The neighborhood is the basic building block of human society, and successful efforts to make the world a better place usually start right there. The Dudley Street neighborhood in Boston was once dogged by all the usual urban ills: poverty, crime, drugs, unemployment, racial discrimination, inadequate public services, deteriorating housing, and poor schools. But the residents of Dudley Street, assisted by a small grant from a local foundation, forged a vision for their future and went to work. Organized under the banner of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, they created a town common, built a community center, started youth programs, launched a farmers market, and promoted locally owned businesses. These efforts sparked a new sense of possibility for the community and brought genuine improvements to the lives of Dudley Street residents.