REAL LIFE

REAL LIFE We create pathways to attain and sustain a thriving life for those who desire change.

Our mission is to develop a relationship with each person we serve (as we refer to them, Lifers) that equips them to make the visible progress necessary for their personal pathway to a Thriving Life. Along the way, we engage the community and bring awareness to the needs of Lifers. Our work meets a standard of accountability we call compelling stewardship that allows us to engage Lifers with a level of service and financial effectiveness seldom seen.

Congratulations to the men and women at Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail on their recent graduation from the W.A.I.T.T. ...
06/06/2026

Congratulations to the men and women at Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail on their recent graduation from the W.A.I.T.T. program!

W.A.I.T.T., which stands for We Are In This Together, is a behavior modification program for incarcerated individuals that includes weekly REAL LIFE facilitation, Real Talk with REAL LIFE curriculum, public health education, and other recovery-focused meetings and programming.

For REAL LIFE Project SAF (Safe, Alive, and Free) Life Coach Savanna, this graduation was especially meaningful. Before entering REAL LIFE and later joining our staff, Savanna participated in the W.A.I.T.T. program during her own incarceration.

“The program gave me structure, teamwork practice, and helped me learn that addiction is a disease that I can recover from. It was a wonderful stepping stone in my recovery. It helped me integrate into the REAL LIFE program and then from there, into society as a whole. My goal is to give these individuals in the W.A.I.T.T. program hope that things can get better.”

Savanna was joined at the graduation by two other former W.A.I.T.T. participants, Melissa, a REAL LIFE Pathway Navigator, and Khaliah, a REAL LIFE graduate.

Congratulations to the W.A.I.T.T. graduates! We are proud to see REAL LIFE staff and graduates returning to encourage and inspire those who are beginning their own journey.

It's the first Friday of the month, which means it's time to recognize a couple of Lifers who are doing great things in ...
06/05/2026

It's the first Friday of the month, which means it's time to recognize a couple of Lifers who are doing great things in their recovery journeys.

Chris H. was nominated by our Deputy Director, Jessica, who shared that Chris has been doing a fantastic job. He attends meetings consistently, communicates well with staff, and is a respectful, kind presence in the program.

Chris shared: "I would like to thank everyone at the REAL LIFE program and all they have done for me. Without the REAL LIFE program, I would still be homeless and without hope in my life. They have given me structure, and I appreciate Jessica and everyone at the REAL LIFE program. They have given me a new way to look at life through recovery and my sobriety. It is a true blessing in my life."

Our second Flourishing Friday honoree is Luis, who was nominated by Pathway Navigator Melissa. Since entering the program, Luis has remained focused on his goals, attends meetings regularly, and is committed to his recovery journey.

Luis shared: "REAL LIFE has inspired me to keep moving forward no matter what my past looked like... live for today and not for tomorrow!"

Congratulations to Chris and Luis! We are proud of both of these men and all they have accomplished. Help us celebrate them by sharing some words of encouragement in the comments below.

06/05/2026

Today is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and across the country, people are wearing orange to stand together for safer communities.

At REAL LIFE, we believe safer communities are built through connection. When neighbors connect, families gather, organizations collaborate, and people show up for one another, positive change is possible.

Join REAL LIFE and wear orange this weekend in support of safer communities. Then, connect with us throughout June as REAL LIFE and our partners host events across Richmond and the Tri-Cities, beginning in Hopewell today.

06/04/2026

Happy Thankful Thursday! Today, we are grateful for our friends at , who recently spent the day at our women's houses pulling weeds and planting a large vegetable garden for the women who call these houses home.

Their hard work created a space that will provide fresh produce throughout the growing season while also giving Lifers an opportunity to connect with nature, learn new skills, and experience the satisfaction of watching something grow through patience, care, and consistency.

Thank you, New Hanover Presbyterian Church, for investing your time, energy, and care into our community. We are grateful for partners like you who help make our houses feel more like home.

Happy ! Please join us in congratulating Kenneth on his two year anniversary with his employer! Kenneth, a proud alumni...
06/04/2026

Happy ! Please join us in congratulating Kenneth on his two year anniversary with his employer!

Kenneth, a proud alumni and Peer House Leader, enjoys working in production at his second-hand retail company because they treat him like family. In addition to a recent raise, he is also training for management positions!

He is excelling at his job and we are so proud of his hard work. Send some encouragement to Kenneth in the comments!

Today we are catching up with one of our Project SAF (Safe, Alive, and Free) Life Coaches, Demetrius. Recently, he took ...
05/31/2026

Today we are catching up with one of our Project SAF (Safe, Alive, and Free) Life Coaches, Demetrius. Recently, he took one of his clients out for a much-needed haircut. Demetrius shared, “It’s important for us to assist our clients with the ‘little big things’ such as hygiene items, food, clothing, and even a haircut. What may seem trivial to most people actually means a great deal to those who can’t afford it. Through unconditional stewardship, we are able to build rapport that develops into a genuine connection.”

Our Life Coaches provide guidance, wisdom, and direction to young people in our community, but building trust and connection first is foundational. As Demetrius says, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

We are incredibly proud of the work our Project SAF team continues to do every day.

05/28/2026

We know y’all loved the reels during the lead-up to gala… but social media girl came in with another idea and accidentally triggered a full staff uprising.

Pitchforks. Torches. Handmade “NO” signs. Absolute mutiny.

At this point, we’re one bad audio trend away from a complete workplace rebellion.

Big congratulations to Sam, one of REAL LIFE’s Peer House Leaders, who recently earned his high school diploma!Born in C...
05/27/2026

Big congratulations to Sam, one of REAL LIFE’s Peer House Leaders, who recently earned his high school diploma!

Born in California to military parents, Sam moved to Virginia at age ten and has called it home ever since. As a teenager, Sam experienced the sudden loss of his mother, began using substances, and eventually left high school before graduating.

Today, Sam is celebrating a major milestone and continuing to build momentum in every area of his life. Along with earning his diploma, Sam has been excelling at work and recently even received a raise, a reflection of the dedication and consistency he brings each day. He is already looking ahead to what’s next: earning his Peer Recovery Specialist certification so he can continue helping others on their recovery journeys.

We are incredibly proud of Sam’s perseverance, growth, and commitment to building a thriving life. Please help us congratulate him on this accomplishment!

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P. O. Box 27372
Richmond, VA
23261

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