The River’s Edge Ranch (RER) is a place where hope is restored for men with broken lives, empowering them to live the “abundant life” and have a positive impact on their families and communities. RER serves adult men who seek to recover from the travails of substance abuse. Many are veterans, parolees and homeless men who have been referred by family, friends, local churches and community organizations. A one-year commitment to RER’s multi-phase approach is required from participants. This approach integrates manual labor, animal-assisted therapy, service to others, faith and mentoring support.

Phase One

The first phase of the recovery program focuses on the restoration of mental and physical health, as well as gaining basic life skills such as healthy eating, restful sleep and exercising. Ranchers in Phase One:
  • Submit to healthy eating, sleeping, and exercise program
  • Work and sleep full-time at the Ranch
  • Participate in daily Bible study and worship
  • Engage in weekly community service of feeding the homeless in Lucerne Valley at the Ranch every Wednesday                 ​

Phase Two
The second phase allows the men to prepare for their transition back into society by working full-time at the Ranch as well as learning responsibility and how to be of service to others through community service. Ranchers in Phase Two:            
  • Work full-time at the Ranch and sleep offsite at supervised house 10 miles from the Ranch
  • Participate in daily Bible study and worship
  • Participate in weekly service at local community food banks such as Touch ministries and CityLink
  • Prepare and lead a Bible study once a month for their fellow ranchers ​

Phase Three

The third and final phase is designed to fully transition the men back into society. In Phase Three, the men move into transitional housing, take on full-time employment and are mentored on the importance of spiritual, emotional and financial stability. Ranchers in Phase Three:
  • Work and sleep full-time at supervised transition houses in Bloomington or Fontana
  • Participate in daily Bible study and worship, as well as in the service of the community and church
  • Yield to house rules, supervision and financial accountability
  • Learn to support themselves independently
  • Throughout the recovery program the men are counseled on how to support themselves and their families while contributing service to their communities. They are also encouraged to learn new skills and/or a trade in order to achieve greater financial stability.