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Winter 2025 - New Year's Edition

Your Rocky Mount Housing Authority
Residents' Newsletter
P O Box 4717
Rocky Mount, NC 27803
RMHA Website is Located at www.rm-ha.org

RMHA Looking Ahead - 7 New Year's Resolutions to Make a Difference in your Community

  1. Make an effort to perform a simple random act of kindness every day.
    Say hello to your neighbor. Offer a seat to someone standing. Wait 10 seconds before you lean on the car horn to let the car in front of you know that the light has changed! Let the person with two items go ahead of you in line at the grocery store. Yes, I know, these don't seem like major things, but just think how you would feel if you were on the receiving end.

  2. Make good manners a part of who you are.
    Start simple. Remember a time when we would say, "Excuse me?" when trying to politely get someone's attention or when we bumped into someone? Manners go a long way, but unfortunately it seems we aren't using them or passing them onto our youth anymore. Teach your children manners through example. You'll be surprised how a few kind words can make a difference in someone's day.

  3. Donate gently used clothing or non-perishable food items.
    Whenever you notice your pantry is overflowing with too many cans and boxes of food or you can't fit one more jacket in your coat closet, this is your cue to get a bag and donate extra non-perishable food and gently used clothing. Find your local food pantry or check with a local church for donation locations.

  4. Think about something that's important to you and find a way to volunteer or donate to the cause.
    Sometimes, the commitment to volunteer a specific number of days or hours concerns people and may prevent them from helping. Decide what you can commit to do. Whether it's once a week, once a month, or even a one-time event, you decide. Volunteering should make you feel good, not bad, because you can't do it all the time. There are opportunities everywhere in many forms. Take time to do the research and think about how you can use your talents to help others.

  5. Practice Patience.
    This is probably one of the most difficult resolutions since our world has become one where we want results immediately. However, if we all practiced just a little patience, we might not lose our tempers so quickly. And, if we couple patience with our small acts of kindness, just imagine how the world would truly be a nicer place.

  6. Save some energy.
    We can all do a better job on this one. Turn off the lights as you leave the room. Don't let the faucet run when you brush your teeth; put on a sweater and lower the heat, and leave the car at home and walk to your destination for quick trips. Getting out and walking through your neighborhood will also give you the opportunity to greet and get to know your neighbors!

  7. Help your community as a family.
    It can be something as simple as making sandwiches and small care packages for the homeless, checking in on or visiting with elderly neighbors, or making a grocery run to the market for those that can't do it. You could even host your own neighborhood food drive, volunteer at a food pantry or help clean up a local park. Ask your children how they want to make a difference in the world and figure out a way to do it together.

Happy New Year! May the new year bring you lots of kindness, great joy, laughter, good health, and many opportunities to make a difference in the RMHA communities!

RMHA Special Events - Christmas Luncheons for our Seniors

Holiday time 2024 proved to be once again a festive occasion in and around the RMHA senior community. Senior residents from the Weeks Armstrong and West End Terrace communities were invited to a local restaurant and enjoyed a buffet-style holiday luncheon with all the trimmings. Residents at the Lucille Powell Village (downtown Rocky Mount) were brought together in their on-site dining hall and provided a catered holiday luncheon. Both groups participated in a pre-luncheon program where guest speakers gave a word of holiday cheer, RMHA staff led in singing a series of holiday favorites, and our CEO presented each attendee with a special Christmas gift from the agency.

Individuals eating at a table. Close up of individuals eating at a table. Two ladies sitting at a table.

RMHA Special Events - Fall Festival 2024

Fall Festival 2024 occurred at our Weeks Armstrong housing community this year. Once again, residents from all RMHA properties came out and enjoyed an afternoon of fun, food, festivities, and information sharing. RMHA staff, board members, city officials, and community partners were all in attendance and provided residents, youth and adults, with an opportunity to simply enjoy their surroundings, participate in drawings for prizes, receive employment, education, and health information, while the youngsters played on the bouncy houses, created artwork, and a delicious meal was had by everyone.

Two individuals sitting at a table smiling. A man and a woman sitting together. A woman sitting at a blue table.
A man pointing to items on a table. A family with children standing together for a photo. Two woman speaking while standing by a white table.
A canopy with pumpkins around it. The resident council table. Individuals serving food.
Two individuals standing by a truck. A group of people by a fire truck. A man and a woman standing together for a photo.

RMHA Special Events - Ward 4 Fall Festival

During October of 2024, Councilman TJ Walker brought a second fall festival to Aycock Park which borders our West End Terrace community, to the delight of the public housing residents and surrounding community members. Music, festival food, hayrides, and bouncy houses were great entertainment features that the attendees thoroughly enjoyed. Councilman Walker stated that "Community engagement is a measure that I committed to fulfill from the start of my initial candidacy. It not only brings people together but allows me, as a community servant, to keep my finger on the pulse of the communities that fall within my purview".

A group of individuals standing by a fence. Individuals sitting on carriage pulled by two horses. Children playing on a bounce house.

RMHA Partnerships - Nash CC to Begin at WET

RMHA is excited to bring to the West End Terrace community teaching professionals and Continuing Education courses by way of Nash Community College. In early 2025, the Hyman Battle Community Center will house on-site classes that will give adult learners easy access to learning and development opportunities. Residents have shown interest in enrolling in a wide variety of courses that will allow them to personally and professionally develop. Therefore, Nash will be delivering an array of short-term certification classes as well as an assortment of Human Resource Development (HRD) classes and workshops. For more information, call 252-985-4130. (Pictured from left to right) Angela Robinson, RMHA's FSS Coordinator; Roslyn Pemberton, NCC's College and Career Readiness Director; Jonee Callahan, NCC's Workforce Continuing Education Director; Carla Dunston, NCC's Dean of Continuing Education; and Everette Silver, RMHA's ROSS Coordinator.

A group of individuals standing in line.

RMHA Partnerships - ECC Enters Third Year of On-Site High School Equivalency

The start of the spring semester 2025 brought Edgecombe Community College's basic skills instruction back to the Weeks Armstrong Resource Center to offer High School Equivalency (GED) instruction. Students - most of whom are RMHA residents - are receiving classroom instruction and test preparation in the subject areas required by the State to successfully pass the five state-level exams (Reading, Science, Social Studies, Writing, and Math). Anyone 16 years or older who needs to complete high school can call 252-985-4130 to enroll. An online option is also available.

Individuals using computers.

RMHA Programs - Promoting Self-Sufficiency is What We Do

A group of women standing in line.

RMHA has two self-sufficiency programs that enable eligible residents to enroll, set personal development, educational, and financial goals, and at the end of the day, find themselves and their households in a better place. The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program helps families build financial security and plan for the future through personalized case management and an escrow savings account. If a resident's earned income increases during the program, the PHA puts the extra rent into their escrow account. The funds are available to the residents when they successfully complete the program.

The Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) program is a program for public housing residents that offers supportive services, resident empowerment activities, and assistance in becoming economically self-sufficient. The two programs held their first Self-Sufficiency Completion Ceremony in early December 2024, where twenty program participants from both programs were recognized for the credentials, certifications, and personal development successes they achieved during their program tenure. These program graduates yielded industry-related credentials and course credits from our area community colleges that included Notary Certification, Administrative Assistant course, Explore a Career in Nursing course, Basic Life Support Certification, Career Readiness Certification, as well as assistance in completing various degree programs. Dr. Gregory McLeod (below, top left), President of Edgecombe Community College, delivered the keynote address to the graduates. Below are pictures from that event and other 2024 RMHA. Self-Sufficiency successes.

A man speaking at a podium. Two women holding an award. A group of individuals holding an award.
Individuals standing together holding an award. A woman holding an award. A woman in a room smiling.
Three individuals standing in a room.

RMHA Programs - CPR Certification Class On-Site at Weeks

Another Self-Sufficiency initiative occurred for participants enrolled in ROSS and FSS during the month of October 2024. Participants were afforded the opportunity to enroll in and complete CPR and First Aid certifications. Grant funds secured from the Z Smith Reynolds Foundation through RMHA's Resident Services team continue to allow public housing and Section 8 program participants to earn certifications and credentials at no cost to them. Pictured below are residents who completed the first certification class. Subsequently, a November certification class was held, with additional residents receiving this certification.

A group of people standing together. Individuals practicing CPR on a test dummy. Three women practicing CPR.

RMHA Youth Spotlight - R.Y.S.E. Leadership Academy 2025

The R.Y.S.E. (Reaching Youth - Supporting Excellence) Leadership Academy will take on a different format this year. During past cohorts, the Leadership Academy has offered our youth a wonderful multi-week experience in character development, goal setting, strategic planning, effective communication, relating to people, openness to learning and inspiring others. However, starting early 2025, not only will we continue to provide these leadership inclusions, we will incorporate, during each week, a motivational workshop that will serve to have youth learn to create a mindset of wellness in their daily lives. We will also incorporate an evening each week to offer a hands-on vocational learning experience for youth. For more information, call 252.985.4130 or email jharper@rm-ha.org. Below are pictures of our past Leadership Academy cohorts.

A large group of people holding various awards. A large group of individuals standing outside. Individuals standing by a wall.
A group of children and adults standing outside. Individuals holding awards. Individuals sitting at a large table.

RMHA Safety Corner - Community Safety for Everyone

  • Be aware: Be aware of your surroundings and potential dangers. Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas, and stay in well-lit areas.
  • Stay connected: Get to know your neighbors and share information with them. Encourage neighbors to report suspicious activity to the authorities.
  • Secure your home: Install a security system, keep your exterior lights on, and lock your doors and windows. If you travel, ask a neighbor to check on your house.
  • Improve your neighborhood: Keep your neighborhood clean and free of litter, abandoned cars, and run-down buildings.
  • Educate children: Teach children about safety and prevention tactics.
  • Establish a community watch: Consider establishing a community watch or safe walk program.
  • Address homelessness: Partner with your property manager and address homelessness in your community.

Brought to you by your RMHA Safety Committee.

Teresa's Winter Recipe Corner
Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Ingredients:

  • Broth: Recipe uses one cup less broth than the traditional beef stew on the stove.
  • All Purpose Flour thickens the cooking liquid. You can use all-purpose or gluten-free.
  • Tomato Paste adds a rich tomato flavor.
  • Salt and Black Pepper season the stew.
  • Beef Chuck Roast: Trim the fat from boneless chuck roast and cut it into small cubes.
  • Vegetables: Yukon Gold potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, frozen peas.
  • Garlic Cloves add a rich aroma, enhancing the stew's savory flavors.
  • Herbs: Fresh thyme and bay leaves.

Instructions:

  1. Brown the Meat and Vegetables: Brown the beef in a large skillet on high heat. Transfer it to the slow cooker, and then brown the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic in the skillet.
  2. Add Everything to the Crock Pot: Transfer the sauteed veggies to the slow cooker, and add the potatoes, mushrooms, thyme, and bay leaves.
  3. Cooking Liquid: Blend the broth, flour, tomato paste, salt, and pepper in a blender. Pour it into the slow cooker.
  4. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 8 hours until the beef stew meat is fork tender.
  5. Add the Peas: After 8 hours, discard the herbs and stir in the peas. Taste and add more salt if needed.

RMHA Employee Welcome - New Additions to the RMHA Family

Fred Lindsey Headshot.Fred Lindsey Matthew Boone Headshot.Matthew Boone Shykethia Grant Headshot.Shykethia Grant


Our agency is very pleased to have joined the RMHA family three new team members. Fred Lindsey has come aboard as the Lead Maintenance Technician at Weeks Armstrong Homes. Matthew Boone has assumed the responsibilities as a Maintenance Laborer. Shykethia Grant has acquired the role of Property Manager Assistant at West End Terrace. We welcome each of these individuals into our RMHA family as they have already begun to use their talents and skills to keep our communities functional, safe, and welcoming.

RMHA Announcements/Upcoming Events

  • It's Scholarship Season! - Parents of all graduating high school seniors are encouraged to connect with the Resident Services Department and learn about the opportunities. Call 252-985-4130.

  • Employment Vacancies - RMHA is actively recruiting for the positions of an Administrative Management Assistant and a Maintenance Mechanic Assistant. Call Ms. Gunter at 252-450-3527 for more information.

  • Game Night - Game Night at Weeks will resume during the month of April 2025 in the Community Center every 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm. Game Night at West End Terrace will start during the month of April 2025 in the Hyman Battle Community Center every 1st Thursday of the month at 6 pm.

  • Homebuyers Education In-person Class will be held on the following Saturdays: Feb 22, 2025, Apr 26, 2025, June 7, 2025, Aug 23, 2025, and Oct 25, 2025. Dates are subject to change. Call Ms. Teresa Rhodes at 252-407-1941 for more information.

  • Our Website - Check out RMHA's website which was re-launched about a year ago. We want this resource to be one more way we can remain connected to our residents. Visit www.rm-ha.org.

Mr. Kelvin Macklin, CEO

RMHA Contact Numbers

Administrative Office Main #: 252.977.3141

West End Terrace:

Weeks Armstrong:

RMHA Board of Commissioners:

  • Lea Henry, Chairman
  • Ted Lord, Vice Chairman
  • Kevin Jones
  • Benton Moss
  • Tarrick Pittman
  • Tysheedah Cherry

RMHA Newsletter:

  • Editor: Jerry Harper
  • Assistant Editor: Teresa Rhodes

Articles published in the RMHA Residents' Newsletter do not necessarily represent an endorsement by the Rocky Mount Housing Authority or its Board of Commissioners. We are committed, however, to inform our readers of programs and activities that have a direct or indirect impact on the residents we serve.