Print pageOnline Registration has closed: On-site walk-on registration opens in Chicago on Feb. 22
*Jan. 26: Last day to pre-register online to receive network lodging benefits or make course changes.
Jan. 30: Last day to pre-register online for all other (non lodging included) registrants.
Feb. 22: On-site walk-on registration opens in Chicago.
We’ve been mindful about including expert instruction and peer learning in the NeighborWorks Training Institute. But networking informally with colleagues, and focusing on personal growth, is also important and having a relaxed and positive mindset will help facilitate your learning all around! Check out the fun and impactful activities and power sessions we’ve built into the timeslots around course offerings—and be sure to add these activities to your schedule as time permits. We will be adding new activities so check back regularly to the event platform site to sign up.
Welcome to the Event! Badge pick-up and Meet our Team
Sun. 3-6 p.m. CT
Join us for a smooth and welcoming event check-in experience by picking up your name badge early, mingling with other early arrivals, and learn about NeighborWorks Professional Learning offerings by meeting our curriculum and online learning instructional team.
First time at the NTI? Be sure to stop by our information tables, introduce yourself, and pick-up a special first-timers gift.
Just want to warm up? Escape the winter chill and indulge in a warm, inviting experience at our Hot Beverage Bar, set against the backdrop of Chicago’s crisp February air. Guests are welcomed by the comforting aromas of freshly brewed coffee, spiced chai, and rich hot chocolate, each crafted to perfection and served with thoughtful touches such as hand-whipped cream and seasonal garnishes. Whether enjoying a classic latte or a specialty mocha, attendees can unwind, connect, and recharge in this cozy winter haven designed to bring warmth and hospitality to the heart of the season.
Warm Up Chicago: Winter Gear Charity Collection Drive
Sun.-Wed (12 p.m. CT cut off)
Join us in supporting our Winter Gear Collection Drive, where your donation of new cold-weather accessories will make a meaningful difference for individuals and families facing harsh winter conditions. Whether it’s a cozy knit hat, a fleece scarf, or gloves, every item collected will help bring comfort and care to those in need. Items for men, women and children are all welcome. Look for the drop off location onsite the event.
Donations accepted Sunday through Wednesday, 12 noon. After that we will be packing the items up for delivery to a local charity/partner.
Opening Plenary
Monday, Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Join fellow NTI Attendees for some lunch, networking, and light remarks from our event hosts.
Winter Wonderland Mix + Mingle
Wed. 5-7 p.m. CT
Welcome to Windy City! BRRRR it’s cold outside! Come see how we transform the NTI into a Winter Wonderland, which we hope will warm your heart!
Please stop by and mingle with your colleagues during our Winter Wonderland Mixer, where you can expect fun games, music, prizes, line dancing, photo moments for selfies or groups, and a goodie bag with warm treats! We’ll also share information on self-care tips during the Winter as well as additional fun activities happening in Chicago. We look forward to seeing you at our Winter Wonderland Mixer!
Networking: Masterpieces and Mocktails
Thursday, Feb. 26, 5-6:30 p.m. CT
Masterpieces & Mocktails... It's Baaaack!!! Unleash your creativity at our Paint and Sip session featuring a delightful twist on non-alcoholic beverages! Join us for an evening of artistic expression, relaxation, and fun! Sip on refreshing mocktails as you use your creative vision of color on pre-printed canvas' as you create your masterpiece. Seasoned or novice level, all are welcome! this inclusive event is perfect for all skill levels. Cheers to a memorable night of painting and sipping - Oh, and a killer playlist from DJ L-Boo.
Power Sessions
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 12-12:45 p.m. CT
Coaching Techniques for Managers
A key role of every supervisor is to assist each staff person to achieve his or her best job performance. Coaching is an ongoing process of helping employees identify and overcome obstacles hindering them from excelling at their jobs. More and more organizations are hearing that to be an effective manager, it is important to sometimes be a coach for your staff. Come learn some great coaching skills to motivate, energize, and support your staff.
Presenter: Joanie Straussman Brandon, Regional Vice-President of NeighborWorks America Northeast Region
Telling a Compelling Story of Your Impact in a Community
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 7:15-8 a.m. CT
You know you're making a difference in your community, but how can your organization be equipped with key messages backed by data to tell a compelling story of the impact your organization is having at the community level? Learn from NeighborWorks organizations' experience leveraging data from the Community Impact Measurement project to demonstrate how their work contributes to strengthening their community. Attendees will connect with peers who have gathered and used data regarding resident satisfaction, social connection and physical conditions in their community and gain practical insight on successful practices for telling a compelling story of impact to key partners and stakeholders.
Presenter: Brooke Finn, Senior Vice President, Evaluation, Leadership & Peer Learning
Putting the Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Toolkit in Action
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. CT
In this interactive session, participants will have the opportunity to use the new NeighborWorks America Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Toolkit in real time. We will explore a selection of tools that can help to create or enhance your lending program, whether it's DPA or other types of residential lending.
Presenter: Christian Greaser, Senior Manager of Lending at NeighborWorks America
Talent Management Power Surge: A 45-Minute Boost for Recruitment, Retention, and Results
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 12 - 12:45 p.m. CT
No HR department? No problem! People are every organization's greatest advantage and their biggest challenge. In this high-energy Power Session, you'll swap ideas and quick wins with peers while exploring actionable, real-world practices you can implement immediately to attract, grow, and retain great people. Learn from real examples and walk away with scalable strategies to strengthen your team, boost engagement, and build a culture where people thrive, regardless of organization size or structure.
Presenter: Sean Chisolm, VP, Talent Management, NeighborWorks America
Map It to Move It: Identify, Connect, and Activate Your Network
Thursday, Feb. 26, 12 - 12:45 p.m. CT
Ready to level up your engagement strategy? In this interactive session, you'll explore a simple, guided framework to assess and strengthen your organization's stakeholder network. You'll uncover critical gaps, surface new connection opportunities, and walk away with one actionable strategy to move your work forward. Whether you're launching a new initiative or refining an existing plan, this session will help you move from insight to impact—fast.
Presenter: Stephen Readus, Chicago-based Community Development Leader
Collaborative Research and Story Telling: Using the Oral History Process to Capture the Texture of Organizational Development, a Case Study of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
Thursday, Feb. 26, 7:15-8 a.m. CT
Oral history is a powerful tool that captures the stories and experiences of participants in your organization's work. Through collaborative processes of crafting an oral history project, practitioners and researchers bring the best of both worlds – academia and practice – to craft compelling stories that explain the contexts, constraints, and successes of an organization. Neighborhood Housing Services Chicago (NHS) and researchers from Loyola
University Chicago share their experiences in crafting such a project and some of the early findings from an oral history commemorating the organization's 50th anniversary and honoring the work of its key leaders. This session will describe their process, offer suggestions for using this tool for other organizations/researchers, and provide examples of the added value of oral history in telling the story of NHS.
Presenters:
Bruce Gottschall, Retired Executive Director & Founder NHS of Chicago
Dr. Sean Young, Assistant Research Professor at the Center for Urban Research and Learning at Loyola University Chicago
Information Sessions
HUD Office of Housing Counseling 2026 Updates
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 12-1 p.m.
The path to homeownership or housing stability is filled with questions, challenges, and, at times, uncertainty. That’s where housing counseling comes in—not just as a service, but as a lifeline. Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing Counseling, Terry Carr, will update NTI participants on HUD’s priorities and celebrate the impact of housing counseling professionals in this highly interactive session.
Unlocking NeighborWorks Compass: Discover New Features, Optimize Workflows, and Learn Best Practices
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
showcase some advanced features available in NeighborWorks Compass that may further streamline your workflows. You will learn how to use the new features and have an opportunity to determine how they would apply to your daily work—ensuring a smooth transition and immediate value. This session is intended for organizations who have already migrated to NeighborWorks Compass or are currently enrolled in training.
Claim the Future: Real Strategies to Protect Family Assets
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 4:30-5:30 p.m
A powerful, action-oriented session designed to move practitioners from insight to impact. Learn proven interventions, community-driven models, and practical policy tools that protect ownership, prevent deed theft, and help every family — regardless of income — secure what they’ve worked hard to build.
Information Session: Exploring NeighborWorks Compass & Your Migration Journey
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 12-1 p.m.
NeighborWorks Compass has made great strides in recent months and has now launched NeighborWorks Compass 2.0. If you're considering switching to the latest technology to support your customer-focused efforts but aren't sure what the process will be like, this session is for you. We'll present a demo of NeighborWorks Compass 2.0, explain the migration process in detail, and provide a venue for getting answers to your burning onboarding questions! This is intended for organizations who have not yet migrated to NeighborWorks Compass.
