Events

NAHRO Professional Development Training

NAHRO Professional Development is offering Symposium registrants an optional add-on opportunity to attend a NAHRO professional development training, It Begins with YOUth! – The Story of Self, Us, and NOW!

This special training is only available as part of Symposium registration, at a discounted add-on fee of $275 for members, $575 for non-members. Pre-registration is required and space is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. A waiting list will not be maintained.

Training Schedule:
Wednesday, July 15: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Trainers: Jeter White, Training and Certification Associate and Renee Smith, NAHRO Associate Faculty

Description:
When talking about “families” in housing, how often do you stop to think about the young people within them?  Across affordable housing communities, youth are not just part of the household. They are often the most immediate witnesses to how housing policy, community conditions, and leadership decisions shape daily life. That is why NAHRO’s youth program motto is: “It begins with YOUth!” 

This immersive training guides participants through the full S.U.N. Public Narrative Framework (Story of Self, Story of Us, and Story of Now) using realistic youth personas to explore leadership, advocacy, and the power of storytelling. Participants step into youth perspectives to uncover challenges, values, and shared experiences, then practice crafting and delivering Stories of Now that inspire action. Stepping back into their own perspective, participants will use empathy mapping to identify key changes they can make as adult leaders to amplify youth voice, strengthen engagement, and create meaningful impact.

Objectives:

  • Step into the shoes of youth using realistic personas to experience firsthand how housing and community policies impact their lives. 
  • Reflect on personal values and leadership practices to understand how decisions and actions shape youth engagement and outcomes. 
  • Explore shared youth experiences and adult responses to uncover barriers, build trust, and strengthen collective voice and leadership. 
  • Craft and deliver compelling “Stories of Now” that translate personal and collective insights into timely, values-driven action. 
  • Reflect on their own leadership practices through the lens of youth perspectives to identify specific, actionable changes that amplify youth voice, strengthen engagement and create meaningful impact. 

Who should attend?

  • Resident Services Staff
  • Individuals that work with or serve youth in their communities 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

  • Committee Conflicts: Attendance at this session does not constitute an excused absence from any concurrent NAHRO Committee meetings. 
  • Policies: This add-on session is subject to the same cancellation and substitution policies as the NAHRO Summer Symposium.  
  • Refreshments: Coffee will be provided during the morning session only.