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.

04/01/2026

Today marks the start of Second Chance Month, and we’re kicking it off with a special Workforce Wednesday spotlight on the businesses who make this work possible.

Recently, Sarah, our Founder and Director, and Sydney, our Senior Employment Navigator, served as featured speakers for the Better Business Bureau’s Spark Conversation Series on second chances, focused on hiring, reentry, and career development. The session, “Learning the Advantages of Hiring Employees Seeking a Second Chance,” brought together community partners including CARITAS, Virginia Works, and the HARP Program through Chesterfield County Jail.

They shared more about REAL LIFE and our Employment Pathways Program, highlighting not just the value of second chance hiring, but what it takes to make it work long term. As Sydney shared, “Employers working with us aren’t just hiring someone coming out of incarceration, they’re gaining an employee who is supported, prepared, and equipped to sustain meaningful employment.”

We’re grateful for the more than 100 employers who help create real opportunity for Lifers every day, and we look forward to growing that number even more!

04/01/2026

It’s Trivia Tuesday, and in honor of National Tater Day, we’re here to hash out some very serious potato business

The question: How many potato varieties are there worldwide?

Our guesses? Let’s just say we’ve got a lot to ketchup on:

Melissa rolled in with 4,000 like she’s been secretly running a potato empire. Basically spot on. Crown her with the spud trophy.

Jessica confidently served up 257. The precision? Impressive. The accuracy? Not so much.

Jasmine guessed 44… which is a great start. Just multiply that by 100 and we’re getting somewhere.

And Steve, ever the risk-taker, bumped his usual 67 up to 68. Really pushing the limits there.

The correct answer? More than 4,000 varieties worldwide.

Stick around to see what Sydney cooks up next week for !

OfficeAntics

03/31/2026

We can neither confirm nor deny what will be at this year’s auction. 🔍

We can, however, confirm…. you’ll want to be there.

May 20. Lakeside Park Club. Tickets available at reallifeprogram.org.

03/31/2026

Join us in sharing a huge congratulations to Jacob C. of Henrico Troop 776 on completing his Eagle Scout project in support of REAL LIFE!

Becoming an Eagle Scout is no small feat. It represents years of dedication, leadership, and a deep commitment to service. For his project, Jacob built picnic tables and co****le boards that our Lifers will use regularly, creating more space to connect and spend time together.

Lifers Elvin and Ricky were quick to jump in, helping Jacob's friends and family unload the tables. And then everyone put the co****le boards to the test with a little friendly competition.

Jacob, thank you for putting in the work to make this happen and for choosing to support REAL LIFE. We’re grateful for you, and for the leaders, mentors, and family members who helped you get here. Congratulations!

03/31/2026

At REAL LIFE, strong programs start with a well-prepared team. We prioritize ongoing learning so our staff can show up with both skill and understanding.

Recently, our team participated in the Brain Architecture Game led by REAL LIFE Board Member Amanda Lynch and our partners at Greater Richmond SCAN. During the hands-on activity, staff worked to build a “brain” using straws and pipe cleaners. But there was a catch, what they received came down to the luck of a card draw or a roll of the dice, shaping not only their brain's foundation at birth, but each year of early childhood that followed.

As the activity unfolded, it became clear how much early life circumstances shape development. Some teams had what they needed to build stability. Others faced barriers from the very beginning.

One of our colleagues, Ashley, shared, “The training really helped our team see the impact of childhood trauma on the brain and just how much our clients at REAL LIFE might be carrying. We can't wait to do another training in April with SCAN and are thankful for their expertise.”

The takeaway was clear, not everyone starts on equal footing, and those early experiences matter. We’re grateful for partners like SCAN and leaders like Amanda who help strengthen our work and deepen our impact in the community.

03/30/2026

Please help us wish DeShawn and Perry a very happy birthday.

DeShawn, one of our Project SAF (Safe, Alive, and Free) Life Coaches, and Perry, one of our Domestic Violence Prevention Coach, are both keeping it low-key this year, but we couldn’t let the day pass without recognizing them.

DeShawn shows up day in and day out for the community with consistency and care, building real relationships that make a difference. Perry is doing powerful work helping individuals take a hard look at their behavior and choose something different.

The work they’re doing matters, and we’re grateful to have them on the team.

Join us in wishing DeShawn and Perry a happy birthday in the comments.

03/27/2026

House M soaked up the sunshine this past weekend with a well-earned cookout celebration, and they had plenty to celebrate.

After being named House of the Month, a recognition earned through consistent class attendance, passing house inspections, and upholding house standards, several Lifers in the house also recently graduated from the REAL LIFE program.

Peer House Leader Sam shared, “All of us were grateful for the beautiful weather to celebrate our recovery and the journey we are on! Big thanks to REAL LIFE and the Lord for His many blessings!”

Congratulations, guys. We are proud of the work you are doing together.

03/27/2026

We said it once…
We said it twice...
Ok, we said it quite a few times....

Early Bird tickets are still on sale through Saturday, March 28th. Don't miss your chance!

Save now and catch them before they fly away for good! 🐦

Portraits of Hope Gala
Lakeside Park Club
May 20th

Tickets at reallifeprogram.org

03/26/2026

For this , we are excited to shout out Sheri!

Sheri is a recent REAL LIFE graduate who is employed at a thrift store as a Donation Attendant. She has been doing so well that she recently earned a raise and a bonus! In her role, Sheri sorts through donations, sizes and hangs clothing, and sends a daily report to management tracking each team member’s production.

Sheri says, “I love the atmosphere that my company provides and how they work with their employees.”

Way to go, Sheri! We are so proud of you.

03/24/2026

Spring is coming, and you know what that means, another REAL LIFE graduation!

With a new season comes a new group of Lifers stepping into a different kind of life, one built on intention, accountability, and hope.

Our team showed up in green for a little St. Patrick’s Day energy, but there was nothing lucky about this night. Every step forward was earned.

We also heard from Monty Burks, Director of the Center of Faith, who encouraged graduates to keep moving forward and share what they’ve gained with others. As he put it, “Don’t hide your talent. Share it with people who need to know that you can overcome.”

Sheri offered a reflection as a graduate: "This journey through REAL LIFE has been one of the most meaningful and transformative chapters of my life… no matter how long you struggle, it is possible to choose a different path.”

And of course, it wouldn’t be graduation without music, bringing the celebration to life.

Housing Manager Young also left the graduates with a clear message as they move forward. “You are charged to maintain your sobriety and teach others that they too can achieve if they believe.”

To our 14 graduates, we are so proud of you and the commitment it took to reach this moment. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.

Drop a note of encouragement below to celebrate them 👇

03/24/2026

Happy ! We’re excited to introduce Kenya, one of our Peer House Leaders and a recent REAL LIFE graduate.

Kenya was born and raised in Virginia as the youngest of five. After losing his father to cancer at age three, he was raised in a single-parent household. He graduated high school and went on to attend Liberty University for two years before stepping away.

While he experienced early success, Kenya also faced significant challenges. He became a father at 15, began experiencing legal trouble in his early twenties, and developed substance use disorder in his mid-twenties. Over time, this led to cycles of incarceration. Kenya maintained sobriety on his own for a period, but when he returned to use, he landed back in jail. It was there that he realized he needed more than willpower, he needed community. He found that at REAL LIFE.

Today, Kenya is grounded and focused in his recovery. He says, “I have realized that I am in long-term recovery for the rest of my life. And with support, this time things will stick.”

Family remains a steady source of motivation. In addition to his son, Kenya has three stepdaughters and grandchildren who are proud of the changes he has made, and that means everything to him.

Looking ahead, Kenya plans to build a career in recovery work, supporting others walking a similar path. He is currently working toward his Peer Recovery Specialist certification while continuing to build financial stability and give back to his community. “Helping people in recovery is something I want to pursue for the rest of my life,” he says.

We’re proud of you, Kenya, and grateful to be part of your journey.

Address

P. O. Box 27372
Richmond, VA
23261

Website

http://reallifeprogram.org/

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