Helping ex-offenders achieve successful reentry into society

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.