About Us

Our Team has a Passion to Make a Meaningful Impact on the Opioid Epidemic.

Since our launch in 2021, the team at Live R.E.A.L. Foundation has worked tirelessly to promote our cause. We are fortunate to have volunteers from all walks of life who bring their unique expertise and resources into everything we do. This is what enables us to achieve our goals year after year.While there is always more that can be done, there is no doubt that we are making a significant impact. We have trained over 150 people distributing over 430 doses of Narcan. We have talked with thousands of people about how opioid deaths do not discriminate. We have met hundreds of people that share a common sorrow of losing a loved one to this senseless epidemic.See how you can become part of the difference.

Programs

The Live R.E.A.L. Foundation is participating in a United Way Program called the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative. We are located at the Marie Ave House in Machesney Park along with the Tommy Corral Memorial Fund and Secondary Success and Beyond. Together we provide community services directly in the community. Click the house icon to see what is going on.

Awareness & Advocacy

Interactive Community Events
The R.E.A.L. News (newsletter)

Livin' R.E.A.L. FB page

The R.E.A.L. Life YouTube vlog

Training & Education

Public Community Classes

Occupational Opioid Training

Seminars

coming soon: Hidden Right In Front of Me (interactive exhibit)

Support &
Building Community

Livin' R.E.A.L. with Grief support group

Connecting People with Resources

Community Collaborations

Strong Neighborhoods Community Garden

Change your thoughts, you'll change your actions.
Change your actions, you'll change your world.
Change YOUR world and you'll change THE world!

Jennifer Muraski,
Winnebago County Coroner

"I was honored to be asked to speak at the Rockton River Market tonight. Thank you Live R.E.A.L. Foundation for sharing your story. Beverly Coleman - Pomering, you are an inspiration. Keep up the hard work…it WILL pay off.". #EndOverdose

Carrie Schrader, RX after attending the

Rockin' for Live R.E.A.L. Benefit Concert

"I am so thankful for some giggles over the weekend, and a much needed distraction. My fellow 80's ladies, you ROCK!I
And, (Beverly Coleman-Pomering) you amaze me! Keep up the amazing work you're doing of bringing education & awareness to help stop the stigma around mental illness & substance use dependency!"

Makenzie, Local Mortician

"While I love, admire, and respect, each family I work with at the funeral home. I’d like to talk about this lady here, her name is Bev. I worked with Bev when her father passed away, he was an adorable old man who had suspenders that looked like a ruler. They proudly showed his sobriety coins at his funeral, 36 years of dedicated hard work of sobriety. I met their whole family at his funeral. Then, a few months after his funeral, I got a call from Bev with the news that her 20-year-old son Alex, had passed away from fentanyl. Addiction is sneaky and I believe everyone, at some point in their life, will know someone or struggle themselves with substance abuse.
Bev could have stayed in a dark place from such devastating losses in the same year. She could have been mad at the world and God (and I’m sure there was many times where she was) but, she chose to take one day at a time, and establish the Live REAL foundation and try to help families who have struggled in the same way she has. She created a mission to try to prevent opioid deaths by providing people with Narcan education and support. She leads with love and compassion to those who struggle with addiction. Addicts are not bad people, they are people struggling and some with mental illness. It can be treated with community support, love, compassion, and with people like Bev who care to sit with someone struggling and in pain.
Don’t let your next decision be your last decision. Don’t wait to seek help. Just open your hand and be willing to receive, and I believe everyone has the capability to overcome the urges of self destruction.
You deserve to be okay."