Helping ex-offenders achieve successful reentry into society

In today’s Miami Herald article, the topics of community and relationships are seen as what they are: vitally important!  One cannot do without the other, and when there is a break down present, neither the community nor relationships can stand on its own and hope to make a difference or bring together unity.  Whether “we” as society like it or not, we can only turn our heads away for so long saying, “it is not our problem”.  The concern is, does the “issue” have to hit “close to home” before we own it?

Maria Alonso,Cleve Bell,Gene Schaefer,Thea Goldman

In October Mr. Cleveland Bell III, executive director of Riverside House, was awarded as a recipient of Bank of America’s 2010 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Awards in the Local Hero category. The awards honored 13 individuals in four different categories. Recipients of the awards are individuals who improve Miami’s community and make the city a better place.

As noted by Brian Moynihan, CEO and President of Bank of America, in the event’s program, “At Bank of America, we combine our resources, expertise and partnerships to strengthen the communities we serve, acting as an economic engine to help set opportunity in motion. By investing in outstanding community leaders through our Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, we are helping make local communities better places to live, work and do business.”

Gene Schaefer,Octavia Kearney,Cleve Bell,Evelys Ubiera,Peggy Gaines

Congratulations on your accomplishments, Mr. Bell!

Join First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, Florida as it hosts an exciting guest, Mike Slaughter and Discovery Fair event on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker, Mike Slaughter, will be speaking about ways to recapture Jesus’ mission to reach out to the world around us in God’s love.  Attendees will be encouraged to seek volunteerism opportunities from over 18 social service organizations represented, one being Riverside House!  For more information regarding the event’s details, please click here.

Mike Slaughter

Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, is the three-decade dreamer of Ginghamsburg and the spiritual entrepreneur of ministry marketplace innovations. His life-long passion to reach the lost and set the oppressed free has now made him a tireless and leading advocate for the children, women and men of Darfur, Sudan, named by the U.N. as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. Mike’s call to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted will challenge attendees to wrestle with God and their God-destinies.

When Mike arrived at Ginghamsburg Church in 1979, worship attendance hovered at 90 with 118 members and an annual budget of $27,000. Now, 4000 attendees on average worship weekly at Ginghamsburg and the multi-million dollar budget helps resource a faith community committed to serving the poor, lost and disenfranchised.

“Rehabilitation with Dignity” was a dream of Roberto Perez, a lay preacher; Reverend O. Dean Martin, Pastor of the Riverside United Methodist Church; and Jack Sandstrom, Director of the Dade Community Correction and Rehabilitation Department. Together, they envisioned a halfway house that offered the means for those with a first-time offense the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Cleveland Bell III

Cleveland Bell III became Executive Director of Riverside House in July of 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. 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.

Today, Riverside House is a private, non-profit organization that has been successfully operating as a coed community residential reentry facility for over 35 years.

Mr. Cleveland Bell III

On Sunday, March 20, 2011, Mr. Cleveland Bell III, Executive Director of Riverside House will be presenting report information regarding the impact church member contributions have made  to the organization.  This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear about the endeavors set in motion through the generous giving of one of Riverside House’s long-standing donors, Central Presbyterian Church.  Come hear and support Mr. Bell as he speaks at 9 and 11 a.m. respectively.  For the event’s address,  please click here.

Riverside House, established in 1973, is a non-profit, faith based organization assisting ex-offenders to re-enter society successfully, and serving the Miami-Dade county community to reduce crime and make neighborhoods safer for the last 39 years.

Central Presbyterian Church was founded on May 15, 1927, as a mission project of First Presbyterian Church, Miami on Brickell Avenue.  The church is led by the Reverend Jonathan T. Swanson and its vision is to know God; grow in God; go with God.

If you are interested in hosting Mr. Bell as a guest speaker at your next business/fund raising event, business meeting, church service/event, please click here.

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.