istory of REAL
2007-2010
REAL Life Community Services, formerly known as R.E.A.L. Youth Ministries, was started in 2007 under the umbrella of DOVE Westgate Church. At that time, R.E.A.L. was an acronym for “relational evangelism affecting lives.” The following year, in 2008, Rod Redcay began volunteering at various Cocalico School District events and activities, with the goal of engaging more deeply in the lives of local youth.
The first board of directors was formed in 2010, and its members were Kris and Rachel Zajac, Brad and Sarah Sauder, Deryl Hurst, Steve Goble, and Sunny Redcay.
2011-2015
In September 2011, God told Rod to leave his job and begin working full-time to focus on building R.E.A.L. Youth Ministry. Soon after, R.E.A.L. Youth Ministry received confirmation from the IRS that it was a 501(c)(3). With that foundation in place, Rod began spending time with youth at Wednesday morning Bible studies at Cocalico High School and volunteering with other youth ministries in the area, such as Crossfire and TNT. In addition, he started hosting 5th Quarter parties after home football games, chaperoning school events, and doing whatever else he could to stay actively involved with local youth.
Kevin Eshleman became a part of the Board of Directors as the Board President in 2012.
In 2013, R.E.A.L. Youth partnered with the Power Packs Project in Lancaster to be their Cocalico Affiliate food pantry. We started serving families a couple of bags of food every week during the school year.
In 2014, The Denver Bible Church dissolved and gifted their church building and parsonage to the ministry for $1. Following this generous gift, the building was renovated and became the Lighthouse Youth Center on October 15, 2014. Meanwhile, the parsonage was quickly adapted for use as a home for women transitioning out of the Good Samaritan Women’s Shelter in Ephrata.
In 2015, the Board of Directors saw that the ministry was doing more work with the families of the youth in the community. They officially changed the name to REAL Life Community Services and hired our first official full-time Social Worker.
During this time, Bill Landis, Director of YWAM Caribbean, asked Rod to begin praying about the Denver House, located across the street from the new Lighthouse Youth Center. At the time, the building—a 27-room hotel and bar built in 1863—was once the most beautiful building in Union Station, PA. However, it had since deteriorated into a seedy and dangerous place, carrying the highest police call volume in the Cocalico area. In response, Rod organized a group of prayer warriors to pray for the property.
2016-2020
In February of 2016, the bar closed.
Later that year, Rod met Ray D’Agostino of the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership(Now known as Tenfold). As their conversations progressed, they began discussing the possibility of turning the recently closed Denver House into something of greater value to the community. Ultimately, they decided to convert the property into 10 affordable apartments, three commercial/retail spaces on the street level, a satellite office for Welsh Mountain Health Services(Now known as Union Community Care), and the official offices for the ministry.
In 2017, The Denver House Project officially became the property of REAL Life Community Services and LHOP, and with that milestone, the dream of the Declaration House was born. Shortly thereafter, demolition unofficially began in November.
Over 200 volunteers came out on Saturdays to remove 27 dumpsters of trash and debris left by the previous owners.
In February 2018, REAL Life signed the papers to purchase the building portion of the property, and a groundbreaking was held on September 17.
The Declaration House held its grand opening on August 27th, 2019.
REAL Life purchased an old warehouse behind the Declaration House in March 2020. By September the building was renovated to become “Warehouse916” Food Distribution Center.
2021-2025
In April 2021, REAL purchased the apartment building next to the Declaration House which had 3 apartments and REAL Life added 2 studio apartments to the 3rd floor.
July of 2021, we finally had the opportunity to officially hire Clarence Rutt, a long-time volunteer, as our Facilities Maintenance Manager.
Seeing that our Food Distribution programs were growing, In February 2022 we asked Mary-Beth Levan to join our team as Food Distribution Manager subsequently leading to her becoming Director of Food Distribution.
That same year, State Farm agent Matt Williams, along with REAL Life Community Services employees, rallied the community and won $25,000 from State Farm. This award, in turn, helped pay for a Ford Transit van to transport food orders and people to large events.
As the ministry continued to grow, it became apparent that adding a garage to the side of Warehouse 916 was necessary to house the Ford Transit van and other ministry vehicles. Consequently, the garage was attached to the warehouse and was completed in January 2024.
Beny Iordanescu started as the Program Coordinator in March 2023 and in due time was promoted to Director of Operations.
Robyn Iordanescu was hired as the Executive Assistant in December of 2023.
Becca joined our team in January of 2025, and soon after became a Liscensed Social Worker.
2026- Present
Most recently, we are proud to Introduce Randi as our newest addition to the REAL Life Community Services team! She will be apart of our Social Service department and currently is serving as our Resource Coordinator.