Growing Leaders at REAL LIFE

Posted: December 19, 2025 | Author: Real Life Staff

Over the past few months, REAL LIFE staff, the majority with lived experience, completed an intensive leadership class with Dr. Chris from the Leadership Institute at @upseminary. Together, they read Atomic Habits, studied and discussed Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, wrote proposals, and presented real-world community projects.

One standout project came from Alumni Coordinator Jasmine, who developed Resilience in Action, a mentorship-based nonprofit idea connecting individuals in recovery with youth ages 12–17. She described this as a “tender age,” when many young people face identity struggles and early exposure to drugs. Her mission is simple and powerful: “to build genuine connections to help youth positively cope with life.”

For many participants, this was their first academic-style class in years. The experience challenged and inspired them, showing what they are capable of. As Jasmine shared, “This class proved I can learn in different ways… and that I really can go back to school one day.”

We are incredibly proud of our Leadership Class graduates. Their resilience, courage, and dedication are the heartbeat of REAL LIFE.

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