Resident Retreat Registration Deadline March 7th
Registration Deadline Extended to March 7th
A registration packet is available in the member portal: https://www.carolinascouncil.org/member-portal
The Resident Services Committee, on behalf of the Carolina Council of Housing Redevelopment and Codes Officials (hereinafter referred to as CCHRCO), would like to invite North Carolina and South Carolina Housing Authorities to its 2025 Resident Retreat. Our theme this year is "Scoring Big For Housing."
This retreat will be held March 26-28, 2025, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Charlotte, North Carolina (4800 South Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28217). Participants will take part in various training seminars aimed at increasing the capacity of individuals and families to become self-sufficient, revitalizing communities and building stability and betterment of children, youth, and families so that they become able to create their own opportunities.
The registration fee is $225 per participant.
- Registration, Meet and Greet, Dinner on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
- Lunch Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.
- Conference materials (only for participants)
Registration packets must be returned by March 7, 2025, to:
Vivian Perry
Kinston Housing Authority
Attention Vivian Perry
P.O. Box 697.
Kinston, NC, 28502
Checks are made payable to: CCHRCO
All requests for refunds must be put in writing. Requests for refunds may be mailed or emailed to vbperry@khanc.org within the required timeline. Any request for refunds received by February 28, 2025; will be honored less a $25.00 service fee.
NO REQUEST FOR REFUNDS WILL BE HONORED AFTER March 14, 2025.
Should you have additional questions, please contact any member of the CCHRCO Resident Services Committee:
Allen Blue
Burlington Housing Authority
(336) 213-1694
ablue@burlingtonha.org
Jenny Hammond
York Housing Authority
(803) 684-7359
jhammond@yorkhasc.org
Hotel Information
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte 4800
South Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 527-8400
Please click here for hotel registration.
GROUP CODE: CCHRCO
Hotel rooms are $169.00 for a Single and Double Occupancy.
Complimentary breakfast and a manager's reception is included for registered hotel guests.
The hotel cutoff date to make your reservation is by March 4, 2025.
Resident Retreat Workshops
Making a Game Plan:
- Accessing Food Security Resources - Identify what food resources are available to you.
Team Work Makes the Dream Work:
- Resident Involvement - Make your voice heard and create change in your community.
We May be Out of Shape, but Not Out of The Game:
- Self-love and Getting in Shape - Embrace self-love while kickstarting your fitness journey.
Unleash the Champion Within:
- Strength in Leadership - Recognize and refine your own leadership potential.
Playing with Strength:
- Preserving Power in Your Relationships - Build the foundation for healthy relationships and recognize red flags.
2025 CCHRCO Officers
President:
Allen Brown
Executive Director
Benson Housing Authority
bbrown@bensonhousing.org
President-Elect:
Veronica Revels
CEO
Burlington Housing Authority
vreveles@burlingtonha.org
Senior Vice President:
Shaunte Evans
CEO
Spartanburg Housing
sevans@spartanburghousing.org
First Vice President:
Thomas Ray Green
Executive Director
Tarboro Housing Authority
trgreen236@tarborohousing.com
Treasurer:
Vivian Perry
Executive Director
Kinston Housing Authority
vbperry@khanc.org
Secretary:
Jenny Hammond
Executive Director
York Housing Authority
jhammond@yorkhasc.org
Welcome from the President
Greetings, and welcome to our 2025 Annual Residents Retreat. This event has always been a high point for the Carolinas Council. This retreat gives us an opportunity to help shape the landscape of affordable housing. You will participate in various training courses and seminars to help you, and your families increase the ability to become self-sufficient. In doing this our communities become better places to live, and all the families that we serve have more opportunities for success.
I can't speak of this retreat without acknowledging Stephanie Gladden who sadly we lost last year. This year's retreat is in her Memory. Stephanie served as Carolina's Council Chairperson of the Resident Services Committee, where she was responsible for hosting and planning this event. I know she would be proud of this year's retreat and all the work that went on to make it possible.
This year's retreat is titled "Game on for Success", and success is what we wish for you all. We have a great lineup of topics that will hopefully help with your personal development. We hope that what you gain at the retreat will enable you to gain confidence in yourself, so you can help improve your communities. The great Coach of the Green Bay Packers Vince Lombardi once said, "Individual commitment to a group effort -that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." I hope that you leave this retreat with the commitment to improve the lives of those in your communities. In closing, on behalf of myself and all the officers of CCHRCO, we thank you for attending this year's retreat, and I hope that you get what you need to make a difference in someone's life.
CCHRCO President 2024-2025
Allen Buddy Brown
AGENDA (Tentative)
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
- Registration: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Greetings & Tailgate: 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- Greetings:
- Allen Brown, President of CCHRCO
- Special Guest Speaker Jay Ward, Charlotte Poet Laureate
- Special Performance by Carlo L'Chelle Dawson
- Blessing of the Food by Pastor Bobby Dukes
- Games, Dancing, and DJ
- Greetings:
Thursday, March 27, 2025
- Continental Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
- Morning Sessions: 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:30 p.m. - 1:55 p.m.
- Afternoon Sessions: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Dinner on Your Own: 6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 28, 2025
- Continental Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.
- Opening/Closing Session: 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
- Introduction of Keynote Speaker/Keynote Speaker: 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
- Closing Remarks - Mr. Allen Blue: 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Sessions I - III
Session I:
Making a Game Plan
Accessing Food Security Resources
Join us for a panel that will provide an in-depth overview of key issues related to food insecurity, including the challenges of food deficits and the availability of resources such as food stamps. You will learn practical strategies for locating and connecting with essential support systems, both in-person and online, to address food scarcity in your community. By the end of the session, you'll be equipped with valuable tools and insights to navigate these complex issues and help others access the resources they need for food security.
Moderator:
Facilitator: Ainslee Moss, Tender Hearts; Chasidie Glover, Nourish Up
Session II:
Team Work Makes the Dream Work
Resident Involvement
Want to make your voice heard and help improve your community? This workshop aims to empower residents to become more actively involved in their communities. We'll guide you through the process of attending local meetings, talking to housing managers, and speaking up for the changes you want to see. You'll learn how to voice concerns, share your ideas, and collaborate with fellow residents and leaders to create positive change. By the end of the session, you'll have the confidence and practical tools to get involved, make things happen, and help build a stronger, healthier community for everyone.
Moderator:
Facilitator: Jonathan Nettles, Inlivian
Session III:
We May be Out of Shape, but Not Out of The Game
Self-love and Getting in Shape
This workshop is all about embracing self-love as the foundation for getting in shape and staying healthy. You'll learn how to set realistic goals, create a positive mindset, and listen to your body's needs as you move forward on your fitness journey. Participants will explore how self-acceptance and fitness can go hand-in-hand, creating a balanced approach that values health and well-being over perfection. This session isn't about quick fixes or extreme workouts; it's about building both physical and mental resilience in a way that works for you. By the end, you'll feel inspired, energized, and ready to honor your unique strengths as you work toward your own version of wellness.
Moderator: Dawn Whitfield
Facilitator: Hernika & Tah'Ron Cannon
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Session IV:
Unleash the Champion Within
Strength in leadership
This session will explore what it means to be an effective and authentic leader, focusing on the core qualities that inspire and motivate others. We'll discuss the importance of self-awareness, integrity, empathy, and resilience in leadership, along with strategies for making decisions that align with personal and organizational values. Participants will learn practical skills for leading by example, communicating with clarity, and building trust within a team. This talk invites residents to reflect on their own leadership potential and equips them with tools to foster growth, inspire change, and make a positive impact in their communities and careers.
Moderator: Anita
Facilitator: Carla Randolph, CA Visions
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Session V:
Playing with Strength
Preserving Power in Your Relationships
Join us for a workshop focused on identifying red flags and learning how to build healthy, safe relationships. You'll learn how to recognize unhealthy relationship patterns and what makes a relationship healthy, like trust, respect, and good communication. The session will also focus on the resources you can access and provide information on how to safely reach out for help and what steps you can take if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse. By the end of the workshop, you'll have clear knowledge of the resources and support systems available to you, helping create a safer and more supportive community for everyone.
Moderator:
Facilitator: Kierra Fayall, YPD
Friday, March 28, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Closing Ceremony
Rise above the rest, Aim for the Best
Special Guest Speaker TBA
In Loving Memory of Stephanie Gladden
This work is dedicated to Stephanie Gladden, whose passion and commitment to serving others made a lasting impact on the communities she worked with. As a devoted professional with the housing authorities in North and South Carolina, Stephanie was not only a leader but also a tireless advocate for residents, ensuring that their voices were heard and their needs met. Her unwavering dedication to improving resident retreats transformed these gatherings into meaningful experiences, fostering a sense of community, empowerment, and connection among attendees.
Through her work, Stephanie demonstrated the power of compassion and resilience. She went above and beyond her role, dedicating herself to building supportive environments where residents felt valued and included. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, reminding us all of the profound impact one person can have when they serve with heart and purpose.
Stephanie Gladden's warmth, kindness, and dedication will forever be cherished in the hearts of those who knew her. Her legacy lives on in the positive changes she made and the countless lives she uplifted. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit remains, a lasting presence that continues to inspire and guide those she touched.
