Print pageWe’ve been intentional about including expert instruction in the NeighborWorks Training Institute. But each day, we’ve built in free time outside of class hours so you can fully enjoy the benefits of being in community with fellow practitioners. Relaxing, rejuvenating, networking or getting out in the city – your choice! Whatever you choose to do, peer learning and networking informally with colleagues, and reflecting on how you’re growing, is important – it encourages a relaxed, positive and open mindset and truly brings your learning to life!
Check out the fun and impactful activities we’re offering and be sure to participate as time permits.
7 - 8:15 a.m. - Before Class
8:30 - 9:45 a.m. - Class
9:45 - 10:30 a.m. - Mid-Morning Break
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Class
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Lunch
1 - 2 p.m. - Class
2:15 - 3 p.m. - Mid-Afternoon Break
3 - 4 p.m. - Class
4 - 4:30 p.m. - Break
4:30 - 6 p.m. - Afternoon Activities (optional)
Sunday Activities: Aug. 24
Make a Difference in Minutes! Support Louisiana Youth Volunteer Activity
3- 6 p.m., Hilton Riverside New Orleans, Room TBD
Join NeighborWorks America to assemble essential hygiene kits for underserved young people. In partnership with the Gulf Coast Housing Partnership and Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), these kits directly address basic needs and support youth and families facing hardships across 13 parishes in Louisiana.
YEP empowers young people to transform their lives and communities. Your help in assembling these kits will provide immediate, tangible support. Stop by our table and lend a hand – it's a small act with a big impact!
Experience the Spirit of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World, self-led
4- 5:30 p.m., Hilton Riverside New Orleans, Hotel Lobby
Step into the vibrant world of New Orleans’ most iconic celebration with a visit to Mardi Gras World! This unique venue provides behind-the-scenes tours that take you through the massive warehouses where the city’s spectacular parade floats come to life.
This is an optional non-NeighborWorks activity. Complimentary shuttle service is available courtesy of the venue, but seating is limited and not guaranteed. Participants may also choose to walk (1.5 miles) or use a rideshare service from the Hilton for under $10. Meet at the Hilton Lobby at 4:00 pm. Look for the sign to meet other participants and travel together. The last tour of the day will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end around 5:30 p.m. This is a pay-on-your-own event. For more information on the warehouse and admission cost, visit https://mardigrasworld.com/policies.
Monday activities: Aug. 25
Walking Challenge
Monday - Thursday, self-led
The NTI walking challenge is a friendly 3-day competition that involves tracking steps taken during the NTI for prizes and bragging rights. Participants use a personal fitness tracker (e.g., Fitbit or a smartwatch) and/or a free downloadable app, such as Fitbit or Map My Walk, to track their steps each day during the event. Earn additional points by participating in the daily discussion board challenges or other event engagement activities at the NTI. To report steps, participants will send a picture of their step tracker to the designated email address by the end of each day or no later than 9:00 a.m. the following morning. Rankings for daily challenges and accumulated steps will be shared by noon each day, with an overall winner announced on Thursday. Prizes will be distributed onsite or mailed to the winner.
Participants MUST pre-register for this activity to receive rules and regulations prior to the start of the event.
Activity will be limited to the first 25 registered (non-staff) participants.
Tuesday activities: Aug. 26
Power Sessions
Power Sessions are 45-minute, dynamic, interactive learning engagements designed to spark new ideas and offer practical takeaways. These sessions are not traditional lectures – they are fast-paced, participant-centered experiences that focus on innovative business solutions, community best practices, and emerging trends. They aim to maximize engagement and relevance within a compact format that encourages meaningful exchange, even in a limited time. Depending on the specific topics (look for announcements onsite!), Power Sessions may include live demonstrations, roundtable discussions, or storytelling formats — all designed to energize and inspire you and connect you with your peers.
From Contact List to Collaborations: The Hidden Dimensions of Network Activation
7:15 - 8 a.m., Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Join us for an interactive and engaging experience that will transform your approach to community collaboration. Learn how one organization successfully leveraged relationships and community engagement to respond to over 300 resident inquiries for disaster relief after a hailstorm in 2024. Gain insights on best practices for building relationships that lead to positive health outcomes for residents. Apply these concepts in a hands-on activity where you'll identify current relationships for collaboration and outline actionable steps to strengthen these connections. You’ll leave the session knowing how to harness the power of network activation to drive impact in your community!
AI in Action: Practitioners' Power Share
12-12:45 p.m. Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Come together with fellow practitioners in a session where we’ll share real-world experiences and innovative examples of leveraging AI to enhance our work. This session will provide a platform for professionals to discuss the transformative impact of AI on their projects, from improving efficiency and decision-making to fostering community engagement and development. Attendees will gain valuable insights into practical AI applications, learn from peers' successes and challenges, and explore new possibilities for integrating AI into their own initiatives. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by the power of AI in driving positive change in our communities.
Wednesday activities: Aug. 27
Tech Showcase
7 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Are you ready to explore the latest in nonprofit technology? Mark your calendar for the next NeighborWorks Tech Showcase, open to all NeighborWorks National Training Institute participants.
Be a Lifeline: Help Build Emergency Kits for Louisiana Families Volunteer Activity
4:30 - 6 p.m., InterContinental New Orleans Hotel
Join NeighborWorks America in partnering with Gulf Coast Housing Partnership (GCHP) to make a real difference. We're assembling emergency preparedness kits that provide vital protection for Louisiana families facing hurricanes, floods, and other disasters.
GCHP supports communities that are often hardest hit—especially low- and moderate-income households. By spending just a few minutes at our table, you’ll be delivering immediate, hands-on help to those most at risk. Expect to roll up your sleeves and be part of an assembly line creating the kits. Stay as long as little as your times permits.
Your small act can mean safety, security, and resilience for a family in crisis. Stop by and be part of something truly impactful.
Compass 2.0 NTI 2025
12 - 12:45 p.m., Hilton New Orleans Riverside
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 arent' 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 (including tips from your peers who have recently migrated or are undergoing migration), and provide a venue for getting answers to your burning onboarding questions!
Down Payment Assistance Operations for Counselors and Lending Staff
4:30 - 5:15 p.m., Hilton New Orleans Riverside
This interactive session will explore DPA resources available from the Lending Team at NeighborWorks America. Participants will share their practices for a range of common scenarios and hear from peers about successes and lessons learned. If you are looking to expand your services in this area, you won’t want to miss this session!
Laugh Lounge - Where Leadership Meets Laughs
5 - 6:30 p.m.
This isn't your average networking event—and that’s the point. In this energizing workshop, you’ll connect with fellow leaders through a series of playful, thought-provoking exercises designed to make you laugh and think. Using tools inspired by stand-up comedy, you'll explore how others perceive you, uncover surprising insights about your leadership style, and start crafting a leadership persona that feels both powerful and authentic. You'll walk away with new connections, a few inside jokes, and a sharper sense of how to own the room—without losing your sense of humor.
Facilitator: Courtney Bickert
Thursday, Aug. 28
Rural Data Resources for Organizations and Communities
12 - 12:45 p.m., Hilton New Orleans Riverside
HAC will provide a live demo of their new Rural Central Portal which just dropped in May. Rural Central is a comprehensive database that will allow organizations and communities to create custom searches to inform housing, community and economic development planning activities. NeighborWorks has deep data resources for its rural organizations, providing both network-wide and customized snapshots for network organizations to inform their work. The two organizations will discuss the overlap and complement of their resources to create the most powerful information tools for work in rural communities. Come with your dream dataset ideas and get your questions answered!
Presenters: Michael Butchko, NeighborWorks America and Lance George, Housing Assistance Council
New Orleans Dining Experience
5 - 8 p.m., Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Hotel Lobby
Join fellow food lovers for a dining experience in the heart of New Orleans, a city celebrated for its authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine. If you are a foodie you will love this activity. We will be walking to the restaurant from the hotel. Each registrant will be responsible for covering the cost of their own dinner. (limit to the first six people who sign-up)
How it works:
- Sign-up sheets are available check-in on Sunday.
- Gather at the meet-up location and walk to the restaurant together. The restaurants will be within walking distance of the hotels.
