Faith in Action: New Hanover Presbyterian Church’s Partnership with REAL LIFE

Our connection goes all the way back to the beginning. Debbie, a leader at the church shares, “New Hanover Presbyterian Church first connected with REAL LIFE when Sarah and Sheriff Woody started a recovery program in the Richmond City Jail.”

She continues, “REAL LIFE and Project SAF (Safe, Alive, and Free) are so important to us because they allow our congregation to learn about the impact of community trauma, generational poverty, and substance use on families and to do something that actually helps the folks experiencing those hardships.”

One of New Hanover’s most recent gifts is a pull-behind grill for Project SAF. After learning about the need, the congregation funded it within two days. Today, it brings neighbors together at community events across Richmond, Hopewell, and Petersburg, including our recent REAL LIFE Industries press announcement.

Mike, REAL LIFE’s Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) Coordinator and Employment Navigator, says, “It’s great to have such amazing donors who can turn a vision into reality! The grill is a huge help because it allows us to go out and serve community members impacted by violence in their own neighborhoods.”

Their partnership extends far beyond the grill. From baking Juneteenth cookies and assembling hygiene kits to providing cleaning supplies and welcoming our staff to their church, New Hanover continues to show up in meaningful ways.

As Debbie puts it, “To partner with an organization like REAL LIFE that is actually going into the communities and building relationships based on trust and reliability, elevating community members and folks with lived experience, and doing the diligence of researching and learning what works and what doesn’t is a door opening to a better city and life for us all. We want to be part of that!”

Thank you, New Hanover Presbyterian Church, for your faithful partnership.