neighbours. Three girls have rented an apartment on our floor. They often play loud music during the late evening hours. This disrupts our sleep. We also have a hard time studying during this time.

We have requested them to keep the volume low many times. But it seems like they do not bother about others. Another one of our neighbours is quite weird. It is a family of four – two kids and their parents. We have tried to approach them and be friends with them. However, it seems like their parents want them to maintain distance from us. They often behave rudely and do not bond well with anyone on the floor.

It is great to have good neighbours. However, not everyone has this privilege. I am glad to have some really nice people in my neighbourhood.

Long Essay on My Neighbour (600 Words) – Essay 5

My memories with my neighbours.

We need to relocate to a new place every few years because of my father’s job. It is difficult to adjust to the new atmosphere. It takes time to adapt to new surroundings and people. However, we have been lucky so far when it comes to neighbours. We have always had good neighbours.

The Old Lady in Our Neighbourhood

We shifted to Lucknow when I was five years old. I really loved that place. We stayed there for three years and I made some really fond memories of that place. I loved our single storey house with a small front lawn, I loved the delicious delicacies of the place, I loved our weekend excursions but most of all I loved my family’s bonding with the old lady in our neighbourhood. Her name was Mrs. Shukla who’s son was preparing for the JEE from best IIT coaching of Lucknow .

She stayed just next to our house and we connected with her very well. I have a faint memory of her coming to our house on the very first day we shifted. She prepared tea and snacks for us and welcomed us to the neighbourhood. We felt at home at once. She sat in her front lawn and knitted sweaters during winter afternoons. My mother often joined her to learn some knitting techniques. She once knitted a small blue sweater for my doll. I was overjoyed to receive it.

Many times when my parents went shopping, they left us at Mrs. Shukla’s place. She took very good care of us. Her grandchildren visited her during the summer vacations. We looked forward to that time as we got along really well with those kids. We often invited them to our place and played all day long. Many times, we also went to their place and it was great fun.

The Punjabi Family in Our Neighbourhood

When I was eight years old, we shifted to Chandigarh. It is a beautiful city. It is very well planned with lovely houses and surroundings. We rented an apartment in a good locality. The atmosphere of the place was quite pleasing and so were our neighbours. Our next door neighbours were a Punjabi family. It was a joint family. There were a total of seven members in the family. Their daughter was almost the same age as mine and I got along really well with her. She often came over to our place during the evening and we played for hours.

Sometimes, we went together to the park to take swings and play badminton. She had two brothers who were older than my brother but very friendly. They always called my brother to play cricket with them. My brother looked forward to playing with them. My mother also became very good friends with their mother. They both went shopping together. They often exchanged recipes and chatted for hours. The two years we spent in Chandigarh were really fun. It would not be wrong to say that the Punjabi family living in our neighbourhood made it even more fun.

The Gujrati Couple

I also cherish the one year we spent in Indore. I was eleven years old when we shifted to this city. It was quite different from the cities I had lived in earlier. A Gujarati couple lived in our neighbourhood. They had bought an apartment close to ours just a few days before we shifted.

So, even they were busy unpacking and decorating their place at the time we shifted. The place was as new to them as it was for us. So, the lady often went out to explore the nearby places with my mother. She cooked delicious curries and often gave us some portion. I loved her warm and friendly nature. Her husband was also very polite and helpful.

Good neighbours enrich our childhood experiences. I am glad we have had some really nice ones. I hope we continue to meet such beautiful and helpful people in the future as well.

Frequently Aksed Questions on Essay on My Neighbour

How can i write about my neighbour.

To write about your neighbour, mention specific qualities or incidents that stand out, like their kindness, helpful nature, or community involvement. Share personal experiences that highlight their character.

What makes a good Neighbour essay?

A good neighbour essay should discuss qualities like friendliness, respect, and helpfulness. It might include examples of supportive incidents, community participation, and ways neighbours contribute to a harmonious living environment.

Who are Neighbours in simple words?

Neighbours are people living near one another. They are often residents of the same area or community, sharing the neighbourhood and possibly local amenities.

What is the role of a neighbor?

The role of a neighbor is to contribute to a peaceful community. They offer help, support local activities, respect boundaries, and maintain friendly relations with others nearby, enhancing communal living.

Who is a true neighbor?

A true neighbor is someone who exhibits compassion and consideration, irrespective of the physical proximity. They extend help when needed, showing empathy, and actively contribute to creating a supportive environment.

Essay On My Neighbour For Classes 1, 2 And 3

Key Points to Remember When Writing an Essay on My Neighbour for Class 1, 2 and 3 Kids

10 lines on ‘my neighbour’ in english, short essay on ‘my neighbour’ in 200 words, long essay on my neighbour for kids, what will your child learn from an essay on neighbours.

A neighbourhood is where many families reside next to each other amicably. Living close to each other, it is one’s neighbours who are always around, be it for having fun together or when in need of help. Children of lower primary classes learn to express their feelings about their families, friends and close ones. It is important to instil values of brethren towards their neighbours too so that they learn to be friendly with them and understand how to be a good neighbour. To write an essay on their neighbours, children will have to demonstrate their language and grammar skills as they think about new ideas, express them in words and articulate their feelings in the composition. It might sound like a challenging assignment. Let us make it easy for your child with these ideas.

Describing their neighbours in an essay could leave children a little perplexed. They may know who their neighbours are; however, writing about them could be a little overwhelming. So if you are wondering how to help children, here are some tips on how to write an essay on neighbours, which may help:

Start the essay with an impressive opening paragraph to get the readers interested and keep reading. Every successive paragraph should build from the one preceding it and focus on the central theme.
Support the main idea with examples and anecdotes, which add some strength to the content.
Every paragraph must focus on a particular aspect. For example – one paragraph could talk about the number of members in the household, and the next could speak about how each one is a distinct personality.
A paragraph could be dedicated to how neighbours play an integral role in one’s life. The concluding paragraph could talk about how essential it is to have good relations with neighbours to live in a society.

An essay for Class 1 on neighbours needs to be crisp and precise. A Class 1 student cannot be expected to write volumes and must be guided to write in simple and short sentences. This sample of a few lines on the topic ‘My Neighbour’ will be a good start for Class 1 students to write an essay:

A neighbour is the closest person with whom we have regular social contact.
They are friends in times of need, joy and sorrow.
Having a good neighbour is a blessing.
We are blessed to have good neighbours like the Kumars.
They’re a small family – Mr Kumar, Mrs Kumar and their son Aakash are like a part of our family.
Friendly, smiling and caring, they always greet us happily.
They are helpful whenever we have a problem in our house, like a leakage or power cut.
Aakash is a little older than me but plays with me like a brother.
The Kumars always share food and sweets with us on special occasions.
We do not miss our family back home with a family like the Kumars as our neighbours.

A short essay on neighbours requires writing a detailed paragraph. Children can collect their thoughts, describe them in a few lines and try to connect the lines in a paragraph or two without missing any important point. Here is a sample essay for children of lower primary classes.

Neighbours play a very important role in one’s life. They are the people who help us all the time. We are lucky to have neighbours who make life simple. Our neighbours, the Joshis are a joint family, living with their two daughters and parents. Senior Mr and Mrs Joshi are very loving. They shower a lot of affection on my family. The Joshi daughters, Shruti and Smriti, are my friends. Smriti and I go to the same school and are classmates. Mr and Mrs Joshi both work. They always invite my family to their home for any special occasion. They love celebrating festivals. They always make sure we are invited to celebrate with them and send us sweets and delicious dishes. They stood by us when we lost our pet dog and helped us during that time of sorrow. I love spending time with the Joshis as they always look after us and treat us well. We are lucky to have such friendly and welcoming neighbours who live with us like a family.

As children progress to Class 3, they would be nearly 7 years old. By now, they are expected to be more expressive and use clear language to articulate their ideas when engaging in essay writing. Here is a sample composition on ‘My Neighbour’ that may help them:

Neighbours are an extended family. They can be a backbone for a family as they reside nearby. In today’s time, neighbours have become very important to communal living as people no longer live with their extended families. Most of us live in nuclear families, and we rely on people who live next door to us for any help and to be with us during times of joy and sorrow.

Our neighbours, the Nairs, are one such family. Like a close-knit family, the Nairs and us live right next to each other, and it is just one common wall that separates our homes. But through these walls and doors, we share a lot in common and are best friends.

The Nairs are a nuclear family like ours with their extended family in Kerala. Both Mr and Mrs Nair work in Infosys and are busy with their work. They have a son, Nirav, who is 6 years old and goes to the same school as me. My mother is a housewife and drops me off at the bus stop to school. My mother often drops Nirav along with me too. Mrs Nair is always grateful for this and makes sure that she thanks my mother every day.

Whenever there is a function or special occasion – be it a birthday, anniversary or festival, Mr and Mrs Nair personally come home to invite us and extend their greetings. Mrs Nair is a good cook and often sends some delicious food over the weekends. Mr Nair is also very skilled at fixing things. From fixing the broken bulb to plugging the leak in the kitchen sink, he has always been a great help to my father. My mother learns many new recipes from Mrs Nair, and they are best friends.

Nirav is a year older than me and is just like an older brother to me. He is respectful, well-mannered and friendly, and I have learnt a lot from him. He is very good at art and helps me with my art projects. It is indeed a pleasure and blessing to have neighbours like the Nairs, and we are always glad to know them as friends and call them our extended family away from home.

Writing an essay on neighbours will be beneficial for your child to develop their vocabulary. It will allow them to voice their feelings for someone who lives close to them. Your child may find it challenging to write about a neighbour who they don’t know as closely as a family member. But this template could help them organise their ideas and present them in a form that will engage the reader.

An essay on ‘My Neighbour’ will also help children understand the importance of neighbours in their lives. Neighbours can be a great source of joy, support and inspiration. With the help of the guidelines provided, your children of classes 1, 2 and 3 will be able to write an excellent essay on the given topic.

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Essay on My Neighbour 500+ Words

In the tapestry of life, “my neighbor” is a thread of connection, support, and community. In this essay, we will explore the significance of “my neighbor,” highlighting their role in fostering a sense of belonging, cooperation, and the creation of strong communities.

Neighbors as a Support System

“My neighbor” is not just someone who lives nearby; they are a source of support. Whether it’s borrowing a cup of sugar or helping with a home repair, neighbors are there when we need them most. According to a study by Harvard University, strong neighborly relationships contribute to improved mental and emotional well-being.

A Sense of Belonging

Neighbors create a sense of belonging in our neighborhoods. Knowing that there are familiar faces next door or across the street helps us feel rooted in our community. This sense of belonging is essential for building strong, connected neighborhoods.

Sharing Moments of Joy

From celebrations to simple gatherings, “my neighbor” often shares moments of joy with us. Whether it’s a block party, a birthday, or a holiday, these shared experiences strengthen our bonds and create lasting memories.

Cooperation in Times of Need

In times of crisis, neighbors come together to support one another. Whether it’s during natural disasters or challenging personal circumstances, neighbors lend a helping hand, demonstrating the power of cooperation and unity within a community.

A Safer Community

Neighbors play a role in keeping our communities safe. When neighbors look out for each other and communicate effectively, it becomes easier to address security concerns and maintain a safe environment for all residents. A study by the National Neighborhood Watch Program highlights the positive impact of neighborly cooperation on crime prevention.

Building Relationships Across Generations

Neighbors often span different generations, providing opportunities for intergenerational connections. These relationships are valuable for sharing wisdom, fostering understanding, and bridging generational gaps.

Shared Resources and Support Networks

Neighbors can form resource-sharing networks, making it easier to access tools, knowledge, and assistance. These networks enhance self-sufficiency and promote a sense of interdependence within the community.

A Diverse Community

Neighbors bring diversity to our lives. Interacting with neighbors from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences broadens our perspectives and enriches our understanding of the world.

Community Events and Initiatives

Neighbors often organize and participate in community events and initiatives that strengthen the bonds within the neighborhood. These activities, such as neighborhood clean-up days or community gardens, foster a spirit of togetherness and pride in the community.

The Ripple Effect

The positive influence of “my neighbor” extends beyond the immediate neighborhood. Strong communities built on neighborly connections contribute to the overall well-being of society. A supportive, connected neighborhood can serve as a model for others, creating a ripple effect of unity and cooperation.

Conclusion of Essay on My Neighbour

In conclusion, “my neighbor” is more than just someone who lives next door. They are integral to the fabric of our communities, contributing to a sense of belonging, cooperation, and unity. Neighbors provide support, create shared experiences, and help build strong, connected neighborhoods. As we reflect on the value of “my neighbor,” we recognize that they play a vital role in shaping the communities we live in and the world we share. The bonds formed with our neighbors are a testament to the enduring power of human connection, and we must cherish and nurture these relationships for the betterment of our neighborhoods and society as a whole.

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My Neighbour Essay in English for Class 3 Students

Essay on my neighbour for class 3 students.

Essay writing is an essential part of the school curriculum. Essay writing is given as class assignments or in the school exam to check students’ imagination and how well they can weave their thoughts into words. It also evaluates a kid’s knowledge of language and grammar. Vedantu provides free essays on My neighbour. A Neighbour is someone who lives next door or near to our house. Neighbours are an important part of society as they are the first point of contact. Get a free essay on My Neighbour for Class 3 kids.

Essay on My Neighbour

Neighbours are an integral part of our lives. They are the ones who live close to us and are often the first point of contact. We share our happiness and sorrows with our neighbours. My neighbour’s name is Mr Shyam Shukla. He is a doctor by profession. He is married and has two children. He has a daughter who is older than me and a son who is my age. His wife is a homemaker. My mother and his wife spend a lot of time together. They are very helpful and generous people.

My neighbour lives in the house opposite us. I often visit his house after school. My son Harsh and I are good friends. We always play together. Whenever I visit his house, Harsh’s mother offers me sweets and chocolates. They are welcoming people and our families share a nice bond. We often go to each other’s houses and also share food. Whenever my mother prepares something special, she offers them. The same is also done by my neighbour. We also go for picnics or outings together.

Neighbours are the ones who are always there at good and bad times. We invite each other on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, etc. My neighbour Mr Shukla is a great doctor. We often take medicine from him at times when someone is not well at home. He is a diligent worker and is very punctual. My father appreciates him a lot and they share a nice camaraderie. We help each other in crucial times and live a life of harmony. My family is blessed to have such a neighbour.

FAQs on My Neighbour Essay in English for Class 3 Students

1. Why is an essay writing important?

Yes, it is that simple - essays are crucial not just for teachers but also for students, and there are several reasons for this. They can help you in improving your thinking, writing skills, and organise your thought process.

Essay Writing Enhances Creativity: Even the most uninteresting things compel you to consider how to address them. Make you gather information, evaluate it, combine it, analyse it, write a summary, and present it creatively. While academic essay writing used to be more dry and passive, with a lot of passive voice sentences throughout the text, creativity now takes centre stage. Of course, this does not imply that students should disregard the structure and general guidelines for writing essays. Creativity manifests itself in a variety of ways, and essay writing aids in the development of the majority of them.

Essay Writing Opens up Career Opportunities: The ability to absorb information, analyse it, and come up with an interesting, insightful, and creative summary is a vital and profitable skill no matter what you do for a job. Programmers, for example, may claim that they do not need to write because they code. True, but they also have to create reports, papers, letters, and other documents. They must communicate in writing and evaluate other people's writing. Writing essays prepares you to communicate in business clearly and succinctly.

Essay Writing Increases your Concentration: There are numerous advantages to writing an essay that is unrelated to the act of writing. Your first responsibility with deadlines will be writing assignments. You must focus on your research. You must remember the deadline, learn how to arrange your time, avoid getting too deep into sources, leave adequate time for editing and proofreading, and so on. All of these actions may appear insignificant, but they organise your brain, allowing you to deal with more complex tasks in life and at work. Many new professionals claim that their first work duties were nothing compared to producing an urgent essay. To know more, click here.

2. How is having good neighbours important?

Neighbors are persons who live next door or within walking distance of us. We are lucky and blessed to live in a neighbourhood with excellent neighbours. Neighbours who are kind and friendly make our stay safer and more pleasurable.

Good neighbours can also be beneficial. We ask our neighbours to keep a watch on our house while my family is on vacation. They are also eager to assist us in watering and feeding our pets. 'Neighbors are better than distant relatives,' says a Chinese saying, emphasising the significance of having friendly neighbours. They are more intimate with us since they live close to us and spend more time with us. Naturally, they can provide us with better aid when we encounter difficulties.

It is crucial to have excellent neighbours because it makes our lives in the neighbourhood safer, happier, and more enjoyable. We also have a higher level of mental clarity. Although we have the ability to choose our friends but not our neighbours, we must keep in mind that we receive what we give. As a result, we should at the very least make an effort to be good neighbours to foster positive connections with our neighbours.

3. How to improve essay writing skills?

The ways to improve essay writing skills are:

Create an Outline: It is crucial to know what you intend to communicate before you start writing an essay. Making a basic outline before you start writing your essay is the easiest approach to focusing on a subject and developing a proper argument. The following aspects make up the basic structure of an academic essay: an introduction with the thesis; the body of the essay, which should comprise separate paragraphs discussing proof that supports the essay; and a conclusion that connects everything.

Use the Right Vocabulary: It is crucial to pay attention to how you use language, especially while writing an academic essay. When writing an academic essay, remember that you are attempting to convince others that you are an expert capable of making a strong case. It is easy to spot when someone is overcompensating in their writing by using big words only to sound knowledgeable. You risk using a word wrongly if you are unsure of its actual meaning. Using esoteric terminology can detract from the clarity of your argument; keep this in mind before reaching for the thesaurus to replace that perfectly good word with something altogether different.

4. How can be maintaining good social relations help?

Maintaining good social relations can help in the following ways:

Increase Confidence and Self-Esteem: People who say they are lonely often have low self-esteem and confidence. Spending time with people you know and enjoy their company might help us gain confidence and improve our self-image.

Achieving a Sense of Purpose: Spending time with our neighbours makes us feel helpful and gives our lives meaning. It feels great to have something to do, somewhere to go, and someone depending on us. When people rely on us, we are more likely to look after ourselves and keep as healthy as possible.

5. Why are people interacting less with neighbours?

To begin with, man is already fighting to find a work-life balance on this competitive day. Expecting someone to make time for their neighbours in this situation is ludicrous. Second, even when people have free time, they prefer to spend it on their favourite leisure activities rather than socialising with others. Furthermore, children were frequently regarded as connecting links between neighbours. With fewer children playing together these days, parent-child interaction has also decreased. Furthermore, crime-based serials have caused residents to be suspicious of any newcomer to the neighbourhood. This restricts their interactions even more. The Vedantu app and website contain a lot of free study materials for students.

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The Coronavirus Crisis

'love and solidarity': amid coronavirus, mutual aid groups resurge in new york city.

Elizabeth Lawrence

When Nancy Perez contracted COVID-19 in March, she stayed in her room for a month, isolating herself from her sons and grandson. The mutual aid group Bed-Stuy Strong regularly sent volunteers to her home with meals for her family. Shelby Knowles for KHN hide caption

Nancy Perez, a 45-year-old resident of the Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, contracted COVID-19 in March. She stayed quarantined in her room for a month to isolate from her two sons and grandson.

A few days before she got the virus, she'd met a volunteer with Bed-Stuy Strong — one of the many mutual aid groups around the country that have rallied to provide help in the face of the pandemic. Bed-Stuy Strong assembled an army of volunteers to help vulnerable neighbors with food deliveries and basic supplies. While Perez was in isolation, volunteers regularly delivered cooked food for her sons, ages 17 and 20, and her 4-year-old grandson.

"If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have survived my quarantine and any other stuff that's been going on," said Perez, who receives disability benefits and scavenges the city for items she can sell to help cover the family's and others' expenses.

Since recovering, Perez has been helping deliver food with other volunteers and she says she's gotten to know neighbors she never would have met before — she stays in constant communication with other volunteers.

"I say it so happily that my tears are coming out right now. Because it's so refreshing," she said. "There is no age, there is no color, there is no race within Bed-Stuy Strong."

People are hurting financially and medically from the coronavirus pandemic. Millions of Americans are unemployed and food insecurity has doubled since the pandemic began. The struggle is widespread, overwhelming public welfare programs in some cases. Many people are looking to their next-door neighbors for help.

New York City has seen an influx of mutual aid groups — a website called Mutual Aid Hub reports 59 operating in the city now. Though the concept is not new, such efforts have gained energy and attention during the pandemic. Mutual aid involves ordinary people volunteering their time and resources to help one another when the government or large institutions have not adequately addressed their needs.

Since her recovery from COVID-19, Nancy Perez has volunteered regularly with Bed-Stuy Strong, a mutual aid group in her Brooklyn neighborhood, Bedford-Stuyvesant. Shelby Knowles for KHN hide caption

Since her recovery from COVID-19, Nancy Perez has volunteered regularly with Bed-Stuy Strong, a mutual aid group in her Brooklyn neighborhood, Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Bringing together new neighbors and old

The resurgence of mutual aid has meant that in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods, these efforts may bring neighbors from different backgrounds closer together.

Alyssa Dizon, a 26-year-old product manager at an urban technology company, volunteers with Bed-Stuy Strong, helping to manage the online system that coordinates grocery deliveries. She moved to the area from New Orleans less than a year ago and found herself meeting more neighbors in the past couple of months while helping with the mutual aid than in the nine months before that.

"So, I am a gentrifier and I'm new to New York," Dizon said. "I feel more connected to this neighborhood now than I have before, and I have heard that sentiment even from people who've lived here much longer."

Willie Tolliver, an associate professor of social work at Hunter College, part of the City University of New York, said mutual aid is deeply rooted in African American and immigrant communities. In his research, he's traced mutual aid among African Americans in New York City to as early as the late 1700s. He noted the mutual aid ideology embodied by the Black Panther Party , which coordinated free breakfast programs and errands for the elderly.

Tolliver said these organizations had to exist because the communities "could not depend upon their government to look out for them the way the government did for everyone else."

Tolliver said he's not confident that the bonds forged in gentrifying neighborhoods will be long-lasting, but people are at their best in moments of disaster.

"Hope lives in the possibility of a collective finding itself in moments like this," he said.

Grassroots organizing

Bed-Stuy Strong uses donations from the community and beyond to purchase groceries and essential supplies for neighbors. Those in need can text or call the group with a delivery request, which gets assigned to a volunteer through Bed-Stuy Strong's online network. The volunteer then picks up the groceries and delivers them to the recipient's door. Anyone can become a volunteer — though the use of computer messaging excludes those without access to technology.

Long-standing community organizations also have established mutual aid delivery services. Imani Henry, 50, is the executive director of Equality for Flatbush , a community group known locally as E4F that is dedicated to addressing two pressing neighborhood issues: gentrification and police violence.

Henry, a diversity trainer in his day job, started E4F in 2013, as affordable housing in Brooklyn shrank while higher-income residents streamed in, displacing people who had lived there for years.

"We're grassroots," Henry said. "All of our organizing is led by the people directly impacted. We strategize together; that's how we already were."

At the start of the pandemic, E4F joined with the Brooklyn Anti-Gentrification Network to set up a system to help residents with groceries and other material needs, and to connect people with services such as child care and other food assistance programs. Volunteers use donated money to buy needed items, and deliver two large bags each month for people who sign up.

Henry said that, as a child of Caribbean immigrants, he grew up in a family that looked out for and supported other people in their community. During the current crisis, he has been amazed by the solidarity of neighbors and the energy of volunteers.

"We're not doing relief work," Henry said. "We do not treat people in that way. It's about love and solidarity. It's about, do you love this person?"

E4F has also been active in the "Black Lives Matter" protests spurred by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Henry said volunteers have effectively split into two groups: One helps lead protests, and the other abstains so members can safely continue delivering aid packages.

'Everybody shares'

Patricia Hall, a resident of another Brooklyn neighborhood, Crown Heights, was watching television one night when she saw a news report about E4F's delivery program. Hall, who is in her 50s and out of work, called Henry and soon was organizing deliveries for herself and many of her fellow tenants.

Mutual aid work is going on even within her tenant community, Hall said.

"If they give lots of coffee, I don't drink coffee, but what do I do?" Hall said. "I would give it to my neighbor. So this building here is a community building. Everybody shares in this building. Everybody shares and helps one another."

Dizon, the Bed-Stuy Strong volunteer, said it's inevitable you will develop a bond with someone when you take their grocery list and step into their shoes to help them with basic needs. It's intimate.

"If you've never experienced food insecurity before, I think there's a lot of power in being this close to it and to empathize and hear the struggle of a stranger who is very close to you," Dizon said.

Perez wants this work to continue so people can make a change.

"We can make a wave at the end, if we have enough ripples," she said.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

coronavirus in the U.S.

The Importance of Neighbourhoods for Our Wellbeing

Is the neighbourhood still important in today’s individualistic and globalized society? Or has the residential neighbourhood lost its significance as source of social capital? In this guest post, Marloes Hoogerbrugge, from the Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organisation (EHERO), shares some of the latest research on this topic.

In our modern and globalized world, social relationships increasingly extend the boundaries of the neighbourhood and have become more regional, (inter-)national and virtual in scope. Some researchers argue that increased mobility, changing working patterns, and pluralization of lifestyles have gradually dissolved traditional neighbourhood contacts. This is proved through the decreasing number of people who have frequent contact with their neighbours and the declining social cohesion at the level of the neighbourhood.

However, other researchers argue that the globalization and individualization of society results in a greater significance of the neighbourhood, as local social interaction and the familiar landmarks of the neighbourhood may offer sources of comfort and security to residents. This brings us to the question of whether the social context of the neighbourhood is still important for people’s life satisfaction and wellbeing. Time to take a closer look!

Neighbourhood still matters…

Recently, the Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organisation (EHERO) analysed the importance of neighbourhood social contacts and social cohesion on people’s individual self-reported life satisfaction. This analysis was based on a survey among almost ten thousand residents of the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. In the survey, social contacts are measured by questions about how frequently people talk with their neighbours, and social cohesion is measured by the perceived feelings of general trust in people in the neighbourhood, and whether people can get along with each other.

Overall, the residents of Rotterdam are rather satisfied with their life; their average score is 7.7 on a 10-point scale. Only 8.3 percent of the respondents rated their satisfaction with life with a 5 or lower. We found support that both social contacts and social cohesion are positively and significantly associated with residents’ life satisfaction on average. In other words, neighbourhoods are still important to people’s sense of satisfaction with their lives.

… but there are differences across different groups…

However, if we only look at the average impact of the neighbourhood on life satisfaction this can obscure substantial differences across different kinds of residents. Arguably, the importance of neighbourhood-based social capital is likely to differ across people: for some people, the neighbourhood might have neither a positive nor a negative influence on their life satisfaction, while for other people the neighbourhood plays an important role in their daily lives. It is therefore important to extend analysis to different groups of people within the data. We did this through focusing on various individual characteristics like marital status, employment status and health.

… related to neighbourhood dependency

We found that the association between valuing the neighbourhood and life satisfaction is much stronger for residents who spend most of their time there and those who may be vulnerable, lonely or isolated. For example, those who are living on welfare support and elderly and/or retired people tend to highly valued the neighbourhood because they are likely to spend more time there. Moreover, we found that the neighbourhood is very important to people who are divorced or widowed. A possible explanation might be that they depend more on local social contacts. Finally, the neighbourhood matters more to people with a poor health, as it is likely that they are especially in need of social support and help from their neighbours.

In broad terms, the case of Rotterdam suggests that especially in neighbourhoods with a high percentage of vulnerable people, enhancing neighbourhood-based social capital can have a positive influence on residents’ life satisfaction. The importance of the neighbourhood is related to neighbourhood dependency and whether people are more or less forced to invest in local social contacts.

Find out more about Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organisation (EHERO) here.

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Essay on Good Neighbour

Students are often asked to write an essay on Good Neighbour in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Good Neighbour

Introduction.

A good neighbour is a great blessing. They can make our life comfortable, secure and pleasant. Living beside such good neighbours makes life enjoyable.

Qualities of a Good Neighbour

A good neighbour is friendly and considerate. They respect your privacy but are always there to lend a helping hand. They keep their surroundings clean and do not cause any inconvenience.

Importance of Good Neighbours

Good neighbours make a neighbourhood a better place to live. They help build a sense of community, provide support during tough times and bring joy to everyday life.

In conclusion, good neighbours are important for a harmonious living environment. They can make our lives happier and more fulfilling.

250 Words Essay on Good Neighbour

A good neighbour is a priceless treasure, offering a sense of community, security, and mutual understanding. The importance of good neighbours cannot be overstated, especially in an increasingly disconnected world.

Characteristics of a Good Neighbour

A good neighbour is respectful, considerate, and helpful. They respect boundaries, both physical and emotional, and understand the importance of privacy. They are considerate, ensuring their actions do not disrupt the peace and tranquility of the neighbourhood. However, their most defining trait is their willingness to help in times of need, be it a minor inconvenience or a major crisis.

The Role of Good Neighbours in Community Building

Good neighbours play a crucial role in community building. They foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie, creating an environment of mutual support and cooperation. They contribute to the overall well-being of the community, promoting harmony and unity.

In conclusion, good neighbours are an integral part of our lives. They add value to our existence, offering support and companionship. They help create a community that is vibrant, inclusive, and harmonious. In the grand scheme of things, good neighbours help us realize that we are not alone, that we are part of a larger whole, and that together, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.

500 Words Essay on Good Neighbour

The concept of a good neighbour.

The concept of a good neighbour is not merely a person who lives next door. It extends far beyond physical proximity and encompasses a wide range of social, emotional, and moral aspects. A good neighbour is a vital component of a thriving community, contributing to the overall quality of life and societal harmony.

A good neighbour is defined by several key qualities. Foremost among these is respect for boundaries. This implies not only physical boundaries but also emotional and psychological ones. A good neighbour understands the importance of privacy and avoids intruding uninvited into others’ lives.

Equally important is a sense of community. Good neighbours actively participate in community activities, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. They are not isolated entities but integral parts of the community fabric, contributing to its vibrancy and vitality.

A good neighbour is also reliable and supportive. They offer help when needed, providing emotional support in times of crisis and practical assistance in daily life. This reliability creates a safety net within the community, fostering mutual trust and cooperation.

The Role of Good Neighbours in Society

Good neighbours play a significant role in shaping society. They contribute to the social capital of a community, which is the collective value of all social networks and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other.

Neighbourhoods with high social capital tend to have lower crime rates, better child development, and higher educational achievement. Good neighbours, through their actions and interactions, contribute to this social capital, enhancing the overall quality of life in the community.

Good Neighbours and Personal Development

On a personal level, good neighbours can significantly influence one’s development. They can serve as role models, demonstrating values such as respect, empathy, and cooperation. Interactions with good neighbours can also help develop social skills and emotional intelligence, crucial for personal and professional success.

The Responsibility of Being a Good Neighbour

Being a good neighbour is a responsibility that comes with its rewards. It requires effort and commitment, a willingness to invest time and energy in building relationships and contributing to the community. However, the rewards are substantial, ranging from a safer, more supportive environment to a more fulfilling, meaningful life.

In conclusion, the concept of a good neighbour extends far beyond physical proximity. It encompasses qualities such as respect for boundaries, a sense of community, and reliability. Good neighbours contribute significantly to society, enhancing social capital and influencing personal development. Being a good neighbour is a responsibility that comes with substantial rewards, making it a worthwhile pursuit for all.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on My Dream To Become A Doctor
Essay on Importance of Prayer in Our Daily Life
Essay on My Neighbour

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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Friendship - Blog

9 ways to be a good neighbor.

Outreach Strategies , Friendship , Relationships

A year after settling into our new home, we had the idea to have a little, informal block party and invite the neighbors around us whom we knew — about 15 or 20 people.

At the time, we had no grandiose visions of what God could do with that small step; we just thought it would be fun to get some neighbors together.

Small Steps Can Lead to Big Changes

That was over eight years ago and I’m amazed at the community that has grown in our little village of about 200 homes. We now have a Facebook group, a neighborhood watch, running groups and tons of fun annual events: an Easter egg hunt, a Fourth of July bike parade and a Christmas party where Santa makes an appearance (along with a Christmas lights competition).

A few years ago, we worked together with our neighbors and threw a Halloween extravaganza where kids picked up treasure maps and followed them around to 12 various stations for hot chocolate, s’mores, cider, a haunted garage, hayrides, movies and popcorn. We encouraged neighbors to stay outside that evening and organized people into station teams. Not only was the night really fun for both kids and adults but it was also a huge community builder!

The Impact of Community

What’s made planning these events so rewarding is seeing how it impacts peoples’ lives. I remember sitting at a ladies’ night out event when a newly divorced woman who just moved to the neighborhood shared that it was her first time being on her own. She turned to look each woman in the eyes as she thanked us for being an open, welcoming community for her.

Community is watching someone’s kid for the day if needed. It’s having someone get your mail while you’re gone or knowing you can ask for sugar when you’ve run out. It’s watching your kids run around with ten other kids behind your house and hearing them all laugh and yell from your kitchen window. It’s knowing that help is literally right next door when — not if — you need it.

9 Things You Can Do to Build Neighborhood Community

Evaluate what you can and cannot offer. I have four small children, so ongoing weekly commitments aren’t realistic, but I can plan a few parties for the year. Remind yourself that God will use your unique wiring, temperament, family dynamics, interests, and even your limitations to bring glory to himself. There is no cookie-cutter way to neighbor. Here are a few principles and ideas to help us as we seek to be good neighbors.

1. Gather a Few Neighbors for a Meal.

An invitation to your home is a way to make a big step forward in relationships with your neighbors. Some friends of ours wanted a simple way to do this, so they set up a few folding tables and chairs and invited the few houses around them for ice cream.

2. Remember People and Their Names.

I keep a note on my phone for neighborhood stuff so that when I meet someone at the pool, I have a quick way to jot down names. Listen when people are talking, and remember them. It communicates that you see and value them.

3. Put Yourself Out There.

There’s a vulnerability in taking the first step, especially when you have no idea what you’re doing. But often, people are just waiting for someone else to take the initiative.

4. Be Generous.

When we were first starting, we didn’t have a budget. We used to buy all the food for the Easter Egg hunt as well as the eggs and candy. Other neighbors would pitch in and help cover costs and bring utensils, tablecloths and so on. We saw all of it as an investment in the neighborhood, and it really helped in the initial stages to build momentum.

5. Be Available, and Say Yes When You Can.

Try being outside more. Take walks, spend time in your front yard, and wave and say hi to people. If you live in an apartment, spend time in the common areas. All these things say, “I’m available, I’m here.” And when your neighbor asks for help (it takes time and trust to get here), say yes if you can.

6. Get Others Involved!

This is a big deal. People will feel more connected to the neighborhood if they’re personally invested and have served even in a small way.

7. Be Resourceful.

One night I Googled “Block Party City of Columbia grant.” Within 10 minutes, I had filled out a few simple questions and applied for $250 for a popcorn machine — all from my iPhone. A few weeks later, we were approved! Local businesses may be willing to donate things for free as an advertisement.

8. Have Ultimate Motives, Not Ulterior Motives.

Ultimate motives are the larger hopes, dreams and desires you have that shape who you are. My husband and I have talked about our ultimate desire to see an umbrella of God’s common grace extend over our neighborhood along with our desire for our neighbors to know Jesus Christ as their friend and Savior. We care about their gardens and jobs and kids and the bachelor’s programs they’re finishing and their aged parents. Small talk takes on new meaning when you value the ordinary parts of people’s lives without feeling like you’ve got to somehow make the conversation “get to church stuff.”

9. Practice the Art of Receiving.

In their book, The Art of Neighboring, authors Dave Runyon and Jay Pathak talk about what it means to receive from our neighbors: “If we don’t allow people to meet any of our needs, we limit what God wants to do in our neighborhood and in our life. Our tendency is to put ourselves in positions of power — in this case, always being the one to give. ... When giving is two-sided, everyone feels a sense of worth. [Receiving]takes humility.”

If you don’t know your neighbors, take the time to stop and introduce yourself when you see them.
Invite them over for dinner (even if it’s just pizza).
Have a bonfire in your backyard and invite them to join you for s’mores.
If you have young kids, you could host a children’s activity.
See if there are any existing neighborhood groups in person or online, like an HOA or Facebook group where you can start meeting people and gauge interest in neighborhood events.
Be equipped to help people on their spiritual journeys as you have the opportunity.
Read about how holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas can be great opportunities for engaging your neighbors.
If you live in a city and want to build community with your neighbors, Cru City can be a great resource.

Are All Your Friends Just Like You?

What American Christians miss by not building friendships with people who are different from them.

Essay on My Neighbour & Neighbourhood | 100, 150, 200, 300 & 400 + Words

Essay on My Neighbour & Neighbourhood edumantra.net

Our friendly neighbours are an invaluable asset to our community. They offer a sense of security and belonging that cannot be found elsewhere. Here are short and long essays about my neighbour for all classes.

Write a paragraph on the topic in about 80 words: A Friendly Neighbour

Ans. A Friendly Neighbour

A friendly neighbour is a boon of God. He creates heaven in our surroundings. He makes our life blissful and enjoyable. Neighbourly charity is the most desirable quality of a neighbour. A friendly neighbour stands by us through thick and thin. He shares our weal and woe. He is sympathetic , tolerant, peace-loving, broadminded and disciplined. 1 feels that it is my good luck to have friendly neighbours. Their company ennobles us and teaches us to be good and friendly towards others. May our friendly neighbour live long!

Download the above Paragraph in PDF

Essay on my neighbour- 100 words.

Our neighbours are a source of incredible support and kindness. Whether it’s helping us with yard work or sharing their home-grown produce, they are always with us. We share joyous moments with them. They also stand with us during tough times. However, being a good neighbour goes beyond what they do for us. It’s about the inspiration they provide. Their acts of kindness motivate us to be better individuals, to care for people around us. They also strive to make a positive difference in our community. Let us raise an attitude to be wonderful neighbours. whose warmth and compassion continue to permeate throughout our neighbourhood.

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Essay on My Neighbour- 150 Words

My neighbor is an elderly woman. She is a remarkable person who has taught me so much about life. She has lived in our community for over fifty years. She knows everyone by name. Her kindness and generosity are unparalleled . She always goes out of her way to help anyone in need. One thing that stands out about my neighbor is her love for gardening. Her yard is like a haven, with beautiful flowers blooming all year round. Whenever I visit her, we spend hours talking about the different types of plants and their unique characteristics. Another admirable quality about my neighbor is her resilience during tough times. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, she never gave up and always found a way to overcome them. Overall, my neighbor serves as an inspiration to me every day. She reminds me of the importance of compassion, hard work, and perseverance even when things get tough.

Essay on my Friendly Neighbour edumantra.net

Essay on my Friendly Neighbour- 200 Words

I always enjoy getting to know my next-door neighbours. We share common interests and often get along great. They’re always so friendly and I really feel like we’re friends. One thing that I really appreciate about them is how they always take the time to chat with me. They’re always willing to have a conversation and it’s nice to know that I can go to them for support or just for a good laugh. I really feel like I have a lot of respect for them, and I would be lost without them around. I hope we can continue to stay good friends for years to come! Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with my next-door neighbour. We got to talk about everything from the weather to their kids and we even spent some time discussing with me. It was great to get an inside look at what goes on in their lives and it was fascinating to hear about all of the different things that they enjoy doing. I think it’s important for us all to get out there and meet new people, especially if we want to stay healthy and happy. If you’re ever feeling lonely or bored, why not give talking to your neighbours a try? You might be surprised by how interesting they can be!

Paragraph on My Neighbourhood-

My neighbourhood is like a small town within the city. It’s filled with a diverse group of people from all walks of life, and I love that about it. There’s always something happening, whether it’s a community event or just neighbours gathering on their front lawns to chat. I especially enjoy walking through the tree-lined streets during the fall when the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red. The air is cool, which makes for a perfect walk around the block. There are also plenty of local shops and restaurants in my neighbourhood, each with its unique character and charm. I often find myself getting lost in one-of-a-kind stores or trying out new eateries that have popped up since my last visit but what really sets my neighbourhood apart is its strong sense of community. Everyone knows everyone else here, which fosters an atmosphere where people look out for one another. Whether it’s lending someone a cup of sugar or helping shovel snow off driveways during winter storms, we’re all willing to lend a hand when needed. Overall, I feel incredibly fortunate to live in such a wonderful neighbourhood full of vibrant culture and warm-hearted individuals who truly care about their community.

Descriptive Paragraph on Our Friendly Neighbours 300 Words

Living in a community surrounded by friendly neighbours is a delightful experience. Their warm smiles, helpful gestures and comforting presence make us feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Let’s discuss unique qualities that make our neighbourhood stand out. Neighbours are often regarded as the unsung heroes of our daily lives. They form an integral part of our community and contribute to making it a better place to live in. From sharing a cup of sugar to lending a listening ear, neighbours provide us with comfort and support that we cannot find anywhere else. Our friendly neighbours are always there for us when we need them, whether it’s helping us move furniture or looking after our pets while we’re away on vacation. Their kind gestures go beyond just being polite; they create a positive atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome and appreciated. It is because of these individuals that neighbourhoods become more than just streets filled with houses. They become warm and welcoming communities where people can come together and build meaningful relationships with one another. In short, our friendly neighbours make life so much richer by showing us what kindness truly means daily. Our friendly neighbours have been an integral part of our life, providing us with a sense of security and comfort. We are thankful for the relationships we have built with them over the years and for their support in times of need. They care about our wellbeing and look after us when things get tough. Through their kindness, they remind us that no matter how different life can be at times, there is always someone nearby to help in times of need.

Paragraph on Our Friendly Neighbours edumantra.net

Descriptive Paragraph on Our Friendly Neighbours 500 + Words

Introduction-

We all know that having good neighbours can make a huge difference in our lives. They can lend us a cup of sugar, take care of our pets while we’re away, or just simply provide some great company when we need it the most. But being a good neighbour is not only about receiving help from others – it’s also about giving back and creating a sense of community around us. Let’s explore what makes someone a good neighbour and how you can become one too. Let’s talk about friendly neighbours!

Who are our friendly neighbours?

Our friendly neighbours be young families, retirees, single professionals, or anyone in between. What makes them friendly is their willingness to connect with others and build relationships within the community. A good neighbour is always there for you when you need help. Whether it’s lending a hand with moving furniture or simply checking on your house while you’re away on vacation, they are reliable and dependable. Friendly neighbours also show kindness and empathy towards others. They take the time to get to know their neighbours’ names, interests, and needs. This helps create a sense of connection that goes beyond just living next door. Moreover, our friendly neighbours contribute positively to the neighbourhood by looking out for each other’s safety and well-being. For example, they may report suspicious activity to local authorities or organize community events that bring people together. In short, our friendly neighbours are those who care about building strong relationships within their community through acts of kindness, reliability, and positivity. So, let’s all strive to be like these wonderful individuals!

How can we be good neighbours?

Being a good neighbour is not only about being friendly but also about respecting each other’s space and privacy. Here are some ways to be a good neighbour:

Introduce yourself: Take the initiative to introduce yourself to your new neighbours or someone who recently moved in next door.
Keep noise levels down: It’s essential to keep the volume low while playing music, watching TV, or having parties at home.
Offer help when needed: If you know that your neighbour is going through a tough time, offer them assistance if possible.
Respect their property: Never trespass on their property without permission and don’t let your pets roam free on their lawn.
Be mindful of shared spaces: Clean up after using shared spaces such as laundry rooms or hallways.
Communicate effectively: If there are any issues between neighbours, approach them directly and communicate effectively instead of escalating it into an argument.
Remember special occasions: Show appreciation by celebrating special occasions like birthdays and holidays with small gestures like baked goods or cards for your neighbours. Being a good neighbour requires effort from both sides but will lead to more harmonious living conditions for everyone involved

Being a Good Neighbour Benefits Everyone

Being a good neighbour is not only beneficial for you, but it also benefits everyone around you. When we talk about neighbours, we usually think of people who live next door to us or in the same building. However, being a good neighbour extends beyond just that. Firstly, being a good neighbour promotes harmony and creates positivity in your community. It builds trust among different households and helps foster relationships with people from various backgrounds. This results in safer communities where everyone looks out for one another. Secondly, helping your neighbours when they need it can create long-lasting friendships and strong bonds within the community. Small gestures like offering help with groceries or shoveling snow can go a long way towards creating goodwill. Thirdly, being a good neighbour provides an opportunity to learn new things from others. You may get to know someone who has experienced something like what you’re going through and get valuable advice. Promoting kindness towards our neighbours sets an excellent example for future generations on how important it is to care for each other as human beings sharing this planet together. Being a good neighbour benefits everyone by fostering positivity in our communities, creating lasting friendships and stronger bonds between people from diverse backgrounds while setting an excellent example of kindness toward others that will be passed down through generations.

Having friendly neighbours is a true blessing that can make our lives happier and easier. By being good neighbours ourselves, we not only contribute to a positive community but also benefit from it. Whether it’s lending a helping hand, sharing resources or simply being kind and respectful towards each other, small acts of kindness can go a long way in building strong relationships with those around us. So let’s take the time to get to know our neighbours and show them that they matter. After all, everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated! Let’s be the kind of neighbour we would like to have ourselves. By doing so, we can create a harmonious neighbourhood where people look out for each other and find joy in simple things like saying hello or sharing a smile.

What are 10 qualities of a good neighbour? 1.Friendliness: A good neighbour is approachable, kind, and welcoming, fostering a sense of community. 2.Respectful: They respect boundaries, privacy, and property, understanding the importance of personal space. 3.Considerate: A good neighbour is mindful of noise levels, especially during late hours, and takes care not to disturb others. 4.Helpful: They are willing to lend a hand when needed, whether it’s helping with chores, providing support during difficult times, or sharing resources. 5.Trustworthy: Being a reliable and trustworthy neighbour means respecting commitments and keeping promises. 6.Communication: A good neighbour maintains open lines of communication, fostering healthy relationships and addressing any concerns or conflicts that may arise. 7.Safety-conscious: They prioritize the safety of their neighbours, taking precautions to ensure a secure living environment. 8.Inclusive: A good neighbour embraces diversity, respects different backgrounds and cultures, and promotes inclusivity within the community. 9.Community-minded: They actively participate in community events, initiatives, and activities, contributing to the betterment of the neighborhood. 10.Positive attitude: A good neighbour exudes positivity, spreading goodwill and creating a harmonious atmosphere within the community.

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My Neighbours Essay in English for Students [Easy Words]

January 5, 2021 by Sandeep

Essay on My Neighbour: Neighbours are generally the first point of contact in our surroundings. They are integral members of our lives with whom we tend to share our joys, sorrows and happiness. Neighbours extend a helping hand during bad times and lift our spirits during good times. Inviting neighbours and spending time with them is part of our everyday lives.

Essay on My Neighbours 200 Words in English

Below we have provided My Neighbour Essay in English, suitable for class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Neighbours are people who reside next door or near our house. They are an integral part of our lives and can belong to different communities or countries. Having good neighbours is a blessing because they become a part of our family and are always ready to help us during hard times. They share happiness and sorrows with us, and when our family is not around, they comfort us with their company.

I have such a kind-hearted, humble and sympathetic person who lives next door. Her name is Sonalee Shirke, who works as a software engineer in a reputed company. She is an ideal neighbour who helps me to solve my problems. Though she is older to me, she is a fun-loving, merriest and vibrant individual I have ever seen. Her mature behaviour and experience always guide me and save me from pitfalls.

I share and discuss everything with her. She is the most caring, unselfish and loving person. Her amicable and helping character is something which stands out in our building, making her the most lovable person in our group. During festivals, she is the one who contributes and takes the initiative to bring people together and celebrate every function heartily.

Then others are a nuisance to our society. They dislike it when children play and do not participate in celebrations. We cannot expect any help from them as they act as a can of worms. Moreover, their actions always display backbiting, carping and putting their noses in others life. Such negative surrounding affects many and creates an unhealthy environment.

General Reading
Academic Reading
IELTS Writing Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 1

Essay#67 | Relationship with Neighbours

Ielts writing module.

The IELTS writing task 2 in the General Training module is always a discursive essay question that requires you to write about a contemporary social issue. You are given a point of view, an argument, or a problem, and are asked for your opinion. The following are some of the typical tasks that you might be required to do:

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of something.
Outline the reasons for a problem and suggest solutions.
Express views on an issue.
State whether you agree or disagree with a view.
Take a side in an argument over an issue.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some parents buy their children a large number of toys to play with.

What are the advantages and disadvantages for the child of having a large number of toys?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer.

In the past, neighbours formed an important part of people’s social lives and they helped them when they had problems. Nowadays, people often do not even know their neighbours and in consequence, they live much more isolated lives.

There are a number of reasons why we have less contact with our neighbours. Firstly, our lifestyles are more mobile. This means people may change the area where they live quite frequently and this causes their relationships with their neighbours to be more superficial. Secondly, nowadays people often live and work in different places. This leads to people forming closer relationships with work colleagues than the ones they have with their neighbours. Finally, modern lifestyles make us spend more time inside our houses watching television, and when we go out, we travel by car. Consequently, we do not speak to the people in our neighbourhood so much.

There are a number of ways in which I think contact between neighbours can be improved. First of all, local authorities can provide communal areas such as playgrounds for children and community halls so that there are places where neighbours can meet and make friends. Next, I think that when new neighbours come to the street, the people living there ought to introduce themselves and welcome them. Lastly, people living in a street or small district should form neighbourhood associations and meet regularly to discuss the things which affect them.

In conclusion, these suggestions will probably not make neighbours as important in our lives as they were in the past. However, they will help our relationships with our neighbours to become more useful and valuable.

(270 words)

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Table#8 | Worldwide Market Share of the Notebook Computer

The table below shows the worldwide market share of the notebook computer market for manufacturers in the years 2006 and 2007.

Table#7 | Teacher Training Qualifications

The table below shows the number of students living in the UK gaining English language teacher training qualifications in 2007/8 and 2008/9, and the proportion of male qualifiers.

5 Feel-Good Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Quarantine

Right on their block, these Texans are keeping each other positive in this pandemic era.

Of all the things we’ve learned this past year, one that deeply resonates, perhaps more than most: In challenging times when you can’t have close friends or family nearby, your neighbors can fill that void. In this exclusive OprahMag.com portfolio, meet five sets of strangers who’ve weathered both a viral pandemic, and then a debilitating winter storm, by relying on each other.

At first bound only by the East Austin streets they live on, they came together in surprising ways to give each other a lift (or a laugh), and make the day-to-day so much better. (As one remarked, “There’s always been a sense of community here, and in the pandemic, that’s been beautifully amplified.”) Their stories of big gestures and small acts of kindness remind us that there can still be real, profound beauty in a neighborhood block—if you just know where to find it.

Rose and Thor

rose smith, 54 with husband charles smith, 60

People call me Coach. They’ll be like, “Just call Coach. If she doesn’t have it, she can tell you how to get it or who to go to.” I’m the founder of Black Women in Business [a leadership- and entrepreneurship-focused nonprofit]. When the pandemic hit, we started providing groceries to those in need and masks for essential workers. Our neighborhood is near and dear to me because my husband Charles was born and raised here. He’s been in the home we live in now for 58 years!

Our neighbor Thor is a renowned percussionist for [the rock band] the Swans and also a handyman and a sculptor. He’s eccentric with a capital E. I remember passing his house for the first time and seeing this totem pole–type thing in front. I’m thinking, What’s going on there? And people are like, Oh, that’s Thor.

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You don’t invite Thor over; he just comes over. Charles will be putting something on the pit and Thor will be like, “Hey, what you got cooking?” You can tell he’s genuine. He makes it his business to go all over, fixing things, checking in on people...I’m so grateful whenever I see him walking up and down our street. I can count on him to be in the trenches with me. The pandemic has been an eye-opening time, and mentally it would be isolating and stressful without his smiling face.

I am not shy. I think people can be bashful about storming into other people’s spaces, and that’s kind of a shame. I just do it. That’s how you build community.

Central East Austin is really diverse. This community is magical. I’m in a band and when people come over to rehearse, we walk around the neighborhood and they’re amazed that everybody knows each other. I started volunteering when I first moved in, and that’s how I got to know Charles’ dad, who was on the neighborhood board. We run a low-income housing program called Blackland, which rents about 50 houses to low-income families. It’s on a shoestring budget so I’m fixing up some of the houses myself. I also make enormous public art commemorating the history of the neighborhood. And my day job is plumbing. That’s what I’m up to these days, balancing the volunteer work with paid work.

In the past I wasn’t around much because of the band, but this year I have been. The pandemic hit our area hard; several of my neighbors had COVID. But we’ve got a good mix of people with different skills who want to help others. Rose is at the center of this network. She takes on all this social work herself and just makes things happen. When she smiles, she’s so beautiful, you’re just like, What can I do for you?

Shannon and Sana

shannon montoya, 35 with husband jason, 36, and son camden, 15 months

Shannon says:

We live in a young, energetic area. There’s always been a sense of community here, and in the pandemic that’s been beautifully amplified. I’m part of the “new parent support group,” where parents have given us swaddles, I donated my breast milk to a local mom who had just adopted, and we all trade baby clothes and gear. Neighbors will grocery shop for you any time if you post in the Facebook group. And we support each others’ “homemade hustles”—baking, cooking, crafting, dog-walking. One neighbor who volunteers at a farm and food bank created a “front porch bodega” with all her spoils, free to any and all in need.

Our next-door neighbors Sana and Munir have a baby, Camila, who is a few months older than [our son] Camden. They are first-generation from Pakistan and Sana’s mother lives with them. She feeds us Pakistani meals every week! We’ve had challenging conversations. Jason is Hispanic and has been able to talk freely about racism and inequality with them, and they’ve shared stories with us that were heartbreaking and eye-opening. We have supported each other through pregnancy, losing and gaining jobs, the loss of parents and siblings, and the mental and emotional agony of the pandemic. We’ve also been picking things up for each other at Costco, and Jason taught Munir to change the oil in his car so he wouldn’t have to bring it in. Having this support system within arm’s reach during COVID has been a true blessing.

We have supported each other through pregnancy, losing and gaining jobs, the loss of parents and siblings, and the mental and emotional agony of the pandemic.

When we moved in, Shannon and Jason were doing yard work and the husbands hit it off talking about grass. We didn’t see each other much pre-COVID but we became friends. I was there for Shannon during her pregnancy because I had just gone through it. She lost her brother during that time, and I had lost my dad so I knew that grief. We did our best to show up for them. When Shannon went into labor early, Munir and I got the house ready, and the night they came home, Munir took Jason to Target with our baby list to get everything they needed.

With the pandemic, our only outlet was going on walks together. Shannon and I would put the kids in the strollers and laugh, cry or vent. When George Floyd and other unarmed Black men and women were murdered, we had deep conversations with Jason and Shannon about systemic racism and social justice. On the day of the insurrection, I texted Shannon, “Hey, can I meet you outside?” and we ran out to give each other hugs.

I don’t know if this is uniquely our neighborhood or not, but if you post on the community page, people respond at all hours. During the big winter storm, someone started a Google doc so you could list emergency items you needed, and people with four-wheel drive volunteered to get it or rescue anyone snowed in. It was pretty sweet to see that.

Raasin and Reverend Dixon

raasin mcintosh, 38, at right with partner alexandria anderson, 35

Raasin says:

This neighborhood is historically Black and has tons of character. The first thing my partner Alexandria and I did when we moved in is join the Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association, and now she’s the vice president. That’s how we got to know the stories of the streets and the people who came before us. We’re friends with people like Wilhemina Delco, the first Black female elected to represent Travis County in the Texas House of Representatives, and Reverend Freddie Dixon, who was the pastor of one of the oldest Black churches in Austin. They’re huge figures who give us knowledge about how to build a resilient community.

Alexandria is a health and wellness coach and I’m the founder and creative director of Raasin in the Sun, a nonprofit focusing on local art and environmental initiatives. During the pandemic I started running errands and doing house repairs for neighbors. We’ve both been helping the older ones with technology so they can get online for association meetings and stay engaged.

Reverend Dixon comes every week to work out with Alexandria in our garage-gym setup. Other times I talk with him in our backyard to keep him busy. My dad couldn’t be here when Alexandria and I got engaged in December, so Reverend Dixon took me to pick out the ring. We’re always fussing at him, like, “Wear a mask!” and “Don’t go out for groceries! We’ll get them!” We would be lost without him.

Reverend Dixon says:

Raasin and Alexandria are picking my brain all the time. My wife Melonie is president of the neighborhood association and Alexandria is vice president, so we work with them on trying to keep the history of our area alive. Raasin’s organization oversees beautiful painted murals around the city and I help with historical references so they can depict what the community was like and is about. We’ll also just sit in the yard and have snacks together.

One evening during the pandemic Raasin asked if I would help her select a ring for Alex. Her daddy lives out of town and couldn’t be there, and she said I remind her of him a whole lot. I was happy she gave me that honor. I took her to a jeweler I know, and the one she picked was elegant. When her daddy did drop in on them [eventually], she called me: “Reverend Dixon, come on over here to the house, I want you to meet him!” We broke bread together and that was a great fellowship for me.

I’ve been in Austin so long that I get all kinds of people doing things for me. Just the other day there were some young ladies from my church...never would I have thought that we would have a whole year without going to church. They knocked on my door and said, “We just wanted to check on you and your wife to make sure you’re alright.” Can’t ask for anything better.

Nick and Patti (and Betty)

My daughter, Edie, was born early, just as the pandemic was ramping up. The day my wife Sara and I brought her home from the NICU, our neighbor Betty dropped off this really badass toy rabbit that sings and has ears that move. Since then, she is always bringing Edie toys and clothes, like for her birthday and at Easter. Another older lady on the block regularly leaves us groceries and treats for our dog. All our neighbors have shown us overwhelming love and support.

We were one of the first young couples to live here. People have been in this neighborhood since the ’60s, and no one ever moves out! In the rare moments when we go outside at eight in the morning, the streets are just filled with old people taking a walk.

Betty’s health has dwindled, so I’ve started taking her trash and recycling out to the street every Tuesday night. Sometimes I also help her and her daughter Patti move furniture around in the house. To thank us, she makes us tacos, cakes, cookies, muffins….all kinds of bready things.

Patti says:

My mom’s joy comes from baking and cooking for others. Betty is a friend to everyone she meets, and she connects with people through food. Anyone who comes to visit her leaves with baked goods or jars of jelly or hot sauce she’s made herself. The neighborhood is predominantly retirees and the elderly, so during the pandemic it became even more important to reach out to those around us.

When she learned that Nick’s baby Edie was born premature, prayers went up for the family. Being in the middle of a pandemic and experiencing a premature birth….it was heartbreaking that we couldn’t visit them when they came home. My mom left them a stuffed rabbit that plays the tune “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” because that’s what she used to sing to all her grandchildren.

In the past two years she’s suffered a number of health issues, including a broken leg and two strokes, but she insists on living at home. So Nick has been quite the gem, helping her put out the trash, picking up her mail, checking in on her for me. He always comes through. And her way of thanking him is always, “I’m going to bake you something soon!”

Allie and Paul

Allie says:

Our neighborhood is a hidden gem of older homes tucked among big trees. All of us are always emailing our little group to see when others need help. My next-door neighbors have left us gifts for my 8-year-old’s birthday, and I make sure their grandchildren can grab toys off our porch. Our neighbors across the street sit in their yard with their dogs, and folks walking by are offered a chair to sit and hang out, socially distanced. And for Halloween the elderly families were out on their lawns with tables of crafts or candy bags, and the kiddos walked around all costumed up.

I’ve noticed during this crazy year that people have chilled out and are really present. They wave and say hello, and help each other with acts of kindness.

Our neighbor on one side, Paul, plays in a band. We knew those guys pre-pandemic but we were busy living our lives. Suddenly we were working from home and the kids were home. We now hear music during the day. We yell over the fence letting them know we love it and they yell thank you. Around here, instead of people complaining about loud music, they come out to listen. This is Austin!

I’ve noticed during this crazy year that people have chilled out and are really present. They wave and say hello, and help each other with acts of kindness. In the past I was an introvert, and now I know everyone’s name. Neighbors have become more like family.

I live in a big house with my friend’s family. At first it was me, my friend and his fiancé, and then one by one the others moved in from South Texas. Now there are almost 10 of us.

I started talking to my neighbor Allie originally because we have eight cars and needed to park in front of her house. She’s been so sweet. When we saw a birthday sign in her yard for her daughter, we brought a present. In lockdown there’s just been this sense that we’re all in this together. I’m in a band called Pai Pai with my brother and a friend. Our music is a version of rock; some songs we’re singing melodically and in others I’m literally screaming. We used to rent a room to play in but COVID messed everything up and the place went out of business. I went around and asked our neighbors, “If we keep it before dark and one or two hours, would it be OK if we practiced at my house?” Everyone agreed. Allie’s husband was like, “I get it—we’re all stranded at home.” I was worried they wouldn’t like our music but I can see their kids from our deck, and it wasn’t that at all. It makes me feel good to see people enjoying it. We did get complaints once from the other side of the creek, and the sheriff came, but he was just like, “Y’all sound really good.”

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Beyond the connections neighbors have made, COVID has impacted the tax situation for so many, leading to uncertainties this year. H&R Block is committed to building people’s financial confidence by helping them understand their unique 2020 tax filing situation, and can help people file safely whether in person at an office, online, or virtually.

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Helping neighbors and enhancing yourself: a spillover effect of helping neighbors on work-family conflict and thriving at work

Published: 22 June 2020
Volume 41 , pages 3539–3550, ( 2022 )

Cite this article

Zhenduo Zhang ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4823-7974 1 ,
Peikai Li 2 ,
Li Zhang 1 ,
Junwei Zheng 3 &
Zaixing Xue 4

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Although the beneficial effects of helping behavior in workplace, such as organizational citizen behavior, have long been established, the positive spillover effects of helping neighbors behavior on giver’s family and work outcomes are far from clear. By adopting a two-wave design ( N = 220, Chinese workers), this research represents an initial attempt to explore the impacts of helping neighbors behavior, referring to various types of assistance given to one’s neighbors, on work-family conflict and on thriving at work and the effect of social functioning. Our hypothesis was largely supported by a structural equation modeling analysis. We found that helping neighbors behavior enhances workplace social functioning of the giver. Moreover, social functioning mediates the effects of helping neighbors behavior on work-family conflict and thriving at work. These findings contribute to research on the positive impacts of community service on family and work outcomes, extending the scope of helping literature.

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Acknowledgements

Our research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 71772052, 71701083), University of Chinese academy of social sciences Monumental Projects (Grant no. 0201080303819138), and Yunnan Province Applied Basic Research Planning Project (Grant no. 2019FB084).

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Zhang, Z., Li, P., Zhang, L. et al. Helping neighbors and enhancing yourself: a spillover effect of helping neighbors on work-family conflict and thriving at work. Curr Psychol 41 , 3539–3550 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00864-4

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Irving neighbors help one another after fallen trees block roads, land on homes

By wayne carter • published 3 hours ago • updated 48 mins ago.

It's the kind of wake-up call no one wants. Trees were cracking, breaking, slamming onto, and sometimes into roofs.

"My room's right there in the corner. We could hear a big thud, and I was just like, 'Get in the center of the house,'" said Andrea Duran.

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Andrea's dad climbed up on the roof in the middle of the storm, trying to put a tarp over the hole a tree punched.

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Could that luck run out? Right after the rain stopped, the wind came. The leaves were catching it, and you could hear cracking branches.

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Ron Knott's home could barely be seen because of all the large tree branches in his front yard, but he left it and spent his time chopping and clearing the road so cars could get in and out and helping his neighbors clean their yards.

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Evidence in Ruby Franke case includes new video showing child after escape, asking neighbors for help

New details have been released in the child abuse case against former family vlogger Ruby Franke .

The Utah mom was arrested back in August 2023 on multiple charges of child abuse after one of her kids escaped her oversight and ran to a neighbor asking for food and help. Franke later pleaded guilty to four felony counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse and was sentenced to one to fifteen years in prison per count.

Jodi Hildenbrandt , her business partner and co-founder of parenting advice YouTube channel and service "ConneXions," received the same charges and sentence.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Now, footage has been released of the child's escape to find help from neighbors, along with other details about the days and weeks leading up to Franke's arrest.

Watch the video of the child seeking help

In the video, recorded by home security cameras, a noticeably thin pre-teen can be seen walking up to a home and ringing the doorbell. The child almost leaves when no one answers, but a man eventually opens the door and calls out to the child.

“I was just wondering if you could do two favors?” the child asks. “If you could take me to the nearest police station. Well, actually just one [favor] is fine.”

The man appears to become concerned at this point, asking, “What’s going on?"

A woman later comes outside and speaks reassuringly to the child, handing them water. Meanwhile, the man calls the police to report an "emaciated" child with "tape around his legs" who is "hungry and thirsty" arriving at their door to ask for help.

Police would later find out that a pre-teen had climbed out the window of Hildebrandt's nearby home where the child had been held captive by Franke.

Both Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested hours later.

Ruby Franke's diaries reveal more details about the abuse

Also released on Friday were handwritten entries from a journal Franke kept in the months leading up to her arrest. In them, she details the abuse she and Hildebrandt committed against their children, justifying the acts through extremist religious theories.

In them, she describes forcing her pre-teen son and daughter to sleep on hard floors, work hours in the summer heat without food or water and admits to locking them in a concrete bunker. The children were kept isolated from the outside world and often starved, something Franke justified in her entries by writing “I will not feed a demon.”

In one July 2023 entry, she describes forcing her son's head underwater while holding his mouth and nose closed and telling him that she was trying to save him from the devil, who would lie to him and say he was being hurt.

She details other acts like shaving her daughter's head for "whining" and dousing her in water in the "dog wash" as punishment for asking to eat and break a two-day fast imposed by Franke.

"These selfish, selfish children who desire only to take, lie, and attack have zero understanding of god's love for them," Franke wrote in her journal.

The Washington County Attorney's Office said the children suffered such severe abuse, they came to believe they deserved it. "The investigation found that religious extremism motivated Ms. Franke and Ms. Hildebrandt to inflict this horrific abuse," a case summary read. "The women appeared to fully believe that the abuse they inflicted was necessary to teach the children how to properly repent for imagined 'sins' and to cast the evil spirits out of their bodies."

Who is Ruby Franke?

Ruby Franke is a Utah mother of six and a formerly popular family vlog YouTuber. One of the stars of the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel that once raked in millions of views and followers, she became the subject of widespread criticism online for her parenting choices.

"8 Passengers" started in 2015 and documented the lives of mom and dad Ruby and Kevin Franke and their six children. At its peak, it boasted 2.5 million subscribers and was known as one of the most famous - or infamous - family video channels.

The channel was removed from YouTube last year following several years of increased scrutiny. Viewers began circulating petitions and reporting what they saw as evidence of child abuse and neglect to local authorities.

The pushback intensified when Franke co-founded the parenting advice and support program "ConneXions, " which has been called a "cult" by some online. Many found the parenting style promoted by Franke and Hildebrandt to be extreme and harsh. The frequent inclusion of what has been called homophobic, racist and transphobic comments did not help their popularity.

In one oft-referenced example, Franke told viewers that children do not deserve and should not receive unconditional love.

In another, she took Christmas away from one of her young children as punishment for being "selfish." In many instances, she could be seen threatening to withhold food or otherwise punishing her children in a way viewers criticized as too severe.

Ruby Franke arrest, charges and sentence

In late August of 2023, Franke was taken into custody along Hildebrandt, her friend and business partner, following the discovery of a "severely emaciated and malnourished" child.

Police were called to the home of Hildebrandt after one of Franke's children climbed out a window and went to a neighbor's house asking for food and water. Noticing duct tape wrapped around the child's wrists and ankles, the neighbor called authorities, who arrived to find one child who was "severely emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds" and another Franke child in the home who was also malnourished, according to court documents.

While serving a search warrant, police found evidence in the home "consistent with the markings found on the juvenile." Franke was likewise accused of mistreating her kids.

She pleaded guilty in December 2023 to four felony counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse. Hildenbrandt, also pleaded guilty to the charges. In a February sentencing, both were given four prison terms of one to 15 years each, meaning each woman will face four to 60 years in prison on charges of child abuse.

The actual jail time served will now be up to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.

In a public apology read to the court through tears at the time of sentencing, Franke, who has largely placed the blame for the abuse on Hildebrandt's alleged brainwashing, said in part, “I’ll never stop crying for hurting your tender souls,” referring to her children who were not present in the courtroom. “My willingness to sacrifice all for you was masterfully manipulated into something very ugly. I took from you all that was soft and safe and good.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Evidence in Ruby Franke case includes new video showing child after escape, asking neighbors for help

Authorities released new video that shows the son of Ruby Franke asking for help. This video was blurred by the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

Neighbors sue Ramapo ZBA for approving larger houses in Albert Drive neighborhood

MONSEY - The Albert Drive neighborhood has long been a fixture of Ramapo's single-family home character.

But neighbors argue their comfort zone is threatened by the Zoning Board of Appeals approval of two higher-density housing projects they claim in nearly identical legal actions are illegal and will alter their neighborhood.

The ZBA has approved variances allowing the construction of two-family buildings with accessory apartments on undersized parcels at 15 and 21 Albert Drive. The properties are half the allowable size under zoning, according to two Article 78 legal actions looking to block the approvals.

The legal actions argue town zoning mandates 20,000 square feet of land for two-family housing with an accessory apartment, with room for parking and recreation. The ZBA approved the re-developments on just more than 10,000 square feet.

ZBA rejected initial requests

Attorney Kevin Conway, representing neighbors in both legal actions, said the ZBA has routinely denied variances involving parcels of 16,000 square feet.

"Both parcels are grossly undersized for what's been proposed," Conway said. "What would happen is the buildings take over the entire area of the sites. There would be parking in the front yard, not permitted under the town code, and no recreation space for kids. These will be mini apartment buildings crammed into a single-family residential area."

One of the issues cited by the legal action is the ZBA rejected the redevelopment of 15 Albert Drive in 2023 but in March approved variances for the same project. The ZBA also had rejected a similar proposal for 16 Albert Drive, Conway said.

The difference between the two proposals at 15 Albert Drive is the second one reduced the percentage of the inside floor area, compared to the total lot area, from 72% to 69%. The board approved a similar redevelopment of 21 Albert Drive in recent weeks.

The legal actions state that the ZBA turned down the first redevelopment of 15 Albert Drive because it would "otherwise alter the character and usage of the neighborhood of single-family homes." They say the new application offered no new information.

So Conway said that in both cases, the ZBA members reopened the public hearing for the developer of 15 and 21 Albert Drive to provide additional information but improperly declined to hear a rebuttal from the residents.

The ZBA approval was illegal and unduly influenced by the developer, according to the legal actions filed on May 13 with the New York State Supreme Court in New City.

Neighbors say homes would be too big

Conway filed the Article 78 actions on behalf of neighbor Rochel Weinfeld against the ZBA members and developers David Slomiuc of 15 Albert Drive and Yosef Kohn of 21 Albert Drive.

Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht referred questions on the legal actions to Alyssa M. Slater, the town's first assistant town attorney. Specht and the four other Town Board members appoint the ZBA and other land-use board members, while the Town Attorney's Office represents the boards and can offer advice on zoning and planning matters.

Slater said Tuesday in an email response that the construction of a two-family house with an accessory apartment is a use permitted by right under the town's zoning laws. The ZBA decides variances from the code. She said several two-family and multifamily homes exist on Albert Drive and in the area.

She rebuffed suggestions the town is allowing overbuilding on parcels, and the ZBA exists to consider requests from variances from the code.

"The Zoning Board of Appeals is an independent body that makes independent decisions," Slater said. "The ZBA conducts a balancing test to determine if a variance should be granted."

According to court papers, the ZBA members found that the variances sought for Albert Drive houses were not substantial and would not produce an undesirable change to the neighborhood.

Neighbors disagree on the effect on the neighborhood

Neighbor George Amsel wrote the ZBA chair, Charlene Weaver, that he questioned the legality of the board's vote and decision. He said the board approved variances based on the developer using photos to show the project would not affect the neighborhood but did not allow the public to see the photos.

"Doesn’t the ZBA have the responsibility to protect the neighbors before granting an investor, not a resident, the permit to build a building ... grant so many variances that were denied by the building inspector?" Amsel wrote.

Weinfeld felt the ZBA members disregarded the concerns of the neighbors.

"The ZBA knows our opposition very well yet they let this pass," she said in an email. "We feel like there is no justice; citizens are not heard."

According to court papers, the developers and residents testified before the ZBA before approval.

"This is an aging neighborhood," Weinfeld said. "As people age, accommodations need to be made so that they can continue to function in their lives. There is no justification for compromising the lives of the majority of the neighborhood to support this project that would change the character of our neighborhood."

Developer: 'I am no different than my neighbors'

The developer, David Slomiuc, of 230 Remsen Ave. in Monsey, said he bought 15 Albert Drive with his partner, Joshua Spitzer. He said Spitzer plans to live in the house with his family.

"I'm asking the board to approve the property according to the law and according to other affordable projects on the same lot," Slomiuc said, according to court papers.

Spitzer, a resident of Edison Court, said that when he spoke to neighbors before buying the property, they approved.

"My family needs more room to live," Spitzer told the board. "I am not asking for anything less or anything more than what is already on the block. I am no different than my neighbors."

Neighbors said the developers bought the houses knowing the zoning so they can't claim a financial hardship to get variances.

Earnest Schlesinger of Sylvan Lane said, "We have only single-family homes on this block and all the surrounding houses along where we live and we want to keep it that way. We want to keep the neighborhood a beautiful neighborhood."

Ramapo has approved other higher-density projects despite some opposition

Other single-family neighborhoods including in several Orthodox Jewish areas, have rebuked the town for allowing redevelopment of higher-density housing. Town officials have supported large housing complexes, voting for higher density zoning projects like Patrick Farm, Pascack Ridge, Viola Estates, and Miller's Pond , the former Minisceongo Golf Course.

The Pascack Ridge and Patrick Farm developments are stalled by legal actions, while neighbors went to court to force the Viola Estates developers and Ramapo to close illegal apartments added after approvals.

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at [email protected] Twitter: @lohudlegal

Read more articles and bio . Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

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Teen who vanished 26 years ago rescued from neighbor's cellar — just 200 yards from his home in Algeria

Updated on: May 16, 2024 / 7:14 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

An Algerian man who had been missing for 26 years has been found in his neighbor's house, just a few minutes' walk away, the country's justice ministry said this week.

The man only identified as Omar B. had vanished at the age of 19 during the Algerian Civil War in 1998, and his family assumed he had been kidnapped or killed.

Now aged 45, he was found amid haystacks only about 200 yards away in the city of Djelfa after the captor's brother aired grievances on social media, reportedly due to an inheritance dispute.

Algerian media reported that when family members began searching the suspect's house, he became tense when they approached a haystack, and they eventually found Omar B. "sitting quietly" underneath.

The alleged culprit, a 61-year-old doorman at the municipality in the nearby town of El Guedid, was taken into custody after attempting to flee, the ministry said.

Algerian media reported that the victim said he had been unable to call out for help "because of a spell that his captor had cast on him."

The teen's alleged abductor has also been accused of killing his dog with poison, according to Algerian media , which published a photo of the dog with the victim the year he went missing.

The ministry said the investigation was still ongoing, adding that the victim was receiving medical and psychological care after the crime it described as "heinous."

Algerian media reported that the victim was examined by a doctor and transferred to a special psychological health ward.

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'Somehow I'm here': Neighbors say four people died in powerful Greenfield tornado

GREENFIELD — Luke Daughenbaugh found himself under piles of debris, the walls of his mom’s garage on top of him, his life flashing before his eyes.

It wasn’t long until at least 10 neighbors were there, pulling off pieces of the wreckage and finding a hole for him to climb through.

Daughenbaugh was caught outside Tuesday afternoon when a powerful tornado ripped through Greenfield, a town of about 2,000 people 60 miles southwest of the Des Moines metro, killing multiple people and injuring at least a dozen others.

“I was crushed pretty good,” he said Wednesday, looking at the pile of debris that’s left. “I’m lucky to be here.”

That sentiment — thankful for a new day and the small town they live in — was voiced throughout Greenfield as the community banded together in the aftermath of the storm.

Iowa saw an outbreak of powerful tornadoes Tuesday that the National Weather Service warned beforehand could be a "particularly dangerous situation.” More storms developed in Clarinda, Creston and Corning, where one woman in a car died. The tornado was so powerful it toppled wind turbines.

Then, a multi-vortex tornado struck Greenfield at 3:39 p.m. just as children were supposed to be heading home from school. An early report from the National Weather Service classified the twister as "at least" an EF3 tornado, but the weather service was still assessing the damage.

Sgt. Alex Dinkla, spokesperson with the Iowa State Patrol, estimated Tuesday night that at least a dozen people were hospitalized. But he said Wednesday morning he could not confirm the total number of deaths or injuries because search and rescue efforts were still underway.

Standing near the ruins of destroyed homes in the heart of Greenfield, longtime resident Joan Newell and Dwight Lahey, of Windsor Heights, the adult son of a 98-year-old resident on Southeast Sixth Street, said four neighbors on that block died in the storm.

Tearing up, Newell recounted how her own house collapsed around her as she sheltered in a basement bathroom. Somehow, she came through the disaster with only bruises. She said her grandson came to check on her immediately.

“I’m just thankful to be alive,” Newell said.

Destruction gut-wrenching; response heartwarming, governor says

Sirens blasted well before Tuesday's tornado hit in Greenfield, according to the National Weather Service. After the twister hit, the Adair County Health System hospital was evacuated, and some residents were air-flighted to nearby hospitals. A nearby lumberyard became a makeshift triage unit for the injured, and the local high school, Nodaway Valley, became a shelter. Residents and churches opened their doors to take in those who couldn't return home.

Windows at the hospital were boarded up Wednesday while work crews began fixing its roof. Cars that remained in its parking lot were severely damaged. The high school served as a medical center while the hospital was repaired

Gov. Kim Reynolds, who toured the destruction, said dozens of homes and businesses were leveled and farmland was severely damaged. She estimated damage would reach in the millions of dollars.

The scene, Reynolds said, was both gut-wrenching and heartwarming.

"I've always said Iowa is one big community, and we see that in times of crisis," she said.

The governor said the damage in Greenfield was more extensive than that to Minden in western Iowa after an EF3 tornado hit less than a month ago and killed one person. She issued disaster proclamations in 15 counties from Tuesday's outbreak of storms and said she would ask for an expedited presidential disaster declaration.

Around Greenfield, residents assessed the damage, searched for belongings, cut down felled trees and marveled at piles of debris and a changed skyline, while skid loaders and trucks filled with locals were hard at work clearing streets. The storm left cars sitting upright, computers ripped open in yards and trees stripped of their bark.

Just across Southeast Sixth near its intersection with Southeast Kent Street, a wooden clock still hung on the wall in the living room where Lahey’s mother lived. Most of the home’s blond brick walls had toppled, but she found her way to safety, he said.

While parts of town were flattened, however, Greenfield's town square, courthouse and cultural center were spared.

Speaking from her son's house near the square, Ginger Thompson said her house by the hospital was destroyed. Thompson, who uses a wheelchair, said she was trapped in a computer room upstairs when the tornado hit, engulfing her with the screaming sound of wind, crashing glass and destruction.

"I never want to hear that noise again," Thompson said. "I was panicked. I thought I was going to be gone."

Latest updates: Follow our coverage after tornadoes struck Iowa again

'The community ... brought me in their arms'

The town was closed to outsiders, and media were escorted by law enforcement, but volunteers were expected to be allowed in Thursday. Emergency personnel and law enforcement from surrounding counties stretching to the Nebraska and Missouri borders flooded Greenfield.

Dinkla said the community showed incredible unity, with neighbors and friends displaying remarkable compassion, empathy and support.

"This town has a long road ahead of them, but if their actions today are any indication of what lies ahead, they will emerge stronger and more united than ever before," he said.

Rep. Ray Sorensen, R-Greenfield, said at a news conference Wednesday with Reynolds that in the immediate aftermath of the storm, the community came together to help rescue injured people. He said he and some residents made a makeshift stretcher to take an injured person to the lumberyard-turned-hospital.

"There’s incredible common sense in this community. There’s incredible resolve," he said. "People were already getting to work, clearing debris out of the roads. Everybody who brought a skid loader in, thank you a million.”

Daughenbaugh was a recipient of that support. Trying to reach his son, Daughenbaugh said he was still outside when the tornado struck.

“It put me on the ground and then I just curled up in like fetal position. And pretty soon the garage walls were on top of me," he said Wednesday as he began cleaning up. "I was getting more pressure and pressure and pressure on me — I thought I was going to die there.”

Once the noise stopped — it really is like a freight train, he said — Daughenbaugh was able to yell loudly enough for his son in the basement to hear. Meanwhile, Daughenbaugh said he was breathing in house wrap that had come across his face, but tried to remain calm.

His son went for help, and about 10 people arrived to free him from the debris.

“There was some good neighbors," he said. “It was wild. I would never have imagined that would have happened.”

Rachel Randel, looking at the wreckage of her house on Wednesday, said she too was lucky to be alive after the storm took her home from its foundation. She was hiding under her basement steps when it struck.

“My house just fell on top of me. I got pushed by something in the back, forward, and by some act of God I crawled out relatively uninjured,” she said with tears in her eyes. “Bumps and scrapes and bruises, but I'm alive."

Randel, who lives near a fire station, said a firefighter helped her out. Then "the community took me from there and brought me in their arms and just did what small towns do best."

She and her family were spending the day sifting through debris to try to find anything of importance. But items from other people's houses are in her basement, "so my stuff might be on down the line.” While she's lucky to be alive, she said, her neighbor was one of the fatalities.

“Somehow I’m here. My neighbor two doors down isn’t.”

Where is Greenfield, Iowa?

Greenfield is the county seat of Adair County, about 60 miles southwest of Des Moines. About 2,000 people live there.

Greenfield had been preparing to be the Day 3 meetup town for the 2024 edition of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa this July. Anne Lawrie, director of the cycling division of Ventures Endurance, the subsidiary of Register owner Gannett that operates the weeklong ride, said RAGBRAI had no comment at this time on how the ride might be affected.

Samuel Alito flew an 'Appeal to Heaven' flag outside his Long Beach vacation home: report

The 'appeal to heaven' flag, known as a pine cone flag, is the second case of the alito family embracing symbols popular with the 'stop the steal' camp on jan. 6, 2021..

WASHINGTON − Another flag − not an upside one, but a flag that said "Appeal to Heaven'' − carried by some of the people who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, flew over a home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito last summer, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

The second flag, which the report said is a symbol for a religious strand of the “Stop the Steal” campaign, was raised over Alito's New Jersey vacation home in July and September of 2023.

The Times previously reported that an upside-down American flag flew over the justices Virginia home in January of 2021.

Supreme Court justices are supposed to avoid politics .

Alito told the Times his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, raised the inverted flag in response to a dispute with a neighbor and he “had no involvement whatsoever."

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

The Times said Alito declined to respond to questions about the beach house flag.

A spokesperson for the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY to the latest report.

More Justices Thomas, Alito complain about 'nastiness' and 'imperiled' freedom of religion

The high court is deciding two cases related to former President Donald Trump and his supporters’ efforts to overturn the results of the election, decisions that will affect the criminal election interference charge s pending against Trump.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who heads the Senate Judiciary Committee, renewed his call for Alito to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“This episode will further erode public faith in the court," Durbin said in a statement in which he also urged Chief Justice John Roberts to add an enforcement mechanism to the court's ethics code.

Durbin has been pushing for Congress to impose on the court stronger ethics rules backed by an enforcement process but has been blocked by Republicans.

Related Supreme Court grapples with limits on obstruction charge in Jan. 6 cases

'Freak flag': Senate Democrats bash Supreme Court Justice Alito for upside-down flag

What does the `Appeal to Heaven' pine tree flag mean?

The "Appeal to Heaven" flag − a white flag with a green pine tree in the center − was used during the American Revolution. It has become a symbol for Christian nationalist.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has hung the flag outside his congressional office.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation calls the flag a "sectarian symbol that indicates government endorsement of Christianity."

Delivering the commencement address at a Catholic University this month, Alito said that the freedom of religion is "imperiled."

He told the graduates of Franciscan University of Steubenville they may soon find themselves in a job or social setting where they will feel pressure to endorse ideas they don’t believe in or to abandon core beliefs.

“It will be up to you," he said, "to stand firm."

When was the flag flown over Alito's beach house?

The Times report included a Google Street View image from last August showing the "Appeal to Heaven" flag at his home on Long Beach Island. The Times said other photographs it obtained, as well as corroboration from neighbors, show the flag flying in July and September of 2023.

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Guest Essay

Melinda French Gates: The Enemies of Progress Play Offense. I Want to Help Even the Match.

A photo illustration showing Melinda French Gates amid a dollar bill broken up into squares on a grid.

By Melinda French Gates

Ms. French Gates is a philanthropist and the founder of the charitable organization Pivotal.

Many years ago, I received this piece of advice: “Set your own agenda, or someone else will set it for you.” I’ve carried those words with me ever since.

That’s why, next week, I will leave the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , of which I was a co-founder almost 25 years ago, to open a new chapter in my philanthropy. To begin, I am announcing $1 billion in new spending over the next two years for people and organizations working on behalf of women and families around the world, including on reproductive rights in the United States.

In nearly 20 years as an advocate for women and girls, I have learned that there will always be people who say it’s not the right time to talk about gender equality. Not if you want to be relevant. Not if you want to be effective with world leaders (most of them men). The second the global agenda gets crowded, women and girls fall off.

It’s frustrating and shortsighted. Decades of research on economics , well-being and governance make it clear that investing in women and girls benefits everyone. We know that economies with women’s full participation have more room to grow. That women’s political participation is associated with decreased corruption. That peace agreements are more durable when women are involved in writing them. That reducing the time women spend in poor health could add as much as $1 trillion to the global economy by 2040.

And yet, around the world, women are seeing a tremendous upsurge in political violence and other threats to their safety, in conflict zones where rape is used as a tool of war, in Afghanistan where the Taliban takeover has erased 20 years of progress for women and girls, in many low-income countries where the number of acutely malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women is soaring.

In the United States, maternal mortality rates continue to be unconscionable , with Black and Native American mothers at highest risk. Women in 14 states have lost the right to terminate a pregnancy under almost any circumstances. We remain the only advanced economy without any form of national paid family leave. And the number of teenage girls experiencing suicidal thoughts and persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness is at a decade high.

Despite the pressing need, only about 2 percent of charitable giving in the United States goes to organizations focused on women and girls, and only about half a percentage point goes to organizations focused on women of color specifically.

When we allow this cause to go so chronically underfunded, we all pay the cost. As shocking as it is to contemplate, my 1-year-old granddaughter may grow up with fewer rights than I had.

Over the past few weeks, as part of the $1 billion in new funding I’m committing to these efforts, I have begun directing new grants through my organization, Pivotal, to groups working in the United States to protect the rights of women and advance their power and influence. These include the National Women’s Law Center, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Center for Reproductive Rights.

While I have long focused on improving contraceptive access overseas, in the post-Dobbs era, I now feel compelled to support reproductive rights here at home. For too long, a lack of money has forced organizations fighting for women's rights into a defensive posture while the enemies of progress play offense. I want to help even the match.

I’m also experimenting with novel tactics to bring a wider range of perspectives into philanthropy. Recently, I offered 12 people whose work I admire their own $20 million grant-making fund to distribute as he or she sees fit. That group — which includes the former prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, the athlete and maternal-health advocate Allyson Felix, and an Afghan champion of girls’ education, Shabana Basij-Rasikh — represents a wide range of expertise and experience. I’m eager to see the landscape of funding opportunities through their eyes, and the results their approaches unlock.

In the fall, I will introduce a $250 million initiative focused on improving the mental and physical health of women and girls globally. By issuing an open call to grass-roots organizations beyond the reach of major funders, I hope to lift up groups with personal connections to the issues they work on. People on the front lines should get the attention and investment they deserve, including from me.

As a young woman, I could never have imagined that one day I would be part of an effort like this. Because I have been given this extraordinary opportunity, I am determined to do everything I can to seize it and to set an agenda that helps other women and girls set theirs, too.

Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist and the founder of Pivotal, a charitable, investment and advocacy organization.

Source photographs by Bryan Bedder, filipfoto, and Westend61, via Getty Images.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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The first quality of good neighbor is helpfulness. Helpfulness is the best characteristic of a good neighbor. Essay author. Professor Irey. Verified writer. Proficient in: Compassion. 4.9 (599) " Irey, has been patient, and very helpful with all assignments. I would defiantly hire her again..
Irving residents clean neighborhood after Texas storm
Irving neighbors help one another after fallen trees block roads, land on homes By Wayne Carter • Published 1 min ago • Updated 50 seconds ago It's the kind of wake-up call no one wants.
North Texas tornado survivors shed tears, call the experience
Even with the help of neighbors and loved ones, the sounds of recovery can still be haunting. "At night, hearing the guy screaming and hearing the tornado and the roar and all that, that's the ...
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MSN
Ramapo NY sued over variances approved for larger houses
Neighbors sue Ramapo ZBA for approving larger houses in Albert Drive neighborhood. MONSEY - The Albert Drive neighborhood has long been a fixture of Ramapo's single-family home character. But ...
Teen who vanished 26 years ago rescued from neighbor's cellar
CBS News 24/7 Live. An Algerian man who had been missing for 26 years has been found in his neighbor's house, just a few minutes' walk away, the country's justice ministry said this week.
Greenfield neighbors describe the destruction: 'I'm lucky to be here'
The governor said the damage in Greenfield was more extensive than that to Minden in western Iowa after an EF3 tornado hit less than a month ago and killed one person. She issued disaster ...
Alito flag beach house controversy spurs new questions about justice
A pine tree flag carried by some election critics on Jan. 6, 2021, flew over a home of Justice Samuel Alito last summer, the New York Times reported.
Opinion
By Melinda French Gates. Ms. French Gates is a philanthropist and the founder of the charitable organization Pivotal. Many years ago, I received this piece of advice: "Set your own agenda, or ...