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For Miami’s homeless community, it can often feel like hope is lost. Florida’s House Bill 1365, which enforces a ban on public camping, took effect on October 1, 2024, providing increased challenges for this vulnerable population. A new program at Riverside House, a residential reentry facility in Miami, seeks to help ease the burden and risks with its new Riverside Emergency Shelter Program.
The program is making a significant impact since its inception in March 2024 having served more than 70 individuals to date. Persons in the program are empowered to achieve new beginnings through guidance that assists them to secure essential foundations for restoring their lives including employment and housing.
Thomas is one such resident. With the support of the program, which also provided him with a selection of men’s dress shirts and job search tools, he secured a new job as a server at Benihana and is well on his way to getting back on his feet.
Another resident, Frederico, who joined the program without employment or a residence of his own, has now secured two jobs—one in security and the other in guest services at Marriott. He recently moved to another city in Florida where he also now has a home of his own.
“I look back and I am thankful for your hospitality and the support I received from the program. For me, it was a lifesaver,” Frederico recently shared with his case manager.
The Riverside Emergency Shelter Program offers 24/7 housing for up to 30 residents who are provided with three meals per day, public transportation to work, medical appointments, and required programming, as well as clothing, hygiene products, and a laundry facility. Residents are also granted access to computers and telephones to be used for job searches, medical appointments, and for the purpose of family reunification. Programming to provide individual and group counseling is also available to each resident. Residents also have the option to attend Celebrate Recovery weekly meetings. In addition, staff is on-site 24/7 to help ensure the safety and well-being of each resident.
“I’m excited about the launch of Riverside’s Emergency Shelter because it takes me back to a time in my life when I was homeless. Being able to contribute to a program that offers beds, space, and the support needed to help individuals get back on their feet is incredibly rewarding,” said Cleveland Bell, President and CEO of Riverside House. “It’s fulfilling to be part of a solution that brings positive change to our community.”
Homelessness is a complex social problem that can impact communities in many ways including the availability of healthcare resources, crime and safety, the workforce, and the use of tax dollars. It can also lead to delays in emergency response, longer wait times for assistance, and decreased property values.
By reducing homelessness, programs like the Riverside Emergency Shelter are improving the health and well-being of individuals and therefore helping to prevent overburdening medical staff and increasing the cost of copays. In addition, people experiencing homelessness are also more likely to be arrested and incarcerated. This can be exacerbated by the fact that many people leaving incarceration have no place to go and may have lost or severed ties with family and friends.
To provide a holistic range of services, the Riverside Emergency Shelter Program, a community partnership with the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, requires an investment of $45 per day per individual in the program, which is why Riverside House is dedicating this year’s Give Miami Day fundraising event to benefit the program. The theme, “Hope Starts Here,” aims to be the spark of hope for Miami’s homeless community in using donations to kick-start a change in the lives of individuals like Thomas and Frederico.
“When donors contribute to the program, they are supporting changing an individual’s life forever,” says Dave McSherry, COO of Riverside House. “With the support of our community, the homeless cycle can be broken.”
To make a contribution to the Riverside Emergency Shelter Program, please visit RiversideHouse.org or consider donating to Riverside House on Give Miami Day on Thursday, November 21. For more information on Riverside House, please contact Carmen Bell at cjbell@riverside-house.org or (305) 384-4787.
If an individual is interested in enrolling in the Emergency Shelter Program at Riverside House, please contact The City of Miami Beach at (305) 604-4663 or The City of Miami at (305) 960-4980.
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