2024-10-19T16:03:51-05:00 2023-12-31 201925771 OWEN PLC 7294 Ellingham Court Glen Allen VA 230597172 990 2023-01-01 371797980 REAL Life REAL 8043223392 PO Box 27372 Richmond VA 23261 Sarah H Scarbrough Founder and Director 8044064111 2024-10-18 1 0 Thomas E Owen Jr CPA P00486794 8042413258 2024-10-18 X 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z Real Life Center Sarah H Scarbrough PO Box 27372 Richmond VA 23261 2199461 0 X www.reallifeprogram.org X 2016 VA REAL LIFE's mission is to create pathways to attain and sustain a thriving life for those who desire change. REAL LIFE's vision is to walk alongside its clients and those in need, in order to see them grow into a prosperous and thriving life.Our mission is to develop a relationship with each person we serve (as we refer to them, Lifers) that equips them to make the visible progress necessary for their personal pathway to a Thriving Life. Along the way, we engage the community and bring awareness to the needs of Lifers. Our work meets a standard of accountability we call compelling stewardship that allows us to engage Lifers with a level of service and financial effectiveness seldom seen. 10 10 25 0 258 0 1282900 1824045 364811 375158 62984 93 -13996 -29161 1696699 2170135 0 0 0 0 630032 969358 0 0 0 792403 781233 1422435 1750591 274264 419544 1089552 1480312 98162 69377 991390 1410935 X REAL LIFE's mission is to create pathways to attain and sustain a thriving life for those who desire change. REAL LIFE's vision is to walk alongside its clients and those in need, in order to see them grow into a prosperous and thriving life.Our mission is to develop a relationship with each person we serve (as we refer to them, Lifers) that equips them to make the visible progress necessary for their personal pathway to a Thriving Life. Along the way, we engage the community and bring awareness to the needs of Lifers. Our work meets a standard of accountability we call compelling stewardship that allows us to engage Lifers with a level of service and financial effectiveness seldom seen. 0 0 1094369 375158 REAL LIFE helps bridge the deep divide between successful living and incarceration, homelessness, and substance use disorder. This is done by addressing these issues in a way that empowers individuals to become independent, successful, and valued members of their community through housing, employment, education, accountability, and emotional support. REAL LIFE provides Lifers with the skills and ability to face daily struggles and unexpected challenges, allowing them to be in control of their future.At REAL LIFE we refer to those we serve as Lifers because we help them in all aspects of life. To us, a Lifer is more than just a client, consumer, or patient. We know that when Lifers seek change through REAL LIFE, it will be a lifelong change. Developing a thriving life is more than staying clean; it is learning to live clean. It is the idea of recovering to something greater than what was lost. We take a holistic approach, as recovery is necessary for life and not just for the moments they are with us.Supporting Lifers in the development and implementation of a realistic plan to achieve their educational goals.As a complement to our Employment Pathways Program, we offer an Educational Pathways Program. Most of the individuals we serve do not have college degrees, and many do not have high school diplomas. Lifers interested in going back to school for either their GED, college degree, or workforce credential can make their dreams a reality with the support of our Educational Navigator.Selecting an educational pathFrom selecting the right school and program to fit their needs to applying for financial aid and filling out the FAFSA, the Educational Navigator meets with each Lifer to help them develop and implement a realistic plan with a feasible timeline.Through the Education Navigation program, we also connect Lifers with technical programs they may be interested in, such as working toward their CDL. Additionally, have a construction pre-apprenticeship program for those qualifying and in our program for at least 3 monthsREAL LIFE Curriculum Inspiring participants to face their problems and overcome their addictive lifestylesQUOTE: "As I progressed through the curriculum book, I made changes in my life, reconnected with family, while journaling my progress through each module. I gained the structure and stability to regain my life skills and move out on my own." AlanThe cornerstone of the REAL LIFE program is a 23-module curriculum written by Dr. Scarbrough. The curriculum is based on trauma-informed care and behavior modification. This approach is unique to REAL LIFE due to the complexity, intensity, and significant training required to implement. The curriculum's behavioral modification focus inspires participants to face their problems and overcome their addictive lifestyles, whether it is to drugs, alcohol, dealing drugs, women, cars, etc. namely, whatever placed them in their current situation, and so often kept them caught in the cycle time and time again.Highlights of our curriculum: Written by REAL LIFE Founder and Director, Dr. Sarah Scarbrough after working with thousands of inmates over 10 years within a jail setting and in the community. Written through a trauma-informed lens, this curriculum uses social learning models and cognitive-behavioral interventions are utilized to help participants restructure and reframe destructive thought patterns while developing healthy coping skills. One curriculum that encompasses a comprehensive approach to addressing addictions and behaviors to modify thinking. Written specifically for education levels of 6th grade for men and 9th grade for women. Focused on long-term change, helping Lifers understand, apply and establish lasting change.Background on the Curriculum: REAL LIFE's core curriculum entitled Real Life with REAL LIFE, written by REAL LIFE Founder and Director Dr. Sarah Scarbrough, positively and comprehensively addresses addictions and behaviors, while working to also modify thinking. Dr. Scarbrough authored Real Life with REAL LIFE after years of searching for an appropriate curriculum and not finding one that was practical and all-encompassing for REAL LIFE and the Lifers. REAL used different curriculums in the past, but there were always problems. Some were written at an education level that was too advanced (the average education level of those served is 6th grade for men and 9th grade for women). Further, there was not ONE curriculum that encompassed all that was needed, and therefore the expectation was for an individual to go through many different curriculums in order to get all of the pieces needed for change. After working with thousands of inmates over 10 years in the jail, and then working a similar population in the community, Dr. Scarbrough realized a curriculum needed to be written. One that included all aspects of life that needed to be addressed in order to have LONG TERM change. Not just change for a month or a year, but LONG term. As such, Dr. Scarbrough took nearly a year and a half writing Real Life with REAL LIFE. She wrote it in a way that she knew was necessary for Lifers to understand, apply, and establish long term change. This curriculum is based on evidence-based practices and is in the research phase, so that it may become an evidence-based curriculum in the future.REAL LIFE uses an evidence-based, person-centered, trauma-informed and behavior modification approach in providing services. We aim to help the whole person, not just one part; we seek to address the whole issue, rather than the individual symptoms. The root cause is often associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including violence, poverty, health disparities, and racism, which is what we work for each Lifer to manage and overcome.We focus on 5 pillars in all aspects of service delivery that will lead to a Thriving Life: (1) sustained sobriety; (2) meaningful employment; (3) functioning family that provides a safe and nurturing environment; (4) community interaction that leads to mutually beneficial outcomes; (5) practicing a personal faith that leads to better outcomes of daily decisions (optional).Our primary objective is to serve individuals with a desire to overcome their adversities. Our goal is for Lifers to achieve a thriving life. We provide Lifers with a path to thriving, not just recovery. It is the idea is recovering to something greater than what was lost.Initially, 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 the 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 in order to build a thriving life.A Thriving Life is more than staying clean; it's learning to live clean while taking advantage of our God given abilities of family, work, community, and faith. REAL LIFE refers to these abilities as "Pillars of Thriving." 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. 486778 REAL Housing supports Lifers that need a structured residential environment for recovery during their transition from incarceration, addiction, or homelessness to independent living and a Thriving Life.REAL LIFE sets the highest standards of care to foster personal growth, develop a foundation for long term recovery, and improve the quality of life through delivering REAL LIFE's 5 pillars of service.The housing crisis can be viewed as two primary issues "affordable housing and "controlled environment housing" needed for recovery and transition to independent living. Fortunately, several organizations are working for affordable housing. A lot of funding and work is being applied to affordable housing.REAL LIFE will always extend help to Lifers needing affordable housing upon completion of the program, but the unique housing contribution for REAL LIFE is accommodating Lifers who need a controlled environment to recover and/or transition to independent living.While we work to get individuals in a housing crisis into affordable housing, options are significantly limited for those without income (which most Lifers do not have). For those needing a recovery house, there is often nothing we can do due to the shortage of this type housing that is safe, stable, and affordable.Recovery houses REAL LIFE Housing fosters a community of people who need safe, sober, and structured recovery housing during their transition to a thriving life.QUOTE: "One of the smartest things I've ever done is to voluntarily go into the REAL LIFE Program, and I'm glad I did. I needed that change. 18 months of structure. Now, I've been on my own, making big decisions, working hard every day and taking it day by day. So far, so good." Josh K. Serving individuals in 12 houses with 131 bedsMany men and women seeking services from REAL LIFE are in crisis not only due to their addiction, but also because of their housing situation. Sadly, a large portion of Lifers were previously homeless, bouncing from couch to couch, or living in a place that is not conducive to recovery or they are coming directly from incarceration.Individuals residing in one of REAL LIFE's houses receive intensive case management services and supervision through their Pathway Navigator.. Comprehensive programming and recovery support, including 20-30 hours of classes per week with REAL LIFE curriculum . Employment support . Education support . Peer supportInterested in applying to REAL LIFE for you, a family member, friend, client, probationer? Housing Process Basic criteria . Over 18 years old . Able to pass a drug test. If detox is needed, that must occur before coming to REAL LIFE. . Willing and able to work; not on disability and not planning on filing disability . If there is a mental health diagnosis, they must be regulated and completely medication compliant if on medication. . Willing to commit to the strong rigor and structure that REAL LIFE requires, equating to almost 40 hours a week of programming. This includes case management, 25 classes and groups a week, competition of the 234 page REAL LIFE curriculum, and more. 7280 It is our goal to meet clients where they are through either connecting clients with existing resources or fill the gaps where they are present. While Richmond has many great resources through non-profit and government resources, often individuals do not know how to navigate or access the many options. This is where REAL Life helps guide and connect them with such resources, such as housing, medical, or mental health. However, REAL Life also provides services/resources where there are gaps due to lack of services, whether that is due to not enough resources or none at all, such as cell phones, bus tickets, job assistance, mentoring, etc. One of our 'flagship' services is our weekly "alumni" meetings, which is a means of keeping a network of recovering individuals from our program together, as well as provide a plethora of meeting topics, such as 12 steps, obtaining a driver's license, budgeting, cooking, raising children, or anger management. The REAL House, located in South Richmond, was opened in May 2017, as a response to the growing need for affordable housing for those exiting incarceration. The house is also available for men exiting incarceration from the RCJC and is a six-month sober living home, which utilizes a similar behavior modification program that was found within The REAL Program in the RCJC.The REAL LIFE Community Center is the newest offering of REAL LIFE. The Center opened as a response to a need in the community for men and women exiting incarceration, as well as those in the community needing assistance to overcome addictions or barriers that hinder success. Whatever situation individuals find themselves in, REAL LIFE is able to help through intensive case management in the Center, as well as a wide variety of classes, services, meetings and groups at the Center 1588427 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 0 25 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X Sarah H Scarbrough 8044064111 PO Box 27372 Richmond VA 23261 Sarah H Scarborough PhD Founder and Director 40.00 X X 109571 0 0 Jamal Brooks Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Anand Francis Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Elaine Minor Board Member 2.00 X X 0 0 0 CT Woody Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Tanya Warren Secretary 2.00 X 0 0 0 Allen Bowman Treasurer 2.00 X 0 0 0 Julie Dime Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Chelsea Rarrick Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Julie Herzog Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 109571 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 51815 1772230 1824045 Program service revenu 624200 355587 355587 Virginia Peninsula Reg 624200 13575 13575 Staff support for prog 624200 5996 5996 375158 93 93 0 51815 29326 -29326 -29326 Miscellaneous reimburs 624200 165 165 165 2170135 375158 258 -29326 109571 54786 54785 788147 700410 87737 71640 60266 11374 16572 13941 2631 17669 15352 2317 486778 486778 3995 3995 1738 1738 3081 3081 6036 6036 Group Violence Interven 194766 194766 Web/software subscripti 20112 20112 REAL LIFE East 9126 9126 Alumni food 7280 7280 14080 10760 3320 1750591 1588427 162164 0 994324 1395898 28526 8462 20256 20064 74972 64350 1089552 1480312 6400 6400 91762 62977 98162 69377 X 905450 1103387 85940 307548 991390 1410935 1089552 1480312 419544 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 528709 781002 1327860 1714918 2199368 6551857 528709 781002 1327860 1714918 2199368 6551857 6551857 76 15 38 76 93 298 6552155 1.00000 0.99990 X Schedule A, Part VI. REAL Life was incorporated as a Not-for-Profit Organization in Virginia on March 16, 2016. However, de-minimus financial activities of less than $25,000 were conducted in 2016 and Form 990-N was filed. Operations and financial activities commenced March 1, 2017. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 8438 582 7856 20088 7880 12208 20064 Current portion of lease liabilities 46422 Long-term portion of lease liabilities 16555 62977 X 2199461 29325 29325 2170136 0 2170136 1779916 29325 29325 1750591 0 1750591 Part X, Line 2: REAL LIFE has evaluated its tax position for all open tax years subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service which include the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Based on the evaluation of REAL LIFE's tax positions, management believes all tax positions taken by REAL LIFE will be upheld for any examination that may follow in the open tax years previously mentioned. Therefore, no provision for the effects of uncertain tax positions has been made by management for the year ended December 31, 2023. Part XI, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Expense reduction of Portraits of Hope Gala event income 29,325. Part XII, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Expense reduction of Portraits of Hope Gala event income to Pt VIII, 8c 29,325. X Portraits of Hope Gala 2500 W Broad St Richmond VA 23220 Fundraiser and Silent Auction to further the support of REAL 1 51815 0 51815 51815 51815 Portraits of Hope Gala 51815 51815 6803 14131 4855 3537 51815 51815 6803 14131 4855 3537 29326 -29326 Sarah H Scarbrough PO Box 27372 Richmond VA 23261 Schedule G, Part I, Line 2b, Column (v) Portraits of Hope Gala is a fundraiser and auction where proceeds received after covering the cost of this event is used to further the Mission of REAL LIFE to create pathways to attain and sustain a thriving life for those who desire change. REAL LIFE's vision is to walk alongside its clients and those in need, in order to see them grow into a prosperous and thriving life.. As Program Director in the Richmond City Justice Center (RCJC), or the City Jail, from 2013 to 2017, Dr. Scarbrough and her staff continued to receive multiple calls each week relating to the obstacles faced by returning citizens who were a part of The REAL (Recovery from Everyday Addictive Lifestyles) Program, the nationally and internally recognized behavior modification program, when they were incarcerated. While The REAL Program highly prepared someone for success upon release from incarceration back into the community, the number of challenges post-release hindered success for many. Obstacles such as lack of cell phones or bus tickets hindered many people's ability to even apply for a job. Lack of safe and stable housing often resulted in individuals either sleeping on the street or going back to the crack house they previously lived in. While these are just a few of the many obstacles faced by many, they are severe enough to put someone back into the same situations they found themselves in prior to their incarceration, contributing to starting the cycle of addiction and incarceration, yet again. As such, REAL LIFE was founded to address the aforementioned needs as best as possible. Operating with volunteers for the first two years of existence, REAL LIFE was only able to assist individuals in need in a small manner, such as through helping with resumes or providing cell phones or bus tickets. And, the help was only available to those who were exiting incarceration in Richmond. However, since then, we continued to realize the need was much bigger than what we have the manpower and infrastructure to manage; this includes the needs of those we were currently helping, as well as those who were homeless, battling a substance use disorders, or exiting incarceration from other jurisdictions. We were receiving many calls from individuals in need, probation officers asking for our help, counselors in various jails and prisons all asking for our help. We knew REAL LIFE had to do more. As an initial response, we opened a recovery house for men in April 2017. This enabled us to provide much needed housing for those without funds to access housing elsewhere, whether it be independent living or at other recovery houses. The REAL House housed up to nine men at a time, that otherwise would be homeless or living in very undesirable and unsafe conditions, an opportunity for a fresh start through a structured and safe environment. Yet, we knew the house was just the first step, as it was not near enough. There were many others in dire need of assistance. As such, through strategic planning sessions and shortly thereafter, established the REAL LIFE Community Center (RLCC) in December 2017. This was REAL LIFE's first opportunity to be able to serve anyone (over 18 years old) who desired change. Our primary objective of the RLCC is to serve individuals with a desire to overcome their substance use disorder, homelessness, former incarceration, or other adverse situation, and to sustain their sobriety, in order to help equip them to achieve a thriving LIFE. The unique attribute of the Community Center is providing clients with a path to thriving, not just recovery. It is the idea of recovering to something greater than what was lost. We do this by providing a pathway to a thriving future through cultivating stronger families, gaining meaningful employment, and improving personal interaction skills, while building a foundation of faith. Individuals who desire a catalyst for overcoming addiction and sustaining sobriety, leading to a pathway to a thriving future are welcome to the Center during hours of operation. Clients meet with their assigned case manager in order to develop a holistic planned designed specifically for them, which walks them step by step to a thriving life. Additionally, REAL LIFE has kicked off Project SAF, which follows the Group Violence Intervention program, aimed at working with individuals likely to shoot or be shot, in order to lower gun violence in identified localities. A lot of the same tenants of REAL LIFE programming are used when working with SAF clients through providing an intervention and life coaching model. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b Form 990 is reviewed by Organization's Founder and Director before its release. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c REAL Life's Conflict of Interest Policy document identifies procedures for determining whether a conflict of interest exists, the disclosure of such, and actions to be taken by the board member and the governing board upon disclosure of such a conflict. REAL Life has also documented its procedures for addressing the conflict of interest. REAL Life has documented the procedures to be taken when it is believes that a violation of its conflict of interest policy has occurred and procedures to be taken when violation has been deemed to have occurred. Annually, each board member, committee member and manager with board delegated powers shall sign a statement which affirms that such person has received a copy of the conflict of interest policy, has read and understands the policy, has agreed to comply with the policy and understands REAL Life is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax exempt purposes. Outside advisors may be used by REAL Life to assist its board with monitoring its compliance with its conflict of interest policy. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and Management is subject to review and approval by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors on an annual basis. Compensation of other officers and key employees is subject to review and approval by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors on an annual basis. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 18 Form 1023 and Form 990 are available for public inspection upon request. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 Governing documents , conflict of interest policy and tax returns are made available to the public upon request. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c REAL LIFE's Board also acts as the audit committee and their process for selection of auditor and its internal review of its financials has not changed since the prior year end.