NeighborWorks America capped off its NTI on Friday the way it began: With learning and a focus toward the future. More than 1,000 affordable housing and community developers came from across the U.S. to expand their resources – and capacity – during a weeklong training institute in Chicago.
Susan Twomey, director of construction and sustainability at HRI in Boston, escaped the snow and flew to Chicago for the Housing Supply Solutions Lab, which took place midweek. “I feel like I got to meet a lot 
of people from places in the country that are so different from where I work,” she said. Her hope is that she can take pieces of what he learned from each of them about modular construction, preserving naturally occurring affordable housing, and of course, sustainability, back home with her.
Classes included content on everything from partnering with Native communities to learning how to use trauma-informed skills in financial coaching. There were courses on engagement, on fair housing, on building leaders and on grant proposal writing – essential during a time of uncertain funding sources.
Mita Breckenridge and Kimberly Williams traveled together from Southern West Virginia Housing in Beckley, West V.irginia, for their first NTI.
Breckinridge, an occupancy specialist, took courses focused on housing counseling. Currently, she said, her community development organization doesn’t have HUD-certified housing counselors, trusted advisers who are able to match residents with education and resources. But it’s something they want to add. “I’m learning a lot,” she said.
Williams, an outreach coordinator who works with homeless veterans, has appreciated the networking. “Now there are people I can reach out to from different views to get information nationally,” she said.
Alfred Arzuaga, who works at Orlando Neighborhood Improvement Corp., has spent the week learning from peers as well as instructors. “Learning about innovations that other folks are doing helps us innovate back at home,” said Arzuaga, who also attended the Solutions Lab.
Frank Cornier of Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services, took a course on unlocking potential with AI. “I learned about resources I didn’t know existed,” he said.
Strong communities are built by prepared leaders, Kemba Esmond, NeighborWorks America’s chief financial officer, said this week. The training institute was a part of that preparation.
NeighborWorks America offers its premier, in-person training institute twice a year. But the organization also has a stronghold of other learning opportunities, including a Digital Learning Institute this May and a slew of self-guided courses, available year round.
