Riverside House

What Riverside House does

Riverside House (legal entity: Riverside Christian Ministries Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) faith-based non-profit founded in 1973 in Miami, Florida, operating as a federally contracted Residential Reentry Center under the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The organization provides structured reentry support to formerly incarcerated men and women through a 120-bed residential facility, with 24/7 supervised housing, individualized case management, counseling, employment preparation, substance abuse treatment, life skills training, educational opportunities, and faith-based programming. It has held continuous BOP contracts since 2005, with 33 awards cumulatively exceeding $42 million extending through 2029. Since April 2024, the organization has also operated a 30-bed Emergency Shelter Program in partnership with Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, and in 2025 launched Riverside Reentry 2.0, a non-residential community-based program targeting 2,000 individuals annually over five years.

The organization's business model is multi-stream non-profit funding: federal BOP contracts (primary), county-level contracts via Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, and charitable donations from individuals, organizations, and foundations. It carries ECFA certification and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating. Services are provided at no cost to participants, with client acquisition occurring through government agency referrals (BOP, U.S. Probation, Pre-Trial Services) rather than traditional marketing. The technology footprint is minimal: Reentry 2.0 app, ClientTrack HMIS case management, and a Day Reporting Center with computer access. The organization reports a 95% success rate (versus 25% national recidivism), 89.4% program completion, and 66% employment graduation rate, with 1,500+ clients served cumulatively.

Riverside House is led by Cleveland Bell III, a formerly incarcerated individual who has served as President & CEO since 1977, growing the organization from a 12-bed facility with a $20,000 budget to a 150-bed campus operating across three integrated programs. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and operates within Miami-Dade County, with state, county, and federal government affiliations including the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA, the State of Florida, and multiple Florida state agencies.

Name

Riverside House

Legal name

Riverside Christian Ministries Inc.

Website

https://riversidehouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Riverside House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Miami operating a 120-bed federal Residential Reentry Center under the Bureau of Prisons, plus a 30-bed emergency shelter, providing housing, case management, employment preparation, counseling, and faith-based support to formerly incarcerated individuals and homeless adults in Miami-Dade County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Bureau of Prisons Contracts: Riverside House operates as a contracted Residential Reentry Center under the Bureau of Prisons, receiving federal funding for residential reentry services. Federal contracts extend through 2029 with 33 total awards exceeding $42 million. This is the primary revenue stream supporting the organization's operations.
2. Miami-Dade Homeless Trust Partnership: The Emergency Shelter Program is funded through a partnership with Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, providing county-level funding for homeless services. The 30-bed emergency shelter launched in April 2024.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Riverside House receives donations from individuals, organizations, and foundations. The organization maintains ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) certification and Charity Navigator 4-star rating.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Riverside House is a faith-based, non-profit social services organization operating a BOP-approved Residential Reentry Center with 120 beds in Miami, Florida. The organization provides 24/7 supervised housing, case management, counseling, employment preparation, substance abuse treatment, life skills training, and spiritual development to men and women transitioning from federal incarceration back into the community. The portfolio also includes a 30-bed Emergency Shelter Program for individuals experiencing homelessness, operated in partnership with Miami-Dade Homeless Trust.

Product overview

Riverside House operates as a non-profit, faith-based residential reentry center offering an integrated portfolio of programs and services. The core offerings include: the Residential Reentry Program (120-bed co-ed facility with 24/7 supervised housing), Riverside Reentry 2.0 (non-residential community-based support with day reporting and up to 3-year alumni follow-up), and the Emergency Shelter Program (30-bed shelter for homelessness). These programs are supported by 15 distinct service areas covering safe housing, case management, counseling (individual and group), substance abuse treatment, life skills training, employment preparation and placement, educational opportunities, housing assistance, family reunification, spiritual development, and alumni aftercare. The organization functions as a platform-plus-services model where residential participants receive the full continuum of services on-campus, while non-residential participants access services through the day reporting center and community outreach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Reentry Program A federally contracted residential program providing 24/7 supervised housing for men and women in the final phase of federal custody, offering safe housing, case management, counseling, employment preparation, and life skills training. Operates a 120-bed campus with three daily meals, structured daily schedules, and access to the full continuum of integrated services.
• Riverside Reentry 2.0 (Non-Residential Reentry Program) Non-residential, community-based reentry support program providing structured accountability, case management, day reporting center access, alumni support groups, and up to three years of post-release follow-up for individuals living independently. Supports returning citizens under federal or state supervision and serves as a community-based alternative to residential placement.
• Emergency Shelter Program 30-bed emergency shelter providing short-term housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, with daily meals, case management, housing navigation, and connections to permanent housing through the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust partnership. Participants are referred exclusively through the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Coordinated Entry System.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% success rate vs. 25% national recidivism rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and founding.

• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiverside House operates as a contracted Residential Reentry Center under the Bureau of Prisons. This is the primary federal partnership providing oversight, funding, and client referrals. Federal contracts extend through 2029 with 33 total awards exceeding $42 million. BOP ensures program quality, safety standards, and outcome verification through rigorous compliance reviews.
• Miami-Dade Homeless TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partnership for the 30-bed Emergency Shelter Program launched April 2024. Provides funding, oversight, and coordinated entry referrals for homeless individuals. Part of Miami-Dade's 2,800+ countywide emergency shelter network. Riverside House CEO Cleveland Bell III serves as founding and current committee member of Miami-Dade Homeless Trust.
• U.S. Probation Office & Pre-Trial ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal supervision agencies that refer individuals to Riverside House programs. Provide oversight and coordination for participants under federal supervision who are transitioning from incarceration to community reintegration.
• International Community Justice Association (ICJA)minorOthersProfessional association membership connecting Riverside House with national best practices, research, policy development, and peer learning in the reentry and justice field.
• Kairos Prison Ministry InternationalminorOthersRiverside House CEO Cleveland Bell III is a founding member of Kairos Prison Ministry International. Partnership provides volunteer teams, prayer support, and faith-based programming for residents.
• National Reentry Resource CenterminorOthersProfessional network providing access to national best practices, research, and resources for reentry programming excellence.
• Camillus HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing homeless services and support within the Miami-Dade community. Collaboration on serving shared populations in need of shelter and support services.
• Catalyst MiamiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partnership providing resources, advocacy, and support services for Miami-Dade residents including Riverside House participants.
• United WayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way awards for community impact and leadership. Partnership provides community support, resources, and recognition for reentry programming excellence.
• Celebrate RecoveryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian 12-step recovery program partnership providing faith-based recovery groups addressing hurt, habits, and behaviors. CEO Cleveland Bell III leads a weekly Celebrate Recovery group open to residents and community members.
• Prison FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational faith-based ministry providing in-reach programs, volunteer support, and resources for incarcerated and returning citizens.
• Goodwill South FloridaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkforce development and employment partnership providing job training, career services, and employment opportunities for Riverside House participants.
• OIC of South FloridaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development organization providing employment preparation, training, and job placement services for community members including justice-involved individuals.
• Banyan Community HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partnership providing mental health and behavioral health services for Riverside House participants through community referrals.
• Borinquen Medical CentersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partnership providing medical services and health access for participants through community health center collaboration.
• Georgia Southern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership providing volunteer support and learning opportunities. University students and CRU volunteers returned March 16-19, 2026 to serve at Riverside House.
• Riverside United Methodist ChurchfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner from 1973. Joint project of Riverside United Methodist Church and Dade County Correction and Rehabilitation Department established the organization's faith-based foundation.
• NBCUniversal Telemundo EnterprisesminorOthersMedia partner providing visibility and support for Riverside House mission and programs in the Miami community.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National faith-based non-profit network providing reentry, housing, and social services — overlapping with Riverside House's faith-based residential reentry and case management offerings.
• The Salvation Army: Global faith-based non-profit operating residential reentry, emergency shelter, and substance abuse programs. Compares to Riverside House's residential reentry and emergency shelter programs with broader geographic reach.
• GEO Group (GEO Care): For-profit operator of Residential Reentry Centers and community-based correctional facilities under federal contracts. Competes with Riverside House for BOP contracts but operates at much larger scale with proprietary for-profit model.
• Volunteers of America: National faith-based non-profit operating reentry, housing, and homeless services across the U.S. Larger organization with broader portfolio but overlapping service categories with Riverside House.

Regional players

• Camillus House: Miami-based non-profit providing homeless services, behavioral health, and health care to vulnerable populations. Direct local peer partnership with Riverside House and competing for Miami-Dade Homeless Trust contracts.

Direct peers

• Center for Employment Opportunities: National non-profit focused on employment-based reentry services for formerly incarcerated individuals. Comparable to Riverside House's employment preparation, job placement, and workforce development partnerships with Goodwill and OIC.
• Osborne Association: New York-based non-profit offering reentry housing, family services, and prison-based programs for justice-involved individuals. Direct comparable to Riverside House's residential reentry and family reunification model.
• The Fortune Society: New York-based non-profit providing comprehensive reentry services including residential programs, case management, employment, and housing assistance for formerly incarcerated individuals — same integrated service model as Riverside House, scaled to a larger urban footprint.
• Homeboy Industries: Los Angeles-based non-profit providing reentry services, mental health support, workforce training, and faith-based programming for formerly incarcerated and gang-affiliated individuals. Shares Riverside House's faith-based, holistic, multi-service model.

Others

• Goodwill Industries International: National non-profit providing workforce development and job placement services for disadvantaged populations including justice-involved individuals. Direct partnership with Riverside House via Goodwill South Florida for employment services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/riversidehouse
• Xx.com/riverside_house
• Facebookfacebook.com/MiamiRiversideHouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riverside-house

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Riverside House