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Summer 2026 - Special Youth Edition

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

RMHA Looking Ahead - Back to School Wellness 

It's back-to-school season! As youth and their families in our RMHA communities have begun a new school year, remember to prioritize your physical, emotional, and mental wellness like you did over the summer. The back-to-school transition can bring about a range of emotions, from excitement to anxiety. Open conversations about feelings and stress management techniques can give students the tools they need to navigate their emotions effectively.

Schools and families can work together to create supportive environments that promote resilience and positive mental health not only for youth, but for the adults that support our youth as well.

To set yourself or your family up for success this school year, implement these identified wellness strategies:

  • Adjust Sleep Schedules: Ease into the school year by shifting wake-up times and bedtimes 10-15 minutes earlier each day in the weeks leading up to the start date.

  • Prioritize Nutrient-Dense Fuels: Stock up on healthy grab-and-go snacks to support focus.

  • Routine Preventive Care: Make sure physicals and vaccinations are up to date. You can schedule these at nearby medical providers in and around our city.

  • Support Mental Health: The transition back to class can cause anxiety. Establish a relaxing after-school wind-down routine, and don't hesitate to reach out to local counselors or school social workers if the stress persists.

Enjoy Your School Year!

RMHA Summer Camps - Camp KABOOM & Camp WAH-WAH

This summer, the Resident Services team during their planning phase for the summer camps incorporated a theme for each week; something they had not done in the past. They then scheduled appropriate community partners to share with the campers during the week that best aligned with their resources and services. Additionally, this summer offered the campers not one but three weeks of leadership development.

It proved to be an exciting time for all! Campers thoroughly enjoyed visits from Master James Dozier where he emphasized self-discipline, control, and confidence via karate skills. Jr. Camp Counselors spent quality time ensuring students continue to develop good reading comprehension skills while away from the classroom.

Master James Dozier teaching kids karate. Kids learning karate. People talking at a table.
Kids sitting and talking at a table. A camp counselor taking a selfie with all the kids. An older kid reading to some younger kids at a table.

RMHA Summer Camp - Camp KABOOM and Camp WAH-WAH

A person taking a photo of ten people standing for a photo.
A woman speaking to kids sitting at tables. A woman reading a book out loud. Kids holding up posters.

Above larger picture captures the culmination of the Summer Leadership Academy where Rise Up Queens & Kings, Flood & Truth, The Bahai Community and Take It By Force Ministries provided a week each of leadership development for summer teens. Bottom row of pictures (left to right) captures a session in dental hygiene, one of several visit s from Mrs. Lawrence with DEPC engaging campers in Reading and storytelling, and a leadership moment from a Flood & Truth work session.

RMHA Special Events - Celebrating our 2026 Graduates

Mayor Sandy Roberson addresses the 2026 graduates as family and community partners lend support as well

Mayor Sandy Roberson (above) addresses the 2026 graduates as family and community partners lend support as well.

Ms. Lea Henry speaking to the graduates. Dr. Gregory McLeod speaks to the graduates.

Ms. Lea Henry (left), Chairperson of RMHA's Board of Commissioners and Dr. Gregory McLeod, President of Edgecombe Community College provide graduation messages acknowledging the graduates hard work. Both leaders set a hopeful tone for the graduates next chapter in their lives.

Mr. Kevin Macklin smiling for a photo with a female graduate. Mr. Kevin Macklin smiling with a male graduate. Mr. Macklin standing and smiling with a female graduate. Mr. Kevin Macklin handing a gift card to a graduate.
Mr. Kevin Macklin standing with a male graduate. Mr. Kevin Macklin standing and smiling for a photo with a female graduate. A female graduate standing and smiling for a pic with Mr. Kevin Macklin. Mr. Macklin and a female graduate smile for a photo.

Mr. Kelvin Macklin, CEO congratulates and presents each graduate with a gift basket and two gift cards, one from The Housing Authority and one from the mayor's office.

Pictured here are eight of the ten honorees. Each graduate shared his or her future plans with the guests after formally introducing themselves. Afterwards, community partners who were present also offered remarks.

Everyone in attendance enjoyed a delicious luncheon after the recognition ceremony. This was also a time for guests to meet and greet the graduates on an individual level.

Graduates also received gifts from our area community college representatives. Nash and Edgecombe both shared their program offerings based on the graduates' plans. Some graduates had already enrolled in these
learning institutions.

RMHA National Recognition - Celebrating Achievement

Aaden Reynolds portrait.

Aaden Reynolds, RMHA youth scholar, is the proud recipient of the 2026 Brooks Jeffreys Scholarship Award. Aaden graduated from Rocky Mount High as a Magna Cum Laude honor student. He has entered North Carolina A&T State University where he will pursue a Civil Engineering degree. He is the son of Ms. Ashley Reynolds, a very active resident in our community. Aaden states, "Through Civil Engineering, I plan to make a lasting difference in the world."

RMHA Summer Partnerships - Youth VBS Group Returns for Another Summer 

RMHA welcomes RISE CHURCH for one week of Vacation Bible School at Weeks Armstrong Homes.
Pictured below is the group of RISE volunteers that provided RMHA's youth with an amazing week.

Fifteen Rise Church volunteers stand and smile for a photo.

During the week of VBS, the two camps came together at Weeks Armstrong where RISE Church volunteers provided engaging activities that moved campers to various learning stations to participate in games, crafts, and music while reinforcing daily lessons on confidence, personal values, and safe social connections. Pictured are volunteers, RMHA staff and campers.

A large group of people stand and smile for a picture.

Kids dancing. A camp counselor teaches kids to dance. Kids sitting in a corner playing.

RMHA - In and Around Announcements 

For the 2026 - 2027 school year, local public libraries and community centers offer free afterschool programs, STEAM workshops, and seasonal activities. Standout options near Rocky Mount include weekly STEAM sessions at the Wilson County Public Library and early childhood literacy events returning to Braswell Memorial Library. See our listing below:

Local Library and Enrichment Activities

  • Early Literacy & Storytimes: Check local schedules at Braswell Memorial Library as fall reading groups and interactive story sessions resume.

  • Community Partners: Regional groups like the Down East Partnership for Children in Rocky Mount regularly update local family resource fairs and early learning play groups.

  • STEAM Programs: Held Tuesdays (starting August 11, 2026, at 6:30 PM) at the Main Wilson Library for ages 5 and up, focusing on science, art, and math.

City and Rec Programs (Low-Cost / Structured)

  • Rocky Mount Parks and Rec: The city runs structured afterschool care at locations like the Imperial Centre and Winstead Elementary. While full afterschool care requires registration fees, they incorporate free or subsidized nutrition and enrichment blocks (like arts, sports, and STEAM).

RMHA - Safety Corner

Advice for Teens: Managing Social Media 
You probably have at least one social media account, maybe on Tiktok, Snapchat, or Instagram. Here are some tips for managing these accounts.

Make sure your phone is password protected 
You don't want friends-or strangers-being able to access and post to your social media apps.

Think before you post.
Sometimes people post content in the heat of the moment, then regret sharing it later.

Review what you're sharing.
Sometimes people misunderstand what you're trying to say, and sometimes your posts could affect your friendships or your job/college prospects, so make sure you're okay sharing that text, photo, or video more widely.

Use privacy settings.
Most social media let you decide who can see your posts. Don't want anyone on the internet to see your stuff? Set your account to private.

Mr. Kelvin Macklin, CEO

RMHA Contact Numbers:
Administrative Office Main Number - 252.977.3141

RMHA Board of Commissioners:

  • Lea Henry, Chairperson
  • Ted Lord, Vice Chairperson
  • Tysheeda Cherry
  • Benton Moss
  • Tarrick Pittman
  • Kevin Jones

RMHA Newsletter Editor: Jerry Harper

Assistant Editor: Teresa Rhodes

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.