At our Community Center, Lifers engage in groups, classes, community service, and meetings. At REAL LIFE East as we call it, Lifers attend many groups each week that are led by staff, volunteers, and peers. Each class and group is aimed at assisting in the “recovery from everyday addictive lifestyles” (what REAL stands for). This includes many different topics, as we strive to ensure they not only stay clean, but learn how to live clean and remain clean, while establishing a thriving life. As our “main hub,” we hold community events, such as clothing and coat drive and hygiene pack giveaways. At the Center, we also are able to livestream classes for those we have “open classes” for that are not in Richmond, in order to give them a classroom like experience.
Through the Center, we also engage in service work in an area of the City of Richmond that has dire needs. Much of this is done in tandem with COG (Coalition of Good), which REAL LIFE is a founding member of. COG is made up of people who have a vested interest in the East End of Richmond and engage in monthly service work.