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<p><strong>The sentiment of solidarity runs deep within the Hello Neighbor Network.</strong></p><figure><img alt="Picture of the original painted logo design for the 2025 Network Convening." src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*BAikrAvyEJwlyHjFaVUH-g.jpeg" /><figcaption>Picture of the original painted logo design for the 2025 Network Convening.</figcaption></figure><p>This has never been more true than it is in this moment, with our newest neighbors facing waves of new challenges and threats to their safety and stability in America.</p><p>In line with this sentiment, we were honored to gather 27 of our Network leaders, representing 13 states, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania between February 10–12th, 2025 for our annual Network Convening.</p><p>The theme our Members selected for this year’s Network Convening was <strong>“Strength in Solidarity”</strong>. Indeed, throughout the event it was evident just how powerful our community is when standing united as grassroots leaders working together to build stronger, more welcoming communities.</p><p>We are so grateful to everyone who brought their energy, expertise, openness, and authenticity to this event. We are perpetually in awe at the strength present within and across our Network community.</p><p>Keep reading for highlights from this year’s Convening, data-driven insights from attendee survey responses, and more.</p><h3>Attendee Reflections</h3><figure><img alt="Group photo captured at the 2025 Network Convening." src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*t4f-IEJ3nqh8Y3lZbTfKgw.jpeg" /><figcaption>Group photo captured at the 2025 Network Convening.</figcaption></figure><blockquote><strong><em>“I’m bringing home renewed energy. This has been a heavy time for our organizations and the communities we serve; however, I was inspired by the work of other [Network] Members and am encouraged to press on.”</em></strong></blockquote><blockquote><strong><em>“Networking with other agencies helped create deeper connections and opened up conversations about programming. The organizational struggles are similar.”</em></strong></blockquote><blockquote><strong><em>“It felt as if we are all on one team and fighting for the same rights for our clients.”</em></strong></blockquote><h3>Attendee Feedback/Data Insights</h3><figure><img alt="100% of attendees felt welcomed as their full self and had the accommodations necessary to participate fully" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/641/1*mKCiGkrdwLaKVQm57MhjuQ.png" /></figure><figure><img alt="90% of attendees have at least one new idea around organizational and/or community change" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/528/1*e1qwLvRO4_RXGSGTD5zMaw.png" /></figure><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/328/1*9whE8yTENMug4q2Ds-KDrw.png" /></figure><figure><img alt="44% of this year’s Convening attendees attended a previous Network Convening" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/412/1*9q6VYAdpU_2voOI1eO9OYg.png" /></figure><h4>80% of the total vendor dollars used at this year’s Convening ($4 out of every $5) were spent with refugee/immigrant-owned businesses!</h4><h3>Highlights</h3><figure><img alt="A group of our 2025 Network Fellows pose for a picture (L-R: Dauda, Lillian, Zeenath, Maya, Shayna, Khalil)" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*qP0DNwHGmkhbFZLOlBPVyg.jpeg" /></figure><figure><img alt="Emerging Leaders Kristen and Lee listen intently as a member of their group shares an idea." src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*XapGZ4ufyUtcXvST9dA5qQ.jpeg" /><figcaption>LEFT: A group of our 2025 Network Fellows pose for a picture (L-R: Dauda, Lillian, Zeenath, Maya, Shayna, Khalil) | RIGHT: Emerging Leaders Kristen and Lee listen intently as a member of their group shares an idea.</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="2025 Network Convening attendees explore Hello Neighbor’s storage warehouse during a tour of our office space in Pittsburgh, PA." src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*X8_R-3LkKCHxT11hV0Quyg.jpeg" /><figcaption>2025 Network Convening attendees explore Hello Neighbor’s storage warehouse during a tour of our office space in Pittsburgh, PA.</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="Khalil celebrates his victory at the 2025 Network Convening Pitch Competition." src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*w9u5qvyHbwbp7KfbQ2MdgQ.jpeg" /></figure><figure><img alt="Dauda celebrates his victory at the 2025 Network Convening Pitch Competition." src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*i6iQLzq8MOhu2WOQffOoTw.jpeg" /><figcaption>Khalil (LEFT) and Dauda (RIGHT) celebrate their victory at the 2025 Network Convening Pitch Competition.</figcaption></figure><h3>Thank You To Our Generous Network Sponsors!</h3><figure><img alt="Walmart Foundation Logo" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*MOGgOeOwQ2ClGzVxXwboXA.png" /></figure><figure><img alt="Posner Foundation of Pittsburg Logo" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/783/1*8Rhph0vzdZ8QvKu48NxvzQ.png" /></figure><figure><img alt="Stand Together Foundation Logo" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/500/1*yMHrjRmzV0O1JwV3QoXyjQ.png" /></figure><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/500/1*38WSCKzcgur_DuZ1gKMZ1w.png" /></figure><figure><img alt="USA for UNHCR Logo" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/421/1*3oRBAHDKtoWo-H8C2AfjYQ.png" /></figure><figure><img alt="Hello Neighbor Network Logo" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/576/0*Bb_mAtjxqBAeDc2E.png" /></figure><p><strong>About Hello Neighbor Network</strong></p><p>The <a href="https://www.neighbornetwork.io/">Hello Neighbor Network</a>, powered by <a href="https://www.helloneighbor.io/">Hello Neighbor</a>, works with grassroots leaders and organizations across the United States serving immigrants and refugees. It promotes greater understanding and connection between new neighbors and host communities and encourages the development of more resilient and inclusive communities by supporting nonprofit organizations and their leaders.</p><p>For more information, please visit <a href="http://neighbornetwork.io/">neighbornetwork.io</a></p><img src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&referrerSource=full_rss&postId=09a041bff467" width="1" height="1" alt=""><hr><p><a href="https://medium.com/hello-neighbor-network/strength-in-solidarity-2025-network-convening-recap-09a041bff467">“Strength in Solidarity”: 2025 Network Convening Recap</a> was originally published in <a href="https://medium.com/hello-neighbor-network">Hello Neighbor Network</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>