Services

REAL LIFE prides it self on providing comprehensive services in house, as to ensure Lifers have the highest likelihood at reaching a thriving life. Through our comprehensive approach we are able to identify services each Lifers needs in order to decrease their individual risk factors of re-offending, re-using substance(s), or re-engaging in unhealthy behaviors.

Our program is available at no cost to begin, which includes moving into our recovery transitional house. As a program that uses a holistic, evidence-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, and behavior modification approach, we aim to help the whole person, not just one part. This process establishes the mutual rapport between the Lifer and Pathway Navigator, or case manager, to ensure this path becomes a way of real life.

To start, 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 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 and toward graduation.

As these factors are addressed, individuals have a greater chance of overcoming their adverse circumstances to achieve the Thriving Life desired.

 

REAL LIFE delivers services through 5 core programs:

REAL LIFE Center
Provides a catalyst to overcome adversities, sustaining sobriety, and providing a pathway to a thriving future.

Motherhood Program
Builds relationships with expectant and recent moms that have been impacted by incarceration, homelessness, or substance use disorder.  This relationship allows delivery of services and programs that help Moms overcome their unique personal and community barriers that hinder the pathway to a thriving life.

Recovery Transitional Housing
Support Lifers that need a structured residential environment for recovery during their transition from incarceration, addiction, or homelessness to independent living and a Thriving Life.

Quick Start to Employment
Assist Lifers in obtaining and keeping employing, providing a pathway to financial independence for the participant and their family, thus restoring personal dignity while serving others.

Jail Programming
Provide tools to those who are incarcerated, in order to prepare them for release and build their level of resilience.

 

REAL LIFE’s Pillar of Service

All delivery of service is done through one of RL’s pillars of service. 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.

Sustained sobriety
A Thriving Life begins with sustained sobriety. The result is a consistent daily walk with a rational, clear, and controlled state of mind. Without sobriety, the other pillars cannot be truly experienced. 

Meaningful Employment

Obtain and keep employment that provides a pathway to financial independence for the participant and their family. As one applies their skills in a job, the result is restoring personal dignity while serving others.

 

Functioning Family

Reunite, rebuild, strengthen or develop a functioning family that provides a safe and nurturing environment. A functioning family can have several forms, but it should always provide an emotionally safe environment that fosters open communication to express any opinion, thought, or feeling.

 

Community Interaction

Interacting with others in a way that leads to mutually beneficial outcomes. This encompasses the recovery term “living life on life’s terms,” behavior modification, and trauma informed care.  All lead to appropriate interactions with others and within the community.

Practicing a Personal Faith
Faith in God provides meaning for life, informs daily decisions that lead to better outcomes in life, and provides inner strength. Faith gives us strength in times of weakness. “Practicing” emphasizes the application of faith, not merely the intellectual understanding. Faith is “optional” for Lifers.

 

Other Items:

Classes, Groups, and Services at the Center

While Lifers  will have a personal plan that outlines what they should engage in to overcome their greatest risk and needs factors, they also qualify for all services of the center. This includes weekly classes on topic such as: anger management, bible study, parenting (motherhood/fatherhood/co-parenting), financial literacy/budgeting, job preparation, trauma, mental health, writing for resiliency, and alike. Additionally, two times a year, we offer Jobs for Life, which is a 12-course, 6-week intensive job preparation program. Jobs for Life Program prepares participants to gain meaningful work through honest relationships, mentoring, work-force development training, and an ongoing community of support.