During only its second year, Spring Branch ISD’s Good Neighbors community-building program has doubled the number of businesses, organizations and individuals earning a special designation for civic involvement.

Nearly 120 district Good Neighbors were honored Oct. 25 at the Houston Racquet Club during the group’s annual dinner and recognition event. Houston Mayor Bill White gave the keynote address for a second year.

The City of Houston was one of many groups to earn a Good Neighbor Award for a first time this year. After opening remarks by Superintendent of Schools Duncan Klussmann, Mayor White accepted the Good Neighbor banner on behalf of the city.

The City of Houston was cited for its efforts to help launch the Good Neighbor program, its support of a citywide mentoring initiative, inclusion of Spring Branch in the annual Reach Out to Dropout Walk, and sponsor s hip of the first Spring Branch Community Health Fair. More than 2,000 children and family members were immunized and received basic health screenings at the summertime event.

SBISD’s Good Neighbors are formally recognized  for  performing three or more activities from a program activity list, and then documenting them through a proof of activity form.

Before praising SBISD and the Good Neighbor program at the Houston Racquet Club, Mayor White was applauded for the personal action he took earlier that same day as a Spring Branch voter and citizen. “The first thing I did was vote for the Spring Branch Bond election,” he said. The crowd cheered in approval.

He praised the Good Neighbors program for its commitment to actual community service rather than simple recognition of a business or organization. “This program sets a mark with goals, not something amorphous,” he said.

Spring Branch residents, he said, “realize that the gift of educating young people is a wonderful thing, and the community really does that well.”

The Good Neighbor program is part of a strategic community engagement effort that encompasses 9,000 volunteers and more than 700 mentors.

Created by  the community and implemented by  district Community Relations Officer Linda Buchman, the program and annual recognition event is supported generously by the Spring Branch Education Foundation.

Foundation President Gary Junek spoke about the Foundation’s contributions to the district and the two-year trend in Good Neighbors growth. He said, “Last year, I stood up here and said ‘How great!’ This year, there are twice as many here and I say, ‘Wow!’”

This year’s event included a video presentation narrated by KHOU-TV 11 weekend news anchor Shern-Min Chow, who is also a Spring Branch resident and parent. The video spotlighted several business and nonprofit Good Neighbors and the positive impact that they have had on SBISD schools, students and community.

Community Relations Officer Linda Buchman noted that the Good Neighbor program was “designed to benefit youth, neighborhoods and schools, to assure that SBISD is the place to live, work, raise a family and educate kids in the Houston area.”

Author and social worker Elizabeth Scott, she said, writes about the meaning of good neighbors. “While we may not be able to change the neighborhood in which we live, Ms. Scott says we can change the experience we have in our own neighborhood by getting more involved with those around us and having civic pride,” Buchman told eventgoers.

Class of 2007 Good Neighbors

Good Neighbors Video

More information on Good Neighbors

posted 11-09-07