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.

03/18/2026

☘️ went fully off the rails today!

We asked: How much are Americans projected to spend on St. Patrick’s Day this year?

The correct answer?
$7 BILLION 💰

And somehow… not one guess even got in the neighborhood. Not even the same zip code.

Tommy was only $5 billion off. Which sounds impressive until you realize that’s basically a different planet.

Christine… $1 billion?? We love the Dr. Evil energy, but that guess might get you thrown to the sharks with freakin laser beams attached to their heads.

Demetrius, you were doing so well and then just… 49?? We know you love the Niners, but that is not the answer to everything.

And Sydney had poor Perry completely turned around. Perry, we meant all Americans combined. Not like… splitting an appetizer.

Truly not a single ounce of luck of the Irish in sight 🍀

We’ll regroup and try again next week.

03/17/2026

We’re going live!

Join us as we celebrate our latest REAL LIFE graduates, men and women who have put in the work, stayed the course, and are stepping into a new chapter. Every story today is hard-earned and worth celebrating.

It may be St. Patrick’s Day, but graduating isn’t luck, it’s what putting in the work looks like. 🍀

Tune in and help us cheer them on!

We’re so excited to celebrate DeShawn, one of our Project SAF (Safe, Alive, and Free) Life Coaches, on 3 years in recove...
03/17/2026

We’re so excited to celebrate DeShawn, one of our Project SAF (Safe, Alive, and Free) Life Coaches, on 3 years in recovery today.

We’ve had the opportunity to watch DeShawn grow during his time at REAL LIFE, from his early days as a Lifer, to stepping into leadership as a Peer House Leader, and now as a Life Coach supporting others. He has truly come into his own and become an important part of our community.

DeShawn is proud of how far he has come, and it shows. He has completed his Peer Recovery Specialist training and is now preparing for the exam, continuing to invest in himself and his future. “Since my sobriety, I’ve obtained stability (housing, license, and vehicle) and I’m happy with my life overall,” he shares.

His anniversary happens to fall on the same night as a REAL LIFE Graduation, a powerful reminder of what’s possible through recovery and support.

We are so proud of you, DeShawn. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey.

This week we are introducing Steve, one of our newest REAL LIFE board members!Steve grew up in the Richmond area and lat...
03/17/2026

This week we are introducing Steve, one of our newest REAL LIFE board members!

Steve grew up in the Richmond area and later attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice.

For the past twenty years Steve has built his career with Enterprise Mobility, holding several leadership roles along the way. Today he serves as a Sales Manager on the fleet management side of the company, working across much of Virginia.

Steve first connected with REAL LIFE after attending our gala and learning more about the mission. “I don’t think there’s a lot of support given to people coming out and getting readjusted back into the real world,” Steve says, and he was encouraged to see how REAL LIFE provided wrap-around support to people in recovery.

With his background in criminal justice, Steve was eager to become more involved. “I was looking for a way to give my time back and serve on a board in the community,” Steve says. Teaming up with REAL LIFE felt like the right fit.

Outside of work, Steve and his wife stay busy raising their three children. Their family life revolves around sports, with baseball and competitive cheer keeping most weekends full.

We are honored to have Steve join the REAL LIFE Board of Directors. Please help us give him a warm REAL LIFE welcome!

Steve first connected with REAL LIFE at our Gala. Want to see what inspired him to get involved? Early Bird tickets are available for a limited time by visiting https://PortraitsofHope.auctria.events

03/14/2026

Happy Pi Day!

We opened a Marco’s Pizza box expecting… well… pizza. Instead we got 3.14159...

Luckily, Marco's Pizza RVA, a proud Michelangelo Sponsor of our upcoming Portraits of Hope Gala, is making sure there’s plenty of the right kind of pie involved.

One lucky bidder at the Gala will win Marco’s Pizza for a YEAR in our silent auction. 🍕

Get your 🎟 now at reallifeprogram.org!

And anytime you order Marco’s, use code REALLIFE and a portion of your order supports REAL LIFE.

Happy Workforce Wednesday! We are excited to feature Antony again and celebrate the amazing work he’s doing at a Richmon...
03/12/2026

Happy Workforce Wednesday! We are excited to feature Antony again and celebrate the amazing work he’s doing at a Richmond thrift shop. He recently received a raise and promotion to Production Lead. In this role, he helps supervise donation attendants as they collect, sort, and price items.

Antony is enjoying this new leadership role and is grateful for the recognition and opportunity. We’ve loved watching him grow in his role, and we’re excited to see his continued success on the job. Congratulations, Antony!

Hiring someone who deserves a second chance might be one of the smartest business decisions you make.Our friends at the ...
03/11/2026

Hiring someone who deserves a second chance might be one of the smartest business decisions you make.

Our friends at the BBB serving Central Virginia are hosting a Spark Conversation on Second Chances: Hiring, Reentry & Career Development. We’re excited that two familiar faces will be part of the discussion. REAL LIFE’s own Dr. Sarah Scarbrough and Sydney Smith will be part of the conversation, sharing what successful reentry and workforce development really look like in action.

Expect practical insights, real-world experience, and a conversation that might change how you think about second chance hiring. If you’re an employer, business leader, or just curious how it works (and why it works), come join us.

Monday, March 23
2:00 PM
4800 Cox Rd, Suite 101
Glen Allen, VA

Thanks to the Better Business Bureau for bringing together community partners to talk about solutions that strengthen businesses and open doors for people ready to get back to work.

03/11/2026

Happy Trivia Tuesday! And since it’s March… you know what that means. 🏀

This week’s question: How many teams make the NCAA tournament bracket?

Some people in the office claim to be basketball fans… but the answers suggested otherwise. A few clearly forgot about the First Four play-in games, because the correct answer is 68 teams.

Demetrius came in clutch for the second week in a row with the correct answer. Someone please check if he’s secretly studying these ahead of time.

Steven confidently answered “six seven,” proving he’s still living in the internet of last year.

Melissa skipped all the math (again) and went straight to the Elite Eight, shaking a tambourine like she’s leading the world’s most chaotic pep band.

Tommy loves basketball so much he’s lobbying for 128 teams so the tournament can last an extra weekend.

And Sydney has already declared herself the winner of the REAL LIFE staff bracket... before Selection Sunday has even happened. Talking a big game... We’ll be waiting for the receipts.

Who are you hoping makes the tournament? And who’s cutting down the net at the end of it all? 🏀

This week for Meet Us Monday, we are introducing Demel, one of our Assistant Peer House Leaders.Demel was born in Prince...
03/10/2026

This week for Meet Us Monday, we are introducing Demel, one of our Assistant Peer House Leaders.

Demel was born in Prince Edward County near Farmville and grew up with both of his parents alongside his sister and two brothers. He received his GED and worked on building mobile homes during his twenties. He also met his wife and they started a family together.

Substance use had been a part of his life since his teens, but over time it became more concerning and led to legal trouble. After years of struggling to get sober on his own, Demel entered treatment and later came to REAL LIFE. Since arriving in the program four months ago, Demel says the experience has helped him start to become the kind of person that he wants to be. He is working to become more accountable and more open to guidance and course correction. 

Demel recently stepped into the role of Assistant Peer House Leader. While he admits he was nervous about taking on the responsibility, he is embracing the opportunity to grow and lead.

Family has remained a constant source of encouragement for Demel. His mom and siblings have supported him through the years, and his wife has continued to stand by him throughout his recovery. 

Looking ahead, Demel is hoping to build a stable future for his family. He hopes to line up steady work when he returns home and is interested in pursuing his Commercial Driver’s License so he can drive trucks, something he has wanted to do for many years.

For now, he is focused on continuing the work he started in recovery and taking things one day at a time. As Demel says, “One thing I’m learning is to be quiet and listen so I can get a better understanding of everything.”

Yesterday also marked a major milestone for him. “I went to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting last night and got my one year chip,” Demel says.

Congratulations, Demel. We celebrate this accomplishment with you, are grateful for your leadership in the house and are looking forward to continuing to watch your journey unfold!

Today we celebrate International Women's Day by honoring the women who inspire the REAL LIFE team every day.We asked our...
03/09/2026

Today we celebrate International Women's Day by honoring the women who inspire the REAL LIFE team every day.

We asked our staff to share about a woman they admire, and the answers were as meaningful as they were diverse. From moms and grandmothers to colleagues, national leaders, mentors, and dear friends, each story reflects the strength, courage, and leadership that shape our lives and our work.

These women lead in big ways and small ones, by breaking barriers, lifting others up, showing resilience through difficult seasons, and believing in the potential of those around them.

Today, and every day, we celebrate the women who inspire us to lead with compassion, work for justice, and continue building stronger communities together.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Please join us in congratulating Jasmine, our fearless Alumni Coordinator, on four years in recovery today! Jasmine has ...
03/08/2026

Please join us in congratulating Jasmine, our fearless Alumni Coordinator, on four years in recovery today! Jasmine has truly experienced transformation here at REAL LIFE.

“It feels amazing to have reached a milestone of 4 years clean! If someone would have told me early in my process that life would be this good, I would have given them the side eye! Ha. Since being in recovery I have: graduated the REAL LIFE program, achieved Alumni status, gained meaningful employment with REAL LIFE, got promoted to Alumni Program Coordinator, paid off my back child support, got off of probation early, joined a church where I do service work, moved into my own apartment with no roommate, gained joint legal custody of my daughter (including visitation during summer breaks), formed strong bonds with my children, built a strong network of people who are genuinely solid . . . and I’m not finished!” Jasmine continues, “My upcoming goal is to have my car paid off in July this year, and I’m going to continue to trust God in the process!”

Jasmine is a kind and generous soul who is eager to give a hand up to anyone around her. We are SO PROUD of all that she has accomplished and we are grateful to be a part of her story.

Help us celebrate Jasmine by cheering her on in the comments.

Address

P. O. Box 27372
Richmond, VA
23261

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when REAL LIFE posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram