Read an interesting Miami Herald article about Miami-Dade County state attorney’s office prosecutor, Kionne McGhee, and his passion for second chances to offenders.  It’s exciting to read about others whose zeal is synonymous with our organization’s mission and vision to provide second chances to those less fortunate.

A recent Miami Herald article discusses Florida’s tough sentencing policies and recommendations for change by Florida TaxWatch, an unrelenting champion of fiscal conservatism in state government.  Will Florida follow behind famously tough-minded states who have decided that warehousing low-level criminals was at once ineffective and very expensive?  Will the dire need for support and an increase of investment in halfway houses, work release programs and other innovations for non-violent offenders be recognized and championed ?

Through its Philadelphia Green Program, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society [PHS] has worked for more than 30 years in partnership with residents, community groups, government, and businesses to empower people through horticulture and transform the urban environment through greening.  Click here to read more about how “Philadelphia Green” has helped hundreds of city residents turn neglected, vacant lots into vibrant community gardens.

Miami-born Ralph Martin’s story is hardly a fairy tale.  In fact, one of the article’s unfortunate truths - that citizens convicted of crimes continue to be punished even after they have “paid their debt” to society - reminds us that while progress has been made with re-entry initiatives, the road is still long.  Click here to read more of Ralph Martin’s near impossible rise to success amid life’s challenges and trials…

Come and participate!  Riverside House will be hosting a time of prayer in preparation for the upcoming Weekend of Champions evangelistic outreach event to several Dade/Broward prisons and jails August 27-29, 2009.  We will be meeting the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at Riverside House located at 968 N.W. 2 Street, Miami, Fl 33128.  If you would like to be a part of affecting change in the lives of thousands of inmates, and praying for a powerful outreach to occur through Weekend of Champions, then this is for you!!!  For more information, please contact Yvette Forbes, Chaplain, at 305-326-9799 ext 104 / yforbes@riverside-house.org.

Riverside House, a non-profit, faith-based, residential reentry center, assists Federal offenders in achieving successful reentry into society after incarceration.  Established in 1972, it became the first in the nation to experiment with the rehabilitation of ex-offenders.  Today, Riverside House is a co-ed 80 bed residential reentry center that provides a  holistic approach towards the offender which is accomplished by its vision and mission statement: “Riverside Christian Ministries, Inc. exist to guide people convicted of crime into becoming productive citizens.  This will be accomplished by Community Based Reentry, Community Outreach, Pastoral Care, and Aftercare/Outpatient Services.”

Cleveland Bell III, Executive Director

Cleveland Bell III became Executive Director of Riverside House in 1977.  As a former ex-offender, Mr. Bell was no stranger to the feelings of frustration, anger, and rebellion often felt by those with similar backgrounds.  Over the past 37 plus years through the continuous outpouring of Mr. Bell’s personal life experiences with fellow men and women, and the dedicated, hard work of staff and Board members, the ministry of Riverside House has reached thousands of ex-offenders through jail groups, out-client participation, prison outreach, and inner city activities.  

Bill Glass Teammate Volunteers

Started in 1969 as the Bill Glass Evangelistic Association by founder Bill Glass, the Ministry of Champions for Life evolved from a small City-Wide crusade ministry to the world’s largest evangelistic prison ministry that now includes one of the most effective youth outreach ministries in the country.  Over the last 35 plus years, Bill Glass and Champions for Life have shared the Gospel of Jesus in thousands of towns, cities, churches, prisons, jails and youth facilities across the United States and several foreign countries.  Their mission statement is to: “Assist the church by equipping and igniting Christians to share their faith in Jesus Christ with the ‘least of these’”.  Prior to founding Champions for Life, Bill Glass made a name for himself as one of the most outstanding football players in the National Football League.  He was a consensus All American at Baylor University .  Working with his life-long friend, Dr. Bill Bright, he helped establish the Campus Crusade for Christ chapter on the Baylor Campus.   He was a member of the 1964 Cleveland Browns team who beat the Baltimore Colts to win the NFL World Championship one year prior to the first Super Bowl. Four - time All Pro and College and Texas Sports Hall of Fame were some of Bill’s athletic credentials. He finally retired in 1969 after 22 yrs in amateur and professional football without missing a work out or game.

Platform Guest Speaker, NFL Player

Get ready and sign up today!!!  Weekend of Champions is back for a second year starting August 27-29, 2009 in Miami, Florida.  Riverside House will collaborate with Jack “Murf the Surf” Murphy and Bill Glass Champions for Life Ministries to host the Weekend of Champions event.  The Weekend of Champions, under Champions for Life’s prison ministry, takes a group of professional athletes and entertainers into the prisons of America, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and South Africa in an attempt to reach inmates who normally never set foot in the prison chapel.  The organization spends two days in five to 15 separate institutions simultaneously in any given geographical area.  In addition to the athletes and entertainers, the organization also relies on the help of volunteers known as the Bill Glass “Teammates”.  Each volunteer’s participation is vital to the Ministry as these individuals spend each day with the inmates, visiting, encouraging and sharing one-on-one.  Riverside House is currently seeking men and women of God to participate in this exciting weekend either as a volunteer or as a financial donor.  Volunteers can make a difference by signing up as a teammate to minister in prisons, as well as a host of other volunteers to help make the weekend a success.  For more information on volunteering for Weekend of Champions, please call Ms Forbes at (305) 326-9799 x104 or visit www.billglasschampionsforlife.org.  Persons may also send monetary donations towards the cost of the event, which is $10,000.  Please make check payable to “Champions for Life” and please include in the “memo” of the check: “Miami Event”.  Check should be mailed to: Champions for Life, P.O. Box 761101, Dallas, TX 75376.

Jack Murphy

Jack “Murph the Surf” Murphy, known for committing what has been called the “Jewel Robbery of the Century”, lifted more than $2million in gems from the J.P. Morgan collection in New York City.  While serving 21 years in prison for the jewel heist and other serious crimes, Murf met Bill Glass, former All Pro football player and founder of Champions for Life.  That encounter and a decision to follow Christ changed Murf’s life for eternity.  Upon his release in 1985, Murf soon returned to prison, this time as a featured platform guest, speaking to inmates about his 21 years behind bars and boldy proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.  A regular on Christian TV and radio, Murf has been a guest on CNN’s Larry King Live.  He is an accomplished painter, musician and author of his book Jewels for the Journey.  In 1997, for his lifetime achievement, he was inducted into the Surfing Legends Hall of Fame.  Now living in Crystal River, Florida with his wife, Kitten, Jack is the International Director for the Dallas based Champions for Life Ministries. 

Bill Glass

Started in 1969 as the Bill Glass Evangelistic Association by founder Bill Glass, the Ministry of Champions for Life evolved from a small City-Wide crusade ministry to the world’s largest evangelistic prison ministry that now includes one of the most effective youth outreach ministries in the country.  Over the last 35 plus years, Bill Glass and Champions for Life have shared the Gospel of Jesus in thousands of towns, cities, churches, prisons, jails and youth facilities across the United States and several foreign countries.  Their mission statement is to: “Assist the church by equipping and igniting Christians to share their faith in Jesus Christ with the ‘least of these’”.  Prior to founding Champions for Life, Bill Glass made a name for himself as one of the most outstanding football players in the National Football League.  He was a consensus All American at Baylor University .  Working with his life-long friend, Dr. Bill Bright, he helped establish the Campus Crusade for Christ chapter on the Baylor Campus.   He was a member of the 1964 Cleveland Browns team who beat the Baltimore Colts to win the NFL World Championship one year prior to the first Super Bowl. Four - time All Pro and College and Texas Sports Hall of Fame were some of Bill’s athletic credentials. He finally retired in 1969 after 22 yrs in amateur and professional football without missing a work out or game.

To read more, download the entire Riverside Today Newsletter!

Desmond Meade

Desmond Meade, former graduate of Riverside House’s Substance Abuse program, along with business partner, Frank Hernandez, created, own, and operate The Recovery House, a 3/4 transitional home for those leaving substance abuse recovery programs.  Located in the Hialeah/Miami Springs area, The Recovery House home amenities include free internet and HD cable; a full set of weights; central A/C; washer and dryer; newspaper, breakfast at Denny’s, and a monthly raffle for free rent. 

In addition to his work at The Recovery House, Meade has an associate’s degree in paralegal studies and is currently obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Miami Dade College.  He then plans on enrolling in Harvard Law School.  His post-graduate goal is to return to his community and enter the legal field in the public services arena.  As Meade’s partner in The Recovery House, Frank Hernandez manages the day-to-day operations.  Having been a police officer, firefighter, and mailman, then losing it all to substance abuse, he understands the need for second chances.  Following the footstep of his father Angel Hernandez, who organized the first youth baseball league in Hialeah and has a park named after him, Frank’s main function is to help as many people as he can regain their lives and successfully reenter into society.

At Riverside House we aim to give people a second chance at life and we are proud of each one who graduates from our programs.  We find that many graduates go on to accomplish goals they never dreamed they’d reach.  It is always a privilege to share their stories.

If you would like more information on The Recovery House, contact Desmond Meade at (305) 244-2577 or Frank Hernandez at (786) 337-2231.

To read more, download the entire Riverside Today Newsletter!

Riverside House will host its Sixth Annual Second Chances Fundraiser at the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, 536 Coral Way.  The fee to attend the breakfast event is $20, which will directly benefit Riverside House’s Pastoral Care Program.

This year’s guest speaker is Jack Murphy.  Once infamous for committing what has been called the “Jewel Robbery of the Century,” Murphy stole more than $2 million in gems from the J.P. Morgan collection in 1964. While serving 21 years in prison for the jewel heist and other serious crimes, Murphy met Bill Glass, founder of Champions for Life.  This encounter changed his life and upon his release from prison, Murphy began speaking in prisons to boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus.  He is an accomplished painter,musician and author of the book, Jewels for the Journey.  He is the International Director for Champions for Life Ministries. We are thrilled to welcome him to this year’s fundraiser breakfast.

The goal of our fundraising event is to raise community awareness and to continue to fulfill Riverside House’s vision and mission of guiding people who have served their debt to society into becoming productive citizens.  One such way we carry out this vision and mission is through our Pastoral Care Program. We offer individuals who are imprisoned in mind or spirit a place of refuge while providing life sustaining spiritual and social guidance.  To accomplish this, we give them a non-denominational introduction to a God who will forgive them of their wrongs, love them unconditionally and transform their lives.  The success of this annual fundraising event is a critical component to our Pastoral Care Program as the monies raised directly fund on-going spiritual discipleship, additional spiritual conferences, and the development of a men-to-men mentoring program.  Your contributions will aid this mentoring program to be the vehicle that will grow the Aftercare/ Outpatient Services component of Riverside House’s vision and mission statement.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Carmen Bell, fundraiser coordinator, at cjbell@riverside-house.org or 305-326-9799 ext. 113.