Hope + Hospitality - Project Real

THE WORK

Each October, much of the world recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month. At Project REAL, we take it a step further: for us, October is Domestic Violence Prevention Month.

In the U.S. — and replicated in many places globally — at least one in four women, one in seven men, and one in three non-cisgender people will experience relationship violence at some point in their lives. One time is too many.

Since October 2021, Project REAL has been delivering a proven prevention solution in Nevada. Our REALSafe Relationship Violence Prevention Experience is given to every senior in each high school we partner with.

Students are told a first-person story that puts them in the role of someone experiencing relationship violence. They are then given our 200-page Adulting 101 guide, which includes 20 pages focused on relationship violence. After the experience:

More than 90% of students report believing the program either saved their life or prepared them to save someone else’s.
An additional 70% of students report they are almost certain to read the relationship violence section of Adulting 101 — even though there is no grade attached.

This combination of storytelling and resource access is motivating students to invest in their own safety. And with most victims not realizing they are experiencing a crime until it’s too dangerous to leave easily, this work is saving lives.

The experience is provided free of charge to any Nevada high school willing to schedule it. Typically, we deliver it over two consecutive days by combining all Government and Economics classes, since Nevada law (SB108, 2017) requires this information to be made available to seniors.

The Work

MAKE AN IMPACT NOW

The most important way to support this effort is simple: get us into schools. Delivering our REALSafe Relationship Violence Prevention Experience to seniors is our top priority, and it is the most effective way we can save lives right now.

We serve every county in Nevada — urban, rural, and remote (we’ll set up an in person presentation with community partners). If a high school is willing to invite us, we will be there. Our team typically delivers the program over two consecutive days by combining all Government and Economics classes, in full alignment with Nevada law (SB108, 2017).

REALSafe works. More than 90% of students who participate say it either saved their life or prepared them to save the life of someone they know. But the experience only happens when schools open the door. That’s where you come in.

If you are in a position to help us reach another high school, please contact us today. Together, we can ensure that every senior in Nevada graduates with the tools to recognize relationship violence, seek safety safely, and prevent future harm.

Please call 702.703.6529 to get started right away.

SUPPORT THE WORK

Beyond access to schools, sustaining the work also means putting resources directly into students’ hands. In past years, our Hope & Hospitality project allowed restaurants to donate October proceeds. For 2025, we’ve paused that effort to prepare for Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month in February 2026.

This year, our focus is on a matching challenge from the State Bar of Nevada: they will match up to $20,000 we raise in sponsorships for Adulting 101.

The story motivates students, but the book is how they truly learn about the signs, the cycle, the economic impacts, and how to seek safety safely. It also provides guidance for students with controlling or abusive leanings — connecting them to resources like cognitive behavioral therapy and local programs that can redirect them before harm is done.

If you’d like to support this work, please contact us at Project REAL. Together, we can save lives and prevent future violence. Please call 702.703.6529 to get started right away!