NTA

Resilient Communities: Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Strategies for Housing Counselors (IN-PERSON)

Join housing counselors, community development professionals, and local housing leaders in Birmingham, Alabama for a two-day, in-person training focused on strengthening disaster preparedness and recovery strategies for the communities you serve. This interactive training will equip participants with practical tools, resources, and response frameworks to support households before, during, and after natural disasters and community emergencies.Led by housing expert Pamelia Harris, the training will explore the critical role housing counselors play in disaster readiness, housing stability, financial recovery, and long-term community resilience. Participants will gain insights into disaster recovery programs, crisis response coordination, client advocacy, housing navigation strategies, and effective partnerships with local agencies and service providers.The program will also feature a dedicated engagement and networking session with local leaders and organizations actively involved in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across Alabama. This collaborative session is designed to foster relationship-building, resource sharing, and cross-sector partnerships that strengthen community impact.Participants will learn how to: Prepare clients and communities for disaster-related housing disruptionsNavigate federal, state, and local disaster recovery resourcesSupport displaced households with housing stabilization strategiesAddress financial recovery and post-disaster counseling needsBuild partnerships with emergency management and community stakeholdersDevelop action plans that promote long-term housing resilienceTraining DetailsFormat: In-Person TrainingDate: July 27-28, 2026Location: Birmingham, ALAudience: Housing counselors, nonprofit housing organizations, community development professionals, and housing stability practitionersThis training offers an opportunity to deepen your disaster response knowledge, connect with peers and local leaders, and strengthen your capacity to support resilient communities before and after disasters occur.

High Performing Organizations Have Level 5 Leaders

All high performing organizations have a Level 5 leader. “Level 5” is the highest level in a hierarchy of executive capabilities that can guide an organization from good to great. A Level 5 leader directs, guides, and influences the behavior of members of the team to accomplish organizational goals. Leaders are also visionaries and motivate the organization to future goals.Leadership is an important function of management and a necessary skill for the growth of an organization. Even when the factors of success fall into place, Level 5 leaders must remain constantly vigilant. These leaders must possess the skills of modesty, humility, and fearlessness.No matter the phase of growth of an organization, this course will discuss the different characteristics of a Level 5 Leader and leadership styles. We will also explore how Level 5 skills can be used to lead in BIPOC communities that we serve.You will learn: The importance of leadershipQualities of a Level 5 LeaderThe relationship and differences between leadership and managementEmotional Intelligence in a Level 5 LeaderLeadership StylesChallenges in Leadership

Payday Loan Alternatives: Working for Justice in Lending

Payday loans, also known as deferred presentment loans, are small-dollar credit products that are secured by a claim to the borrower’s bank account with a post-dated check or electronic debit authorization and are due in full on the borrower's next “payday”. Consumers can obtain payday loans at more than 23,000 storefronts and websites across the United States.Payday loans are often a controversial form of credit because the annual percentage rates are so high and because of the debt trap they represent. As payday loans evolve, payday and other small-dollar lenders are pushing legislators in various states to permit even more unaffordable high-cost loans that will plummet borrowers into larger and deeper debt traps. Advocates for financial wellness need to anticipate and prepare for these efforts well before bills are introduced and the lobbying begins.Join Sue from NCRC as we examine payday lending in the US:Payday loan borrower motivations and demographics.How state regulation affects payday loan usage.Featured findings from a report by The Pew Charitable Trust on payday lending.Successful efforts across the country to combat payday lending:Developing payday loan alternatives.Using story gathering and coalition building.Policy briefs, reports, polls, and other educational efforts to fight predatory lending.Together we can be the difference, helping people move from financial struggles to financial success!

Power of Partnership Part III: Collaborating with Banks and Financial Institutions

Nonprofit organizations and financial institutions share the unique responsibility of being trusted resources and service providers to their communities. Residents rely on the services, advice, and expertise of each valued neighborhood stakeholder, creating an atmosphere for collaboration. Traditional bank and nonprofit partnerships were superficial, often not moving beyond an occasional board membership or basic event sponsorship. Today, financial institutions and nonprofits are collaborating to create dramatic positive change in their service footprint while increasing the capacity and community investment of each entity. Both banks and nonprofits may achieve mutual success for their organizations through solutions-oriented relationships, as their mutual focus and key attribute toward growth. During this webinar, we will explore the dynamics of successful partnerships between financial organizations and nonprofits. In addition, we will explore best practices and innovations producing highly effective initiatives involving nonprofits and financial institutions. You will learn: Understand baseline information about the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and traditional collaborative opportunities for financial institutions and nonprofit partners.Overview of CRA evaluations to gain an understanding of examples where banks received CRA credit for community investment activities.Discuss how nonprofit leadership can perform due diligence, learning the bank's area of focus, to determine if pursuing the financial institution as a possible partnership would be a great fit and mutually beneficial. Understand the courting process and how to build and maintain equitable relationships for effective partnership. Also, determine the financial institutions’ grant-making schedule to increase the approval chances and decrease inefficiency. Understand the difference between community benefit and community impact and strategies to attain each through the partnership.

Disaster Preparation for Practitioners

Disasters like hurricanes may be expected events with days of warning to allow communities to prepare for impact. However, recent disasters in the news such as wildfires, earthquakes and chemical spills have highlighted the role housing counselors may play in helping residents in their community prepare for disaster. NCRC has developed a step by step guide that outlines critical key steps that nonprofit practitioners should take to help their communities mitigate damage and avoid stress.During this webinar, participants will have the opportunity to review the Guide and explore tools practitioners may utilize to assist clients as they prepare their families for disaster and navigate through the aftermath. We will also help nonprofit staff understand how they can participate as their agency develops and implements the appropriate plans and policies, to avoid risk to its valuable assets and resources.We know practitioners can best support their communities in disaster preparedness and recovery when they are prepared themselves. Take this opportunity to gain the knowledge about disaster preparedness.

Rebuilding Credit: What to do After Financial Hardship

Due to the financial crisis caused by the pandemic, consumers are struggling to make ends meet. Credit can be seen as the light at the end of the dark tunnel. Housing counselors become a reliable and trusted source for both families and individuals. They are there to assist in obtaining, explaining, and helping design a strategy for consumers to re-establish their credit after such a crisis. In this webinar we will address the negative information in a credit report, design a strategy to help consumers recover a credit profile after a financial hardship, and review how to deal with credit recovery situations.You will learn:How to design an advance strategy to help a consumer recover one credit profile after a financial hardshipHow to address negative information in the credit report

The 8 Soft Skills That Every Professional Needs for Success

Soft skills are the single biggest indicator of personal and professional success. In fact, a recent survey found that 85% of success is determined by them. Soft skills are attributes and abilities that help you work well with others, and effectively navigate your working environment.Soft skills are essential when working in direct services, especially when working with clients who have experienced trauma or mental health challenges. These essential skills help you to provide the resources and services which will increase clients’ successes and retention within the program. Staff who focus on these core areas will be more productive, better able to problem solve, and more prepared to work collaboratively with co-workers.Additionally, soft skills are not only useful for practitioners, they are identified as the most important skill set for leaders to have and are key in effectively communicating change and expectations. When leaders focus on building and strengthening these essential skills, they are better equipped to create a culture of psychological safety and belonging. The use of soft skills is also needed to address policy and practices to foster racial equity and inclusion.

Identifying and Addressing Microaggressions - The BIPOC Experience

Being a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) in the workplace can present unique challenges, as these individuals may face discrimination, bias, and microaggressions based on their race or ethnicity. Managers play an important role in creating a positive and inclusive work environment for BIPOC employees.Participants will learn about the impact of microaggressions on BIPOC employees and strategies for recognizing and addressing them.

Student Loans: Challenges and Changes

Every housing counselor knows at least one customer who has been impacted by student loans. The consumers we serve are either struggling to make unaffordable payments, or that student loan debt is canceled after years of attempting to have them forgiven (and being told ‘no’). Recent government activity includes measures that help discharge loans for disabled borrowers, places limits on interest rates and can allow public service and nonprofit employees to have their loans forgiven over time.NCRC is staying on top of the latest information about student loans and will pass on this information to you during our 90-minute webinar. You will know the qualification guidelines for student loan forgiveness. We will cover updates and tools that can help you discuss repayment options and terms with your customers.Participants will learn:How student loan debt impacts your customers.Lender and mortgage regulation to calculate student loan debt in loan ratios.Brief overview of repayment options and requirements.Tools you can use to integrate student loans into your services.The latest news about the Biden administration’s changes to the federal student loan system.

Unconventional Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofits

Grants are a primary funding source that keeps many nonprofit organizations afloat. However, grants are not the only way to attract and secure financial contributions for your charitable entity. During COVID-19, organizations face growing pressure to find creative and new sources of funding, especially in a virtual world. This webinar will expose fundraisers and nonprofit leaders to innovative ways to attract donors and donations, and will offer ideas, insight and tangible strategies on how fundraisers can think outside the box when brainstorming non-traditional funding sources.You will learn:How to solicit individuals who can financially support your causeWhere to find new donors who would love to donate to your non-profit but don't know you existWhat systems to use to process payments with ease when accepting individual donations

Marketing Housing Counseling Programs and Services in a Changing Economic Landscape

Instructor: Pamelia Harris Date: June 25, 2026 Price: Members free, $50 for non-membersIn today's evolving housing and economic environment, housing counseling agencies must use innovative outreach and marketing strategies to connect with diverse communities and increase awareness of their services. This course explores effective approaches for leveraging community partnerships, data-driven outreach, social media, and targeted engagement strategies to reach underserved populations, build trust, demonstrate program impact, and expand access to housing counseling services. Pamelia Harris is a strategic consultant delivering end-to-end advisory and implementation support to nonprofits, businesses, and community-based organizations. She partners with leadership to design, operationalize, and scale high-impact initiatives, strengthen governance and accountability, and build durable systems that advance housing counseling and community development outcomes. Her work also integrates crisis management, disaster preparedness, and recovery planning, ensuring organizations are equipped to navigate disruption while sustaining long-term impact.

Financial Recovery and Debt Management Strategies for Post-Crisis Clients

Instructor: Gerardo Ravelo Date: July 21st, 2026 This course provides housing counselors and financial professionals with practical strategies to assist clients recovering from financial hardship or crisis situations. Participants will learn how to assess debt obligations, develop sustainable budgeting plans, improve credit management skills, and guide clients through financial recovery processes. The training focuses on helping post-crisis clients rebuild financial stability, strengthen long-term money management habits, and identify available resources to support successful recovery and future financial resilience.

How to Utilize Artificial Intelligence for Effective Marketing Outreach

One of the hottest topics in recent months has been Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on the world, including marketing. What is AI and how it can improve your outreach to the communities you serve?AI has already begun to transform the way marketing is done in communities. Organizations must understand AI and its impact on marketing strategies to stay competitive. Those who stay up to date with the latest AI information and skills will be best equipped to use AI to create effective marketing outreach campaigns, regardless of their budget.AI has the potential to revolutionize marketing and this webinar is for anyone who wants to learn more about it. You will discover what AI is, how it will shape marketing in the future, and how to use it now to build outreach campaigns.The webinar will cover:An overview of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on outreachAvailable AI marketing tools and how to use themSteps to create effective marketing outreach campaigns using AI

Housing Solutions: Advancing Green, Sustainable, and Resilient Housing

Instructor: Edward Gaston Date: July 23, 2026 As housing costs rise and communities face increasing environmental and climate-related challenges, housing counselors play a vital role in helping clients achieve resilient, healthy, and efficient sustainable housing. This engaging training provides practical strategies for developing green and resilient housing for the benefit of homeowners. Participants will learn how energy-efficient and resilient housing improvements can lower utility costs, improve health and safety, reduce disaster risks, and strengthen long-term housing stability. The workshop will also discuss importance of identifying community resources, and counseling techniques that empower clients to make informed housing decisions. Ideal for housing counselors and housing professionals, this training equips participants with actionable tools to help clients build healthier and more resilient homes and communities. Edward Gaston is a community and economic development professional with expertise in strategic partnerships, nonprofit and real estate development, workforce initiatives, and economic mobility. He works to strengthen communities and expand opportunities through collaborative leadership, innovative problem-solving, and impactful community-centered projects.

Power of Digital Marketing: Strategies for Reaching and Engaging Your Audience

What do you need to reach your customers? Few would argue the power that marketing has to connect your customers to the programs, resources, and services that can impact lives and transform communities. For decades, reaching an audience consisted of traditional marketing options such as word of mouth, flyers and newspapers, radio and then television, which turned the tide to reach millions quickly.But the internet changed everything. Marketing has never been the same. Knowing demographics like age, geography, or ethnicity is a good start. Yet psychographics like interests, hobbies, activities and even cell preferences are used to better target customers, especially online. The digital world has impacted every facet of marketing so what are the basics every marketer should master now? Knowing how to market in a constantly changing digital world - even without digital tools - is critical.Join NCRC to master marketing basics. How to start and what should a marketing strategy include these days?The webinar will cover:The basics of marketing and how to master themHow to create a marketing strategy for a program, event, or organization

Racial Inequality and the Homebuying Process

Racism and discrimination can occur in each stage of home buying, making it nearly impossible for individuals in the Black community to enjoy the process or reach the end goal of actual homeownership. Stereotypes and discrimination are part of the problem although laws have been put in place to attempt to hinder these occurrences. I know you are probably asking yourself why it persists, and what can I do to prevent it?Join NCRC for this webinar where we will do a deep dive into understanding how racial inequality happens at each stage in the home buying process and what we can do to overcome it.

Knowing When Your Client Has Achieved Mortgage Readiness Mentally

This course is designed to provide housing counselors with a comprehensive understanding of assessing a client's mental mortgage readiness. Participants will learn the importance of evaluating a client's mental mortgage readiness and critical factors that impact mortgage readiness before pursuing homeownership. In addition, assist the housing counselor in understanding how to assist clients in developing a financial plan that aligns with their client’s long-term goals. Ultimately, this course will provide practical strategies for assessing a client's mental mortgage readiness, developing collaborative programs, and addressing financial concerns that can impact a client's willingness to purchase a home and obtain a mortgage.

Life after Eviction

When eviction occurs, housing stability becomes top priority. An eviction can cause a variety of financial challenges for individuals. These challenges may prohibit them from securing stable and permanent housing. Housing Counselors are in a key position to help families identify resources and strategies that can help individuals rebuild after an eviction has taken place. During this webinar counselors can expect to understand:The impacts of evictionCommon barriers linked to evictionStrategies to help rebuild after an eviction

Judicial and Non-Judicial Foreclosure Processes and Timelines

This webinar is designed to provide a brief overview of strategies used to avoid foreclosure in the context of judicial and non-judicial foreclosure processes and timelines. Also, it is designed for housing counselors who are actively providing mortgage delinquency, default, and foreclosure counseling. Participants will learn the strategies that are most successful in judicial and non-judicial foreclosure processes.You will learn:The strategies that are most successful in judicial and non-judicial foreclosure processesThe triggers that lead to foreclosure in each process and learn about strategies to use in time-limited processes

Master Negotiation with Mortgage Servicers

Post residential mortgage moratoriums, housing counselors now need to utilize a wider range of strategies to assist clients in avoiding foreclosure. This webinar is for HUD certified housing counselors who are actively working with delinquent mortgage borrowers. Housing Counselors will receive a brief overview of using available funding sources, workout package strategies, and various negotiation approaches for interacting with mortgage servicers and servicers’ counsel, in the context of sometimes limited or court imposed deadlines.Join NCRC to learn how to increase your ability to quickly assess the root cause of the consumer’s problem, increase your ability to creatively utilize and apply both traditional and non-traditional approaches that result in reasonable and sustainable terms for the consumer.