Real Life

REAL LIFE HELPS BRIDGE THE DEEP DIVIDE BETWEEN SUCCESSFUL LIVING AND INCARCERATION, HOMELESSNESS, AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. THIS IS DONE BY ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES IN A WAY THAT EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME INDEPENDENT, SUCCESSFUL, AND VALUED MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. REAL LIFE PROVIDES LIFERS WITH THE SKILLS AND ABILITY TO FACE DAILY STRUGGLES AND UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES, ALLOWING THEM TO BE IN CONTROL OF THEIR FUTURE.REAL LIFE USES AN EVIDENCE-BASED, PERSON-CENTERED, TRAUMA-INFORMED AND BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION APPROACH IN PROVIDING SERVICES. WE AIM TO HELP THE WHOLE PERSON, NOT JUST ONE PART; WE SEEK TO ADDRESS THE WHOLE ISSUE, RATHER THAN THE INDIVIDUAL SYMPTOMS. THE ROOT CAUSE IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES), INCLUDING VIOLENCE, POVERTY, HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND RACISM, WHICH IS WHAT WE WORK FOR EACH LIFER TO MANAGE AND OVERCOME.

REAL LIFE HELPS BRIDGE THE DEEP DIVIDE BETWEEN SUCCESSFUL LIVING AND INCARCERATION, HOMELESSNESS, AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. THIS IS DONE BY ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES IN A WAY THAT EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME INDEPENDENT, SUCCESSFUL, AND VALUED MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. REAL LIFE PROVIDES LIFERS WITH THE SKILLS AND ABILITY TO FACE DAILY STRUGGLES AND UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES, ALLOWING THEM TO BE IN CONTROL OF THEIR FUTURE.AT REAL LIFE WE REFER TO THOSE WE SERVE AS LIFERS BECAUSE WE HELP THEM IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. TO US, A LIFER IS MORE THAN JUST A CLIENT, CONSUMER, OR PATIENT. WE KNOW THAT WHEN LIFERS SEEK CHANGE THROUGH REAL LIFE, IT WILL BE A LIFELONG CHANGE. DEVELOPING A THRIVING LIFE IS MORE THAN STAYING CLEAN; IT IS LEARNING TO LIVE CLEAN. IT IS THE IDEA OF RECOVERING TO SOMETHING GREATER THAN WHAT WAS LOST. WE TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH, AS RECOVERY IS NECESSARY FOR LIFE AND NOT JUST FOR THE MOMENTS THEY ARE WITH US.REAL LIFE USES AN EVIDENCE-BASED, PERSON-CENTERED, TRAUMA-INFORMED AND BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION APPROACH IN PROVIDING SERVICES. WE AIM TO HELP THE WHOLE PERSON, NOT JUST ONE PART; WE SEEK TO ADDRESS THE WHOLE ISSUE, RATHER THAN THE INDIVIDUAL SYMPTOMS. THE ROOT CAUSE IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES), INCLUDING VIOLENCE, POVERTY, HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND RACISM, WHICH IS WHAT WE WORK FOR EACH LIFER TO MANAGE AND OVERCOME.WE FOCUS ON 5 PILLARS IN ALL ASPECTS OF SERVICE DELIVERY THAT WILL LEAD TO A THRIVING LIFE: (1) SUSTAINED SOBRIETY; (2) MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT; (3) FUNCTIONING FAMILY THAT PROVIDES A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT; (4) COMMUNITY INTERACTION THAT LEADS TO MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL OUTCOMES; (5) PRACTICING A PERSONAL FAITH THAT LEADS TO BETTER OUTCOMES OF DAILY DECISIONS (OPTIONAL).OUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO SERVE INDIVIDUALS WITH A DESIRE TO OVERCOME THEIR ADVERSITIES. OUR GOAL IS FOR LIFERS TO ACHIEVE A THRIVING LIFE. WE PROVIDE LIFERS WITH A PATH TO THRIVING, NOT JUST RECOVERY. IT IS THE IDEA IS RECOVERING TO SOMETHING GREATER THAN WHAT WAS LOST.INITIALLY, EACH PERSON WILL COMPLETE AN INTAKE WITH THE ASSIGNED PATHWAY NAVIGATOR (CASE MANAGER). DURING INTAKE, A RECOVERY CAPITAL EVALUATION IS CONDUCTED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE RECOVERY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AND ASSISTS INITIALLY IN IDENTIFYING UNMET SERVICE NEEDS AND BARRIERS TO RECOVERY. AFTER THE EVALUATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AN INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN IS DEVELOPED BETWEEN THE PATHWAY NAVIGATOR AND THE NEW LIFER TO INCLUDE ASSIGNMENT OF CLASSES AND GROUPS, AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR OTHER SERVICES THAT ENCOMPASS THE IDENTIFIED FACTORS WITHIN THEIR RECOVERY CAPITAL. ALL GROUPS, CLASSES AND SERVICES ARE OFFERED THROUGH REAL LIFE EXCEPT FOR MEDICAL SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH, WHICH ARE REFERRED OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. OVER THE NEXT 6 MONTHS, THE LIFER AND THEIR PATHWAY NAVIGATOR WILL CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THE PLAN IN ORDER TO BUILD A THRIVING LIFE.A THRIVING LIFE IS MORE THAN STAYING CLEAN; IT'S LEARNING TO LIVE CLEAN WHILE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR GOD GIVEN ABILITIES OF FAMILY, WORK, COMMUNITY, AND FAITH. REAL LIFE REFERS TO THESE ABILITIES AS "PILLARS OF THRIVING." BY INTEGRATING THE PILLARS INTO ALL AREAS OF REAL LIFE'S WORK, WE HELP PREPARE LIFERS TO OVERCOME PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY BARRIERS TO THRIVING. SUCCESS IN LIFE REQUIRES THE SKILLS TO FACE DAILY STRUGGLES AND UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES, WHILE STAYING ON THE PATHWAY TO A THRIVING LIFE! THAT IS THE FOCUS OF REAL LIFE.

REAL HOUSING SUPPORTS LIFERS THAT NEED A STRUCTURED RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR RECOVERY DURING THEIR TRANSITION FROM INCARCERATION, ADDICTION, OR HOMELESSNESS TO INDEPENDENT LIVING AND A THRIVING LIFE.REAL LIFE SETS THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF CARE TO FOSTER PERSONAL GROWTH, DEVELOP A FOUNDATION FOR LONG TERM RECOVERY, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH DELIVERING REAL LIFE'S 5 PILLARS OF SERVICE.THE HOUSING CRISIS CAN BE VIEWED AS TWO PRIMARY ISSUES "AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND "CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT HOUSING" NEEDED FOR RECOVERY AND TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. FORTUNATELY, SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. A LOT OF FUNDING AND WORK IS BEING APPLIED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.REAL LIFE WILL ALWAYS EXTEND HELP TO LIFERS NEEDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM, BUT THE UNIQUE HOUSING CONTRIBUTION FOR REAL LIFE IS ACCOMMODATING LIFERS WHO NEED A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT TO RECOVER AND/OR TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING.WHILE WE WORK TO GET INDIVIDUALS IN A HOUSING CRISIS INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OPTIONS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LIMITED FOR THOSE WITHOUT INCOME (WHICH MOST LIFERS DO NOT HAVE). FOR THOSE NEEDING A RECOVERY HOUSE, THERE IS OFTEN NOTHING WE CAN DO DUE TO THE SHORTAGE OF THIS TYPE HOUSING THAT IS SAFE, STABLE, AND AFFORDABLE.AS AN INITIAL RESPONSE AND DESIRE TO BETTER SERVE LIFERS, IN 2017, REAL LIFE OPENED ITS FIRST RECOVERY TRANSITIONAL HOUSE IN SOUTH RICHMOND. THE HOUSE ALLOWED MEN TO MOVE IN RENT-FREE, SO THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION DID NOT DICTATE WHETHER THEY WERE ABLE TO HAVE SOBER AND STRUCTURED LIVING. THIS SAME MODEL CONTINUES TODAY.IN 2019, WE OPENED A FEMALE RECOVERY HOUSE, WHICH OPERATES IN THE SAME MANNER. THIS ALLOWS US TO SERVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF MEN AND WOMEN, DUE TO NUMBER OF BEDS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, WHO OFTEN HAVE SEARCHED FOR YEARS FOR RECOVERY HOUSING, BUT WERE UNABLE TO ACCESS THE STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT NECESSARY FOR THEIR RECOVERY DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS.WHILE REAL LIFE HOUSING IS AN OPTION FOR SOME LIFERS, WE ARE LIMITED IN SERVING ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF THE OVERALL NEED DUE TO SPACE. WHEN REAL LIFE PATHWAY NAVIGATORS ENCOUNTER LIFERS NEEDING CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT HOUSING, INCOME IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN DETERMINING REALISTIC NEXT STEPS.REAL HOUSES ARE THE ONLY FREE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT HOUSES IN RVA. THE ONLY OTHER FREE OPTION IS A SCHOLARSHIP/INDIGENT BEDS AVAILABLE AT PARTNER RECOVERY ORGANIZATIONS IF THERE IS NO INCOME AVAILABLE FOR SOMEONE NEEDING CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT HOUSING.REAL LIFE IN 2021 HAS 12 HOUSES: 3 FOR WOMEN AND 9 FOR MEN HOUSING OVER 135 INDIVIDUALS.

IT IS OUR GOAL TO MEET CLIENTS WHERE THEY ARE THROUGH EITHER CONNECTING CLIENTS WITH EXISTING RESOURCES OR FILL THE GAPS WHERE THEY ARE PRESENT. WHILE RICHMOND HAS MANY GREAT RESOURCES THROUGH NON-PROFIT AND GOVERNMENT RESOURCES, OFTEN INDIVIDUALS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE OR ACCESS THE MANY OPTIONS. THIS IS WHERE REAL LIFE HELPS GUIDE AND CONNECT THEM WITH SUCH RESOURCES, SUCH AS HOUSING, MEDICAL, OR MENTAL HEALTH. HOWEVER, REAL LIFE ALSO PROVIDES SERVICES/RESOURCES WHERE THERE ARE GAPS DUE TO LACK OF SERVICES, WHETHER THAT IS DUE TO NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES OR NONE AT ALL, SUCH AS CELL PHONES, BUS TICKETS, JOB ASSISTANCE, MENTORING, ETC. ONE OF OUR 'FLAGSHIP' SERVICES IS OUR WEEKLY "ALUMNI" MEETINGS, WHICH IS A MEANS OF KEEPING A NETWORK OF RECOVERING INDIVIDUALS FROM OUR PROGRAM TOGETHER, AS WELL AS PROVIDE A PLETHORA OF MEETING TOPICS, SUCH AS 12 STEPS, OBTAINING A DRIVER'S LICENSE, BUDGETING, COOKING, RAISING CHILDREN, OR ANGER MANAGEMENT. THE REAL HOUSE, LOCATED IN SOUTH RICHMOND, WAS OPENED IN MAY 2017, AS A RESPONSE TO THE GROWING NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THOSE EXITING INCARCERATION. THE HOUSE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR MEN EXITING INCARCERATION FROM THE RCJC AND IS A SIX-MONTH SOBER LIVING HOME, WHICH UTILIZES A SIMILAR BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM THAT WAS FOUND WITHIN THE REAL PROGRAM IN THE RCJC.THE REAL LIFE COMMUNITY CENTER IS THE NEWEST OFFERING OF REAL LIFE. THE CENTER OPENED AS A RESPONSE TO A NEED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR MEN AND WOMEN EXITING INCARCERATION, AS WELL AS THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY NEEDING ASSISTANCE TO OVERCOME ADDICTIONS OR BARRIERS THAT HINDER SUCCESS. WHATEVER SITUATION INDIVIDUALS FIND THEMSELVES IN, REAL LIFE IS ABLE TO HELP THROUGH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT IN THE CENTER, AS WELL AS A WIDE VARIETY OF CLASSES, SERVICES, MEETINGS AND GROUPS AT THE CENTER