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Summer 2025 - Self-Sufficiency 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 - Self Sufficiency: The Foundation of a Strong Life.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Self-Sufficiency Programs aim to increase the financial well-being of HUD-assisted residents through various initiatives. These programs focus on providing training, services, and resources that help families build assets, increase earned income, and achieve long-term financial independence, while also promoting housing stability.

Self-sufficiency is defined as an individual's ability to support their household by maintaining financial, housing, and personal/family stability. To achieve self-sufficiency, an individual moves along a continuum towards economic independence and stability; such movement is facilitated by the achievement of individual educational, professional, and health-related goals

Angela Robinson headshot.
Angela Robinson, RMHA's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Coordinator, manages a caseload of public housing and Section 8 participants in this program, which is one of the largest HUD efforts to promote self-sufficiency among those receiving federal rental assistance. FSS courses on helping participants access employment, financial literacy, education, and training assistance, and other community services. It includes a financial incentive for residents to increase their earnings, and case management or coaching to help them access needed services. 

Everett Silver headshot.
Everett Silver, RMHA's Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Program Service Coordinator manages a caseload of only Public Housing participants. He assesses the needs of Public Housing residents and links them to local training and supportive services that will enable participants to move along the self-sufficiency continuum. In the case of elderly/residents with disabilities, the Service Coordinator also links them to congregate and other supportive services which enable them to age/remain in place in addition to providing other desired training and supportive services which are made available to other residents.

This newsletter edition will highlight some of the successes our Self-Sufficiency residents have attained over the past year. Funding that has paid for them to meet their educational goals was and continues to be provided in large by the PNC Foundation Grant and the Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Grant; two personal development partners that we at RMHA are grateful to have their support. We encourage motivated residents to take a closer look at or Self-Sufficiency programs.

"God blessed us with this great nation, and together, we can increase self-sufficiency and empower Americans to climb the economic ladder toward a brighter future." - Secretary Scott Turner

RMHA Industry Training #1 - CPR Certifications

Our Self-Sufficiency coordinators partnered with Breathe Respiratory Therapy to offer certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Participants who gained this certification have positioned themselves to be more employable in the fields of childcare,  senior care, security personnel, and care providers for the special needs population. Pictured below are the participants who gained this certification during 2024-2025.

Kate Mercer headshot. Kate Mercer

Chanda Evans headshot. Chanda Evans

Javine Bryant headshot. Javine Bryant

Tameka Foster headshot. Tameka Foster

Ebony Whitaker headshot. Ebony Whitaker

Camari Taylor headshot. Camari Taylor

Jasmine Smith headshot. Jasmine Smith

Not Pictured: Latrice Bynum and Tiara McGhee

RMHA Industry Training #2 - Explore a Career in Nursing Credential

The Explore a Career in Nursing course is part of the short-term training courses offered at Edgecombe Community College (ECC) and one that several of our Self-Sufficiency participants gravitated towards. This course gave those who were interested in obtaining a diploma, certificate, or degree in nursing insight about what Nurse Assistant I & II (CAN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and Registered Nurse (RN) positions require relative to education, preparation, and certification.  Pictured below are the participants who gained   Continuing Education credits for successfully completing this course.

Javine Bryant headshot. Javine Bryant

Chanda Evans headshot. Chandra Evans

Jasmine Smith headshot. Jasmine Smith

Not Pictured: Khadijah Harrison

RMHA Industry Training #3 - Homeownership Certifications

Homeownership is often a goal that our FSS and ROSS participants set out to achieve when they are entering the Self-Sufficiency programs. RMHA offers the HUD- approved Homebuyer's Education class on a consistent basis throughout the year. Eligible participants can gain the Homeownership Certification and position themselves to be qualified for additional financial incentives at the onset of their homebuying process. Pictured are two participants who gained the certification during 2024-2025. 

Raven Dunn headshot. Raven Dunn

Markea Grant headshot. Markea Grant

RMHA Industry Training #4 - Nurse Aid I & II Certifications

Individuals wanting to go far into the field of Nursing often wil begin by getting their CNA I & II credentials under their belt, work in their positions to skill-up within the profession and ultimately move on to a higher level of nursing.

Pictured here is Self-Sufficiency participant who gained both certifications and continues to work within the field.

 Javine Bryant headshot. Javine Bryant

RMHA Industry Training #5 - Notary Public Certification

This certification was also a part of the Continuing Education short-term credentials at ECC. To become a notary public in North Carolina, you must successfully pass the Notary Public Education class. Our participants pictured below have now positioned themselves to authenticate the signing of legal documents, ensure the authenticity and integrity of legal documents, administer oaths, certify copies of documents, maintain accurate records of notarial acts. Pictured here are the Self-Sufficiency participants who gained North Carolina Notary Public certification.

Javine Bryant headshot. Javine Bryant

Ebony Whitaker headshot. Ebony Whitaker

RMHA Industry Training #6 - Introduction to Criminal Law Course Completion

FSS & ROSS participants who successfully completed the introductory course to Criminal Law via ECC's Continuing Education efforts have now successfully positioned themselves to gain employment within the fields of corrections, probation, forensic science, public law enforcement, and other areas within the criminal justice system. Shown below is the ROSS participant who completed this course.

Tameka Foster headshot. Tameka Foster

RMHA Industry Training #7 - Human Resource Fundamentals Course Completion

The Human Resource Fundamentals course was yet another Continuing Education offering which participants capitalized on. Completers of the course, after gaining a deeper meaning of the human resource process, have now postured themselves to gain a higher level of HR credential and /or gain basic entry level employment in a Human Resource Capacity.

Ebony Whitaker headshot. Ebony Whitaker

RMHA Industry Training #8 - Forklift Certification

One of the primary manufacturing-related certifications that individuals who are interested in industry-related employment seek to secure is the Forklift Certification credential. This OSHA certification can enhance job prospects and demonstrate safety competence. The participant gaining this certification can now be at competitive advantage when applying for jobs, as employers often prefer candidates with demonstrated safety skills.

 Camari Taylor headshot. Camari Taylor

RMHA Industry Training #9 - Administrative Fundamentals Course Completion

This short-term Continuing Education course, Administrative Fundamentals, serves to develop an individual not only with their professional skills but their personal skillset as well. FSS and ROSS participants who completed this course at our area Community College are now equipped to gain entry level clerical employment and at the same time, be more adept at managing their household's fiscal and organizational tasks.

Carol Person headshot. Carol Person

Latoya Moore headshot. Latoya Moore

RMHA Industry Training #10 - Medical Coding Certification

Certifications within the medical field over the past decade have been highly sought after and most gaining them have been very employable. The Medical Coding certification that our Self-Sufficiency participants are able to gain, will allow them to gain employment translating patient information from healthcare providers into standardized medical codes for billing and record keeping. As a medical coder, an individual can work in various healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies. They ensure accurate billing and manage patient records.

Raven Dunn headshot. Raven Dunn

RMHA Degree Track - Associate Degrees

RMHA's FSS and ROSS coordinators are especially proud of the two participants that stayed the course, and attained their Associate Degrees. PNC Bank and The Z Smith Reynolds Foundation grants provided generous funding that allowed RMHA's Self-Sufficiency Coordinators to guide and support these participants through a complete degree program.

Chanda Evans headshot. 
Chanda Evans - Medical Office Administration - Edgecombe Community College

Dorothy Lawrence headshot.
Dorothy Lawrence - Early Childhood - Edgecombe Community college

RMHA FSS Accomplishments 2025 - Family Self-Sufficiency Graduates

Christy Cobb headshot. Christy Cobb - Weeks Armstrong Homes

Chardon Banice headshot. Chardon Banice - West End Terrace

Not Pictured: Latoya Harris and Nicole Allen - Section 8 Participants

RMHA Announcements / Upcoming Events

  • June 5 - ROSS participants will be holding their annual "Think for Success" class. While the class is graduating Self-Sufficiency participants, anyone can attend. Call 252.985.4130 for more information.

  • June 9 - RMHA Summer Camps begin at West End Terrace and Weeks Armstrong. Camps are in session Monday - Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm. Parents are required to register their children. Free breakfast and lunch are served daily.

  • June 13 - The ROSS/FSS Completion Ceremony will be held at 12 noon: Whatley Cove Club House. Call 252.985.4130 if interesting in attending.

  • On-site GED class is back in session for the summer at Weeks Armstrong Safety and Resource Center. Call Mr. Silver at 252.985.4129 for more information.

  • Game Night for residents forty (40) years of age or older is held every first Tuesday at 5:30 at the Hyman Battle Community Center/West End Terrace and every first Thursday at the Weeks Armstrong Community Center.

Resident

Mr. Kelvin Macklin, CEO

Administrative Office Main Number - 252.977.3141

RMHA Board of Commissioners:

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

RMHA Newsletter Editor: Jerry Harper

Major Photography Provided by: RMHA Staff

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 which have a direct or indirect impact on the residents we serve.