REAL LIFE

01/30/2026

REAL LIFE working from home, a little stir crazy thanks to the weather. Multitasking chores on Zoom, kids and pets running the show, and a few of us fully confused about what season it is (Summer Friday?). We love the flexibility… but we are very ready to be back in the office on Monday. 🤞

01/30/2026

Jessica teaching the youngest in the office, Mike, how to be more assertive.

She momentarily forgot that he played Defensive End for William & Mary Tribe Football and is more than capable of holding his own, on the field, in the office, and apparently against winter itself. 💪

Fingers crossed these “lessons” come in handy when it’s time to firmly ask this weekend’s winter storm to stay away.

01/29/2026

For today's extra-wintery Workforce Wednesday, we’re celebrating Kris, a 2023 graduate of REAL LIFE who is out there doing the MVP work with the Henrico Department of Public Works, helping clear roads and keep our community safe during this icy weather. Check out this story from CBS6 about Kris and his work!

Kris and so many other hardworking men and women are braving the cold, the early hours, and the tough conditions to make sure the rest of us can get where we need to go safely. We see you. We appreciate you. And we are so proud of you, Kris.

Henrico says primary roads are in good shape and most secondary roads are drivable, but thick ice and packed snow continue to slow progress in neighborhoods following Sunday’s winter weather.

This plow driver says "neighborhoods are real bad.' ⬇️ Details in comments.

01/28/2026

Our Deputy Director, Jessica, recently celebrated her birthday in the best way, a concert night with her best friend, lots of singing, plenty of dancing, and zero shame.

Jessica is one of the three OGs of REAL LIFE, which means she’s been holding this whole thing together since day one. Power outages, snowstorms, global pandemic, last-minute chaos, she handles it all with calm (mostly), grace, and impressive efficiency.

She’s deeply loved by this team, endlessly appreciated, and truly irreplaceable. We’d be so lost without her we’d be in a different country.

Show Jessica some birthday love in the comments!

01/27/2026

For today's , we are thrilled to welcome Amanda Lynch to the REAL LIFE Board of Directors!

Amanda is an author, educator, and the Director of Healing-Centered Engagement at Rethinking Resiliency. After losing her best friend to homicide in 2006, she dedicated her life’s work to trauma-informed, healing-centered care for children and families. She spent 16 years in public education before founding Rethinking Resiliency and creating The Mindfulness Room.

In 2022, Amanda was widowed due to community violence. As a mother of four, her lived experience continues to fuel her belief in safety, care, and connection. That belief is deeply aligned with REAL LIFE and Project SAF (Safe, Alive, and Free).

Amanda also serves as a Trauma-Informed Care Specialist with the Crater Health District (VDH), where she convenes the Southside Trauma Informed Community Network.

“REAL LIFE matters deeply to me because I’ve seen how violence, grief, and recovery shape families and communities,” Amanda says. “REAL LIFE and Project SAF do this work with intention and integrity, and I’m honored to support the mission through my service on the Board.”

We are so grateful for the heart and perspective that Amanda is bringing to our team. Please join us in giving Amanda a warm REAL LIFE welcome!

01/25/2026

❄️ REAL LIFE is ready for the incoming winter storm.

Thanks to our friends at the Richmond Community ToolBank, each of our REAL Houses is stocked with snow shovels and battery-powered lights.
Thanks to our generous donors, every house is also stocked with food and water from The Market at 25th.

We are grateful for the community that helps ensure our residents are safe, supported, and prepared.

In need of assistance during the storm? Helpful resources below:

Statewide:
☎️ Dial 211 for access to local community resources, including shelter information.

⚡Power Outages or Downed Lines, call your electric provider:
- Dominion Energy: 866-366-4357
- Southside Electrical: 866-878-5514

In the City of Richmond:
☎️ Call 311: For emergency heated shelter locations and hours, clogged storm drains, urgent road repairs, and updates on city services.

🏠Emergency Shelter Options
- Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue. Opened Friday, Jan. 23 at 5:00 p.m. Operating continuously through Monday, Jan. 26

- CARITAS Surge Shelter
All individuals should first check in at Salvation Army

- City Emergency Shelter
Southside Community Center, 6255 Old Warwick Road. Open for individuals and families throughout the extreme weather event.

01/24/2026

Our latest House of the Month was one of our female houses, and they truly earned it.

Through teamwork, consistency, and care for one another, the ladies had a strong house inspection, showed up for classes, followed house expectations, and supported each other along the way.

They asked for a taco party, and REAL LIFE was happy to deliver. Over chips, salsa, burritos, and tacos, they took time to celebrate their hard work together.

Congratulations, ladies! Keep up the hard work.

01/23/2026

Be sure to follow City of Richmond, VA Government and https://rva.gov/node/18466 for updates on the impending winter storm.

01/23/2026

For this Thankful Thursday, we are celebrating a meaningful and longtime partnership with the Virginia Department of Health.

Dr. Sarah Scarbrough shared, “For several years, we have maintained a strong partnership with the Virginia Department of Health and its R**e Prevention & Education program. Through this partnership, we are seeing firsthand the impact of this work: individuals who once caused harm in domestic and intimate partner violence situations are gaining accountability, skills, and the opportunity to change their behavior.” Those early conversations grew into a shared commitment to act, leading to a comprehensive curriculum created by REAL LIFE and tailored to this program and population.

This curriculum goes beyond surface-level education. It addresses the underlying issues that can lead to domestic and intimate partner violence and helps participants learn healthier ways to respond, relate, and move forward. As Sarah explains, “Today, that program has expanded, operating in jails, prisons, and in the community.” Through this partnership, “we are seeing firsthand the impact of this work,” as individuals who once caused harm gain responsibility, practical skills, and the opportunity to change their behavior.

We are thankful for this partnership and the shared commitment to prevention, accountability, and safer futures.

01/22/2026

We were honored to join our partners at VARR and recovery residences from across the Commonwealth for our annual Advocacy Day at Virginia’s General Assembly.

Thank you to the legislators and legislative staff who welcomed us and took time to listen and engage in meaningful conversations about the integral role accredited recovery housing plays in the continuum of care for substance use disorder across Virginia. We are especially grateful to Delegate Betsy Carr and Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg for Virginia for introducing VARR on the House and Senate floors for a very warm welcome!

The most powerful voices in the room were those with lived experience.

DeShawn, REAL LIFE alumni and Project SAF Life Coach, shared, “It always makes me feel good to advocate for something I care about and speak on what REAL LIFE has done for me, making it so I can help others.”

Steven, REAL LIFE alumni and Recovery and Engagement Coordinator, testified in support of a bill related to court costs and fines. “It felt amazing to testify and advocate for people in recovery and reentry. I feel like I’m finally to the point in my life where I’m changing the world for those who need it the most.”

Grateful for the opportunity to show up, share lived experience, and help ensure that the voices of all Virginians are heard.

01/22/2026

This Workforce Wednesday, we are celebrating Elizabeth, recently named Employee of the Month at her workplace. She loves the company she works for because there is room for advancement and there is always something to learn!

Elizabeth serves as a Crew Trainer, a role she truly enjoys. As she shared, “I like crew training because other people look up to me to make sure they are doing their job right. It feels good to see people reach their potential.”

Congratulations to Elizabeth on this well-earned recognition. We are so proud of you!