2025 By the Numbers

As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on how hope has shown up across our work.

At REAL LIFE, hope is built through action, removing barriers, showing up consistently, and walking alongside people and families toward safety and stability. This list offers a snapshot of what that hope looked like this year, told simply, by the numbers:

3 Cities served through Project SAF (Safe, Alive, and Free), a community violence intervention program: Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond

4 Alumni awarded scholarships to pursue their Peer Recovery Specialist certification

5 Jails and prisons where REAL LIFE delivers Real Talk with REAL LIFE, our domestic violence prevention program for men who cause harm

6 Project SAF Life Coaches building trust, mediating conflict, and preventing violence

7.4 months Average time for Lifers to complete the program and graduate

9.8 months Average length of stay for graduates who move into our Graduate House

11 REAL LIFE Recovery Houses supporting recovery and stability

13 Graduates who achieved REAL LIFE Alumni status

14 Women who completed REAL LIFE through the WAITT program at Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail

21 Full-time staff advancing recovery, safety, and stability

23 Peer facilitators leading Real Talk with REAL LIFE domestic violence prevention classes at Lawrenceville Correctional Center

25 Men who completed REAL LIFE through the WAITT program

36% Of Lifers, on average, reside in REAL LIFE Recovery Houses free of charge at any given time, as everyone moves in free to eliminate barriers to recovery

$40 Average daily cost to provide safe, sober housing for one person

41 New female Lifers welcomed into REAL Houses

57% Of those who begin their journey at REAL LIFE go on to graduate

59 Lifers who graduated and moved into their own homes

67 Project SAF clients working one-on-one with Life Coaches to create safer, brighter futures

68 Lifers who crossed the stage as REAL LIFE graduates

70 Children of Lifers and Project SAF clients whose holiday wishes were fulfilled through Angel Tree

89 Custom notifications completed to connect individuals with Project SAF support

116 New male Lifers welcomed into REAL Houses free of charge, eliminating barriers to recovery

149 Jobs secured by Lifers through our Employment Pathways Program

173 Holiday meals shared with Lifers, Project SAF families, and community members

264 Men who completed REAL LIFE’s domestic violence prevention program at Lawrenceville Correctional Center

500+ Halloween costumes shared with Project SAF families, bringing joy to children and families

5,354 Households reached through Project SAF and the Community Resilience Project

27,807 Bed nights provided through REAL LIFE Recovery Housing, each representing one person housed for one night

40,074 Minutes spent building relationships and providing direct support to Project SAF clients

$1.6M Income earned by Lifers who gained employment through our Employment Pathways Program