Last Updated on: May 7, 2026
This page is for people leaving incarceration, their families, and case workers looking for reentry support in Riverside.
Riverside has several strong reentry resources for people with criminal records. Below you will find an updated list of all reentry tools, programs and resources. You will find support with housing, employment, legal aid, education, mental health, substance use counseling, and related reentry needs and more.
Notice: For statewide help and/or other California cities, see our full guide to Reentry Programs in California. You may also find our Reentry Survival Guide for Felons helpful.
List of Reentry Programs in Riverside, CA
LightHouse Adult Re-Entry Programs
Address: Multiple locations in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Formerly incarcerated individuals who were released from state prison within the last year and are experiencing homelessness.
What It Offers: Rental assistance, housing case management, employment support services, and assistance obtaining public benefits for people transitioning from incarceration.
Starting Over, Inc.
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: (951) 898-0862
Best For: Formerly incarcerated people and those impacted by incarceration seeking housing, food, and community support.
What It Offers: Transitional and permanent supportive housing, biweekly fresh grocery distribution, community organizing, and advocacy led by formerly incarcerated people.
Kindful Restoration
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Probationers and parolees in Riverside needing comprehensive reentry support and case management.
What It Offers: Reentry services including housing assistance, employment support, substance abuse treatment, life skills training, family support, and transportation to services.
Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC)
Address: Available statewide with programs throughout California
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Formerly and currently incarcerated people seeking support networks and comprehensive reentry services.
What It Offers: Housing assistance, employment support, education opportunities, peer support groups, and advocacy to transform the criminal justice system.
Veterans Reentry Integration Program (VRIP)
Address: Riverside County Veterans Services
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Justice-involved veterans transitioning from incarceration who need comprehensive support.
What It Offers: Employment support, mental health counseling, healthcare access, and personalized assistance to help veterans reintegrate into the community.
Halfway Houses and Transitional Housing in Riverside
Stable housing is one of the biggest reentry needs in Riverside County. Some programs provide transitional housing directly, while others connect people to shelters, sober living, supportive housing, or coordinated entry services.
For a larger housing guide, visit Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing – How to Find Housing With a Criminal Record.
Starting Over, Inc. – Transitional Housing
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: (951) 898-0862
Best For: Formerly incarcerated people seeking safe, supportive transitional housing with community-based services.
What It Offers: Transitional and permanent supportive housing, case management, and peer support from formerly incarcerated staff.
LightHouse Adult Re-Entry Programs – Housing Services
Address: Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Recently released state prison inmates who are homeless and need temporary rental assistance.
What It Offers: Rental assistance, housing navigation services, housing case management, and help obtaining public housing.
MFI (My Family Inc.) Recovery Center – Residential Programs
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: (800) 499-3008
Best For: Adults and adolescents with substance abuse and mental health issues needing residential treatment with stable housing.
What It Offers: CARF-accredited residential substance abuse and mental health treatment with stable housing, medical supervision, and case management.
Housing Solutions for People With Criminal Records in Riverside/County
Housing can be difficult with a felony record, especially when landlords use background checks. Do not pay application fees until you ask whether felony records are automatic denials or reviewed individually.
For more help, read Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing – How to Find Housing With a Criminal Record. You may also want to review our guide to Public Housing for Felons.
Riverside County 211 – Housing Assistance Resource Line
Address: Countywide resource
Phone: Dial 211
Best For: Anyone in Riverside County needing help finding housing, shelter, or emergency assistance.
What It Offers: Free referrals to local housing resources, shelters, coordinated entry services, and emergency assistance programs in Riverside County.
Community Settlement Association – Family Services
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: (951) 686-6266
Best For: Families and individuals needing housing assistance, emergency support, and holistic family services.
What It Offers: Housing support services, case management, utility assistance, emergency financial assistance, and referrals to other housing resources.
Lestonnac Free Clinic – Mobile Medical Services
Address: Mobile unit serving Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Murrieta, Moreno Valley, and Perris
Phone: (714) 633-4600
Best For: Low-income people, including those with criminal records, needing free medical and dental care.
What It Offers: Free medical, dental, and vision services through mobile clinics in Riverside County communities.
Emergency Food, Clothing, and Basic Needs
If you just got out of jail or prison and need food, clothing, hygiene items, emergency shelter, or benefits, start with these resources.
For more options, read Emergency Financial Help for Felons. You can also check whether you qualify for Food Stamps (SNAP) as a Felon.
Riverside County 211
Address: Countywide resource
Phone: Dial 211
Best For: Anyone in immediate need of food, shelter, emergency assistance, or benefits.
What It Offers: 24/7 referrals to local food pantries, food banks, emergency shelters, and community assistance programs throughout Riverside County.
Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino Counties
Address: 2950 Jefferson Street, Suite A, Riverside, CA 92507
Phone: (951) 359-4757
Best For: Low-income individuals and families needing emergency food assistance and access to food banks.
What It Offers: Food distribution through partner food banks, access to emergency food programs, and referrals to coordinated community resources.
Community Settlement Association – Food Pantry
Address: 8778 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92503
Phone: (951) 688-6632
Best For: Riverside residents needing emergency food and emergency financial assistance.
What It Offers: Food pantry with fresh and non-perishable food, emergency clothing, diapers, diaper bank services, and referrals to other assistance programs.
Lutheran Social Services – Food Assistance
Address: Multiple Riverside County locations
Phone: (951) 289-9808
Best For: Individuals and families with limited income seeking food and emergency assistance.
What It Offers: Fresh and non-perishable food pantry services, refrigerated items, and case management assistance.
CalFresh (Food Stamps) Application
Address: Countywide through local DPSS offices
Phone: 1-877-847-3663
Best For: Anyone with low income who wants to apply for CalFresh benefits to purchase food.
What It Offers: SNAP/CalFresh nutrition program providing a debit card for food purchases at grocery stores; online application available.
Free or Low Cost Healthcare and Mental Health Help
Many people coming home from jail or prison need medication, therapy, addiction treatment, dental care, mental health care, or a primary doctor. These Riverside resources may help. You can also read our guide to Health Insurance for Felons for more coverage options.
Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health
Address: Multiple Riverside County locations
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Adults and adolescents with mental health and substance abuse challenges.
What It Offers: Outpatient mental health services, crisis intervention, substance abuse treatment, peer recovery services, and evidence-based therapies.
MFI (My Family Inc.) Recovery Center – Primary Care & Mental Health
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: (800) 499-3008
Best For: Adults and adolescents needing affordable primary care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment.
What It Offers: CARF-accredited primary care clinic, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and aftercare support; accepts Medi-Cal.
Riverside County Department of Mental Health – 24/7 Urgent Care
Address: Three countywide locations open 24/7
Phone: 2-1-1 or contact through website
Best For: Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency.
What It Offers: 24/7 mental health screening, assessments, crisis intervention, and referrals to treatment services in a trauma-informed setting.
Riverside County Behavioral Health – CARES Line
Address: Countywide resource
Phone: (951) 955-2286 (Riverside) or (760) 863-8262 (Desert)
Best For: Anyone seeking behavioral health screening and referrals to mental health or substance abuse services.
What It Offers: 24/7 crisis line providing compassionate screening and linkage to county mental health and substance abuse programs.
Riverside County CalWORKs Mental Health Services
Address: Multiple DPSS GAIN offices throughout Riverside County
Phone: Contact local DPSS office
Best For: Low-income welfare-to-work participants with mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence barriers to employment.
What It Offers: Free counseling, therapy, psychiatric services, parenting classes, anger management, and domestic violence support.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National phone and referral service
Phone: 1-800-662-4357
Best For: Substance abuse and mental health treatment referrals nationwide
What It Offers: SAMHSA provides free, confidential referrals to local treatment providers for mental health and substance abuse needs.
Legal Help, Expungement, and Documents
Legal help can make a major difference after incarceration. People may need help clearing records, reducing charges, getting IDs, handling warrants, dealing with child support, fixing tickets, or understanding employment rights. For more on record clearing, see our Felony Expungement & Sealing Information. You may also find our guides to Background Check Laws and Seven Year Background Check States helpful.
Inland Counties Legal Services – Expungement Clinic
Address: Riverside and San Bernardino County locations
Phone: Contact through website for intake assessment
Best For: Adults with past misdemeanor or felony convictions in Riverside or San Bernardino County who cannot afford an attorney.
What It Offers: Free legal assistance with expungements, record clearing, Prop. 47 petitions, and other post-conviction relief.
Riverside County Public Defender – Fresh Start Program
Address: Multiple Riverside County locations
Phone: Contact through website for eligibility information
Best For: Riverside residents seeking help with expungements, felony reductions, record sealing, and certificates of rehabilitation.
What It Offers: Free post-conviction services including expungements, Prop. 47 petitions, Prop. 64 petitions, record sealing, and certificate of rehabilitation assistance.
Riverside Superior Court – Expungement Self-Help Information
Address: Riverside County Courthouse locations
Phone: (951) 222-0384
Best For: People filing expungement petitions or seeking information about record clearing options.
What It Offers: Self-help resources, forms, and information about expungement, record sealing, and post-conviction relief options.
Riverside County District Attorney’s Office
Address: County courthouse locations throughout Riverside
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Information about victim rights, restitution issues, and case-related legal questions.
What It Offers: Information and assistance on legal matters related to criminal cases and victim services.
Employment Help for Felons in Riverside
Employment is the key to successful reentry. Some people need job training; others need help knowing which employers may hire people with records. Riverside has resources that specialize in helping people with criminal backgrounds work.
For more, read Jobs For Felons & Companies.
Riverside County Workforce Development
Address: Multiple Riverside County Workforce Development Centers (Riverside, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, Moreno Valley, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, and other locations)
Phone: (951) 955-3100
Best For: Anyone unemployed, underemployed, or seeking job training and career advancement.
What It Offers: Free job seeker services including resume assistance, mock interviews, career counseling, job search assistance, training up to $8,000, laptop assistance, and one-on-one career coaching.
Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) – Employment Support
Address: Statewide with local chapters
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Formerly and currently incarcerated people seeking employment support and peer mentoring.
What It Offers: Employment support services, job placement assistance, peer mentoring from formerly incarcerated staff, and career development opportunities.
Kindful Restoration – Employment Services
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Probationers and parolees needing employment assistance and job readiness support.
What It Offers: Employment assistance including job searching, resume building, interview preparation, skill development, and job placement support.
LightHouse Adult Re-Entry Programs – Employment Services
Address: Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Recently released state prison inmates needing employment support and job placement.
What It Offers: Employment support services, job search assistance, job placement, and employment maintenance support.
Riverside County Department of Public Social Services – CalWORKs Work Program
Address: Multiple locations throughout Riverside County
Phone: Contact local DPSS office
Best For: Low-income individuals on welfare needing employment support and job training.
What It Offers: Job training, employment services, career counseling, transportation assistance, and supportive services to help move to self-sufficiency.
Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment in Riverside
Substance abuse treatment is a critical reentry service, especially for people with co-occurring disorders. Riverside County offers many treatment options, from outpatient counseling to residential programs.
MFI (My Family Inc.) Recovery Center
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: (800) 499-3008
Best For: Adults and adolescents with substance abuse and addiction issues, including those with co-occurring mental health disorders.
What It Offers: CARF-accredited outpatient and residential substance abuse treatment, medication-assisted treatment, detoxification, primary care, and mental health services.
Riverside University Health System – Substance Use Treatment
Address: Multiple Riverside County locations
Phone: (800) 499-3008 for assessment
Best For: Riverside County residents needing withdrawal management, residential treatment, medication-assisted treatment, or outpatient substance abuse services.
What It Offers: Comprehensive substance abuse services including detox, residential treatment, outpatient counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and specialized programs for pregnant women.
Riverside County Substance Use Program – Outpatient Drug Free Services
Address: Multiple county clinic locations
Phone: (800) 499-3008 or walk in for assessment
Best For: Individuals starting to experience consequences of substance use who are not yet requiring residential treatment.
What It Offers: Outpatient counseling services, group and individual therapy, prevention education, and referrals to additional treatment as needed.
Riverside County Substance Use Program – Residential Treatment
Address: County-operated locations throughout Riverside County
Phone: (800) 499-3008 for assessment
Best For: Individuals needing 24-hour residential substance abuse treatment and recovery support.
What It Offers: Unlocked, 24-hour residential recovery programs with group support, sponsorship, specialized programs for women and pregnant individuals, and co-occurring disorder treatment.
Inland Southern California Crisis and Suicide Helpline
Address: Countywide 24/7 crisis line
Phone: (951) 686-HELP (4357)
Best For: People in acute crisis situations related to substance abuse or mental health emergencies.
What It Offers: 24/7 crisis support and mobile crisis response teams available for on-site assistance in crisis situations.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National referral line
Phone: 1-800-662-4357
Best For: People who need free, confidential referrals to local substance abuse or mental health treatment
What It Offers: SAMHSA connects callers to treatment providers, support groups, and community-based organizations nationwide.
Family, Youth, and Community Support
Reentry affects families, children, and the whole community. These organizations may help with mentoring, family support, youth programs, community connection, and advocacy.
Starting Over, Inc. – Community Programs
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: (951) 898-0862
Best For: Formerly incarcerated people and their families seeking community support and family services.
What It Offers: Reentry All Of Us or None advocacy group (meets third Monday monthly), community organizing, family support, and civic engagement opportunities.
Community Settlement Association – Family Services
Address: Riverside, CA
Phone: (951) 686-6266
Best For: Families needing holistic family wellness, education support, and community services.
What It Offers: Family services, after-school programs, cultural and arts enrichment, educational support, health and wellness programs, and bilingual services.
Riverside County Department of Public Social Services – Family Support
Address: Multiple locations throughout Riverside County
Phone: Contact local DPSS office
Best For: Families needing support with basic needs, child care, education, and community resources.
What It Offers: Family support services, child care resources, education program referrals, family reunification assistance, and community referrals.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside
Address: Multiple Riverside County locations
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Youth ages 6-18, including those from families affected by incarceration.
What It Offers: Youth programs, mentoring, academic support, after-school activities, character development, and safe community spaces.
Other Helpful Resources
These guides may also help if you are rebuilding your life in Riverside County:
Reentry Programs in California
Best For: Statewide reentry help
What It Offers: A larger list of California reentry programs, housing resources, job help, legal support, and basic needs resources.
Jobs For Felons & Companies
Best For: People looking for work with a criminal record
What It Offers: A list of companies and job types that may be more open to hiring people with felony convictions.
Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing
Best For: People who need housing after incarceration
What It Offers: Practical advice for finding apartments, asking about background checks, and locating housing options that may review applicants individually.
Emergency Financial Help for Felons
Best For: People who need immediate help with money, food, bills, or basic needs
What It Offers: Emergency assistance ideas and places to look for short-term help.
Grants for Felons
Best For: People looking for financial assistance to rebuild after incarceration
What It Offers: A guide to grants that may be available to people with felony records.
Scholarships for Felons
Best For: People with records who want to pursue education
What It Offers: A list of scholarships that may be available to formerly incarcerated people and those with criminal records.
Resources for Felons
Best For: General reentry help
What It Offers: A broader collection of resources for people with felony records.
What Makes a Good Reentry Program in Riverside?
A good reentry program should do more than hand you a phone number. Look for programs that offer direct help, clear intake steps, realistic services, and staff who understand criminal records.
Strong reentry programs usually help with:
- Housing or housing referrals
- Job readiness and employer connections
- Substance abuse or mental health support
- Legal aid or expungement referrals
- Identification documents
- Family reunification
- Case management
- Transportation or basic needs referrals
- Long-term support, not only one appointment
Tips for Choosing a Reentry Program in Riverside
Call before you go. Ask whether you need an appointment, ID, proof of release, probation paperwork, parole paperwork, Medicaid information, or referral documents.
Ask these questions:
- Do you work with people who have felony convictions?
- Do you help with housing, or only give referrals?
- Do you help people who are homeless right now?
- Do you help with jobs or only resume classes?
- Do you help with expungement or record clearing?
- Is there a waitlist?
- Do I need to live in Riverside County?
- Do you accept walk-ins?
- Are services free?
- What should I bring to my first appointment?
Disclaimer
This page is for general information only. Reentry program details, eligibility rules, phone numbers, locations, funding, and services can change at any time. Always contact the program directly before visiting. Help For Felons does not guarantee that any organization will accept you, provide housing, offer financial help, remove a criminal record, or place you in a job. This information is not legal advice. Program information on this page was gathered from official program websites, county and city sources, and direct program listings. If you find outdated or incorrect information, please contact us.
