We Do Recover

I've been wanting to do this for a while and tell my story but sometimes it's scary to be honest with everyone. But here it is and, hopefully, my story will help someone. I was sober for 9 months when I relapsed in March of last year. I started using for 3 months; neglected my responsibilities; lost my job and became an irresponsible parent. I was so irresponsible that I left my children with a man whom I thought was a good person but who turned out to be a sex offender and who almost killed my son, Damon. I had run a background check on him; however; he had given me a false name and false spelling. I was so out of my mind that I believed everything that was told to me. I lost myself and didn't even realize it until it was too late. On June 21, 2022, I found my son, Damon, barely breathing. He was severely beaten and we called 911 just in time for him to be air-lifted to the hospital. They told me that my son only had a 30% chance of making it through the night.

DHR swore that I would be able to be with my son that night after the police questioned me; however, DHR told me I wasn't allowed around my son for a week. They took my other two children because I had poor judgment in people with whom I left my children. The night that I found Damon, I dropped to my knees and begged God to save my son. I told God. and I made a promise that day, that I would walk the path he wanted me to walk and I would never touch another drug again and that I would do whatever it took as long as he saved my baby. For a week I reached out to DHR begging them to let me see my children. My whole life had been turned upside down and everything I ever loved was taken from me and I only had myself to blame.

I hated myself for a very long time. I didn't know what I should do except to stay off of drugs and pray to God every day. Then I found this rehab and decided I knew what I needed to do. I surrendered my life over to God and I've been praying every day and working so hard every day to be a better person because that's what I promised God that I would do. I am now 10 months sober. I have found peace in my heart and my mind and my soul and forgiveness from God. I've healed from so much but it hasn't been an easy journey. I still don't have my children and I'm still fighting every day but I know that I'm getting closer to my goal. I know that I'm getting closer to what my true calling is; I know that God has a plan for me. Before I went into rehab, I had no hope; I just knew that I had lost everything I loved.

My son Damon now is out of a coma and is talking, writing, reading, playing, singing and even has his personality still. He still can't walk but he is in a rehab for physical therapy and occupational therapy to help him get better and he's getting better day-by-day because God is healing him and I believe God will restore him 100%. I haven't seen my oldest son, Nathaniel, or my youngest son, Justin Jr., since October of last year. I'm fighting so hard every day and this is a tough battle that I'm fighting but I know where my focus is. I know what I need to do and have do to be better so that I can be better for them. I won't give up!

After graduating rehab, I needed further assistance and found an Oxford House to continue my recovery journey. Choosing to move into Oxford House was the best decision I've ever made. I have a recovery family and an amazing support system. I needed the accountability and help to transition back into a normal lifestyle and they have given me so much more than I could have dreamed of. I love my house and my roommates and I love our Oxford House family. I would highly recommend Oxford House for anyone trying to change their life around for the better. With us you have a whole support system filled with love and understanding. It's an amazing experience! I pray that my story helps someone. All because of my addiction, I made choices that I never would have made if I had been sober but I forgive myself for this and all I can do is keep trying to do better every day and I'm so proud of where I am. I've changed so much about myself and I will continue to change every day; I'll be better than what I was the day before. I've learned so much from this situation and I just cannot wait to have my babies back. Oxford House gives me even more opportunities to become a better me!

Oxford House saved my life. I had lost everything; my house, my family, any finances, and all hope. I had no insurance or I.D. Oxford House took me in at my lowest and provided me with a safe place to live, the structure and accountability to build a solid foundation of recovery, and the love of a family I’ve never had. I am now an active alumna, I have my family back, and I work in recovery. Oxford House made my best life possible.

My parents were murdered when I was 8 years old. I lived in foster care until one of my aunts and uncles got custody of me. I had met them only once. They only wanted me because of the money my dad had just gotten. They beat me and made me clean their house and do all their chores. When I was 12, my aunt with whom I had grown up got custody of me after seeing bruises on me. I moved from Alabama to Pensacola, Florida.

I had never seen anyone do anything but, when I was 12, my aunt’s husband gave me crack cocaine. I ended up doing every drug there was and got hooked on pain pills. I ended up getting married in 2008 and had my son in 2009. My ex-wife went to prison a couple of years later for 4 years. I had my son before she went to prison and the whole time she was there. When my son was 5, I moved back to Alabama after being gone for 20 years. I tried to start a new life and quit taking all drugs but I quickly found out that I was addicted. I then got arrested for so many different things and I was court-ordered to 6 months in rehab. I even cheated that and only did 3 months. My son went and stayed with my aunt and uncle who didn’t do drugs. My ex-wife got out and I ended up letting my son go live with her because she had changed her life and married a rich man.

I ended up going to over 9 rehabs. I got arrested for public intoxication over 15 times with many other arrests. I could complete rehab but couldn’t stay sober. So, after my last arrest, I went to rehab in Louisiana and, when I got out, God finally put Oxford House in my life two years ago and I was able to learn how to be a productive member of society. I was wanting a job as an Outreach Worker for months but I ended up relapsing 8 months after I got there. I’m glad I did because when I was finally able again to be an Outreach Worker, a position that was only an hour away from my son, became available in a new area in Alabama. So now I’m an Outreach Worker and completely love what God is doing in my life.

My journey of recovery began when I accidentally put myself into cardiac arrest in my disgusting studio apartment, on the run from probation. I was completely out of reach of my phone, unable to get up to answer the door even if I could, by some miracle, reach out to anyone. All I could think about was how embarrassing to die like this ... but clearly that wasn't God’s plan for me. After what seemed like hours, I was finally able to get up and get my phone and the first call I made was to my home health agency to get on a wait-list for rehab. They called me back almost immediately and offered me a bed 2 days later and I spent those next 2 days packing everything I owned and putting it all in storage. I was leaving my relationship and my life all behind, which for any addict seems impossible, but I knew it was time.

I spent just shy of 2 months in treatment before I got an interview with Oxford House Ski Valley and was accepted. I was beyond grateful and also extremely terrified of the change but I felt good. I was on IPS and had to make a schedule with my probation officer every week, find a routine, be held accountable and, were it not for the support that the women in my House provided, I might not have made it through that.

At my first chapter meeting, I nominated myself to be of service as the female HSC co-chair and was accepted into the role (knowing absolutely nothing about what I had just signed up for) and, with the help of the other chapter officers, I quickly learned how to fulfill that role and be of the best service I could. I worked 2 jobs and completed my RSS certification and got a car and pursued a career in the mental health field.

After some time, I attended my first state association meeting where I stepped up as the state secretary and nominated myself as a candidate to run for the World Council. To my surprise, my state selected me to run for the resident seat for Az. In September of last year, I went to the World Convention and was elected onto the World Council and I am living in complete gratitude. Oxford house has changed my life. It has given me room to grow and thrive and be of service and, as a result of all those things, I have become a better person. I have now successfully completed probation and I still have a job in a treatment facility in Tucson, AZ. I'm currently enrolled in school for behavioral sciences to pursue a career as a therapist for substance abuse. I don't know what my future holds but I know that I wouldn't have gotten this far without Oxford House and the amazing family I've made with the people here.

“My name is Chance Epple, and this is my story in Oxford House. I was residing in residential treatment in Phoenix, Arizona after serving a one-year sentence in county jail. While I was in treatment, there was a presentation held about a recovery home call Oxford House. I was at the halfway mark of completing treatment and was on the search for a sober living situation that would be beneficial for my recovery. To be completely honest, I was dreading the fact of moving into sober living based on my past experiences. Most sober living facilities only care about the money, and personal recovery in not a priority, at least in my experience. So, I had attended this presentation on Oxford House, and was instantly interested because it sounded different. When I was a week from graduating treatment, I had an interview set up at Oxford House Tres Palms, and was starting a new job. When I did my interview for Oxford House, I was a little nervous considering I've never been asked so many questions trying to get into a recovery home or sober living. But I knew when I first walked into the house, that was where I wanted to be. The guys in the house were all welcoming, and the vibe was great. When I completed the interview and was accepted into the house on November 15th, 2019, I was beyond grateful and motivated to do the next right thing. At my first House meeting, I was voted to be president of the House. I got my first taste of the democratic process and really enjoyed the dynamic of how it all worked. I was hungry to learn all that I could.

After the first two weeks, the outreach worker who was also residing in the same house took me to another Oxford House to attend their House meeting. It was a great experience, especially seeing firsthand how other Houses operated under the same model. Two weeks after that House meeting, I attended my first chapter meeting. This was a learning experience in itself because I was unaware that Oxford House had operated on different levels. I was nominated as the Male Housing Services Chair for Chapter 1 and was voted in unanimously. I had no idea what I was getting myself into at this point but I had to strive to keep learning and this was the point where I learned to be of service to the best of my ability.

Arizona was a new state to Oxford House, and Houses were being opened left and right. I assisted in numerous house trainings, as well as well as in the interview process for new members. Right when Houses starting booming, COVID hit. Everything was restricted but my motivation didn't stop. Even though having meetings and trainings via Zoom was a challenge, I never missed one and continued to offer my hand for support. I was really bummed out that the World Convention was postponed due to COVID. But I knew that there would be another opportunity.

While residing in Oxford House I learned how to live with integrity, how to be self-sufficient, and how to be of service. With these tools under my belt, I was able to accomplish personal goals I had set for myself. I was able to get my driver’s license back, as well as get a new car. I learned how to budget money and separate the needs from the wants. I was able to rekindle family relationships and other personal relationships. One of the most important things I learned, was how to hold myself and other people accountable. I had no idea what accountability was until moving into an Oxford House. This was very beneficial for me. In July of 2021, Arizona had started the State Association. I jumped at the first opportunity of service and was voted in as the Chapter Services Chair. I was able to see how other chapters operate and witnessed several types of unity.

In September of 2021, I attended my first World Convention! It was Amazing! Such an experience in itself! I met so many people from so many different areas and the whole experience filled my heart with so much joy. I couldn't wait to share the knowledge and experience with fellow members back home. During the convention, I was strongly encouraged LAST MINUTE to run for Oxford House World Council. In my head I was freaking out but I figured, why not? I think the part that got me most was standing in front of almost 1800 Oxford House members from all over the country and seeking to qualify myself for a position I knew nothing about. Once I learned that I had been voted into a Resident voting member position for the World Council, I was like “Damn, that's crazy!“. While serving on the World Council, I learned so many different things including about different committees and the history and purpose of the World Council. I got to meet and know other World Council members.

I moved out of Oxford House in April of 2022 in good standing. I'm an active alumnus for Chapter 1 as well as the Central Arizona Alumni Association. Without Oxford House, I wouldn't have the great life I have today. I am forever grateful for Oxford House and the lives it saves daily.

My name is Jessica Parks. I'm going on 3 years sober. I started my recovery process in 2020. I was completely lost. I lost my beautiful children and went on a bad run for a good month. I realized in July that I needed help and couldn't do it alone. I checked myself into rehab at Granite Mountain. I had a lot of up and downs fighting to find my house and fighting to get my kids back.

I graduated in 2020 and moved into Oxford House, which has helped me with being held accountable and holding others accountable. Oxford also helped me get my two beautiful children back into my custody. I left Oxford after I got full custody and bounced around for awhile until I realized I was slipping back into my addiction ways. I applied again to Oxford was accepted back. Once again, Oxford welcomed me with open arms. I absolutely love Oxford and everything they have done for me. The women empower each other and it's just hands-down the best sober living!

I'm still sober!

“My name is Adriana. I was raised in a small town called Picacho AZ. From an early age, I remember going to the bars with my dad and, anytime my dad would get into fight, the bartender would take me behind the bar so I wouldn’t have to see the fight. I have seen prostitution, black- outs and a lot of fights between my parents and lot of cops as well. We moved to California when I was 8 to start a new life and I remember my dad stopped drinking to be the best dad he could be. I started to get into trouble in high school – shoplifting, buying alcohol and just being a disrespectful teenager. We moved back to Arizona when I was 16.

When my dad passed away when I was 17, I lost so much of myself because my dad was my best friend and my favorite person on the planet. I started to drink occasionally around my family; then I started hiding my drinking. I left home after graduating from high school. Then I started to do more than drinking and smoking weed; I got into cocaine and had a complete breakdown and attempted suicide. That’s when I moved to Prescott, Arizona, in 2018. I lived with my aunt but I made the decision to live out in my car and I started back up in drugs. Then in 2019 I got pulled overall at Sonic and got arrested for having marijuana in my possession.

In 2020 I started to learn more about recovery when probation said I had to go to treatment. Then I got kicked out because I broke the rules and I threw a fit and they called the police and Officer Mendez told me that if he got another call about me, he would personally arrest me and drop me off at jail. I was living on the streets, always in some type of a situation where I couldn’t defend myself. I finally went back to the same treatment facility and graduated this time but, within 24 hours, I relapsed and probation found me and told me to go to sober living. That sober living help plant the seed of recovery in my head. Once I got off of probation, I decided to leave that sober living house and went back out to use again.

It had gotten out of hand, to the point that I don’t remember how I got from one town to the other town. I asked a friend who was a member of Oxford House how to apply and do the interview process. She helped me out a lot. I got accepted to Oxford house Yavapai and was a member of that house for over a year. I grew in my knowledge from that house, I became part of my chapter as female HSC. I planned an Easter egg hunt, and a very awesome summer bash. I started to notice my mental health was becoming an issues because, in my first house, another member and I tried our best to uphold the Oxford model to the new members but it was so hard when the other members were there for the wrong reasons. I noticed that I went from being a seasonal member to a senior member and having to tell the other members if you vote to keep someone who just will just relapse in the house I will have to let chapter know. I did my very best to try to keep the house afloat by doing all the positions getting all the books ready so we can have at least an hour-long house meeting and not a two hour one. In January, chapter came to the house and flipped the house. I wasn’t reaccepted back into the house, I was so mad at everyone who was part of that house flip.

The next day the outreach worker came over and talked to me and told me I should reapply at her house at the time – Oxford House Iron Springs. I got an interview, oh my goodness, that interview was rough and I learned more what was happening at my old house and I had no idea what had been going on. So, I couldn’t answer all the questions. But I did get accepted into Iron Springs. Oh my goodness! I was moving into a different house and just learning how to be an Oxford member again. It made me fall in love with Oxford all over again and I remembered why I wanted to be involved in the first place. I’m very grateful for my second chance with Oxford and the amazing outreach worker who didn’t give up on me. Now I work an honest program with my sponsor and I am there for my chapter when needed and I am helping the new females who move into the house. Sincerely Adriana ”

I got to Oxford House Enigma on Feb 1st after doing 3 months in county and 28 days in an inpatient treatment program in Holbrook. I lost contact with my mom 2 weeks before getting to Oxford and, with the help of Oxford, I found my mom in a shelter and got her into an Oxford House for women. I'm also still going to court looking at a 180 day sentence but I've gotten a couple character letters from the chapter officers and I might not have to go back to jail at all. Making it mandatory to be working a program Oxford has also introduced me to NA and amazing testimonies from which to learn and grow. My life has been easier to live soberly just from being an Oxford House. From other members giving me rides to work and meetings because I do not have transportation in my own, to chapter officers giving me a chance to participate, words cannot express how grateful I am to have Oxford in my life and a part of my recovery.

My name is Kelsey. I am 28 years old and I am an addict. I used to drink a lot and it made me make irrational decisions. I was in a good relationship with a good dude. He had a lot of learning to do though. I felt like I wasn't enough and left him. I ended up moving back in with my mother and I drank every day. I was on Facebook dating and found this guy who would end up being my downfall. The first day we met was one of the most fun days I has had in a while. Eventually, I was staying out late or not coming home at night. It worried my mom so she set a curfew which I broke. I ended up being kicked out and I had no place to stay. My mother said I could go live with my father and my brother. My father is a addict and my brother also became one. I thought my brother was clean though. I didn't think much of it at the time but I could hear them hitting the foil in my brother’s room.

Eventually I found an apartment that I could afford and I asked the guy I was seeing to move in with me. It started off in a way that I thought at the time was normal. I was in love. We drank every day. He drank even more than me and I thought he was an alcoholic, not me. Eventually, he started letting homeless people stay at our apartment. He said it was to help them out and give them a place to shower. I had no idea what would happen. One day I came home from work and he showed me that one of his friends had given him a Crystal Meth rock. I was pissed. I wanted it out of my house. I felt like it offended me because that was my dad’s drug of choice and I would never do that. Well, probably no more than a couple of weeks later, I was super depressed. It turns out I was in an unstable relationship with a narcissist. He was mentally and emotionally abusive. So, one night we were hanging out in his friend’s car and they were smoking something on a foil. I was so depressed as I had undiagnosed bipolar disorder. So, I convinced them to let me smoke it. It was the worst mistake I had ever made. After just one hit I instantly was addicted. I spend all my paycheck on fentanyl. I had just enough to pay my rent and then buy fentanyl. But that was it. I never had any money for food. I would try my best to hide it at work.

Eventually I started doing the thing I never thought I would do. I would be dope sick so I started smoking meth. In my sick addicted brain, I thought It would help me to not be sick. But it made it worse. Then, not long after starting my addiction, my mom stopped by my house and gave me earth-shattering news. My brother had been high behind the wheel and crashed into a pole. He died instantly. My heart shattered into a million pieces. I used fentanyl even more now to stop the pain. Eventually, with all the traffic of homeless people staying at my apartment, they threatened to evict me. Multiple times. It took my not paying rent for them to finally evict me.

I started living on the streets. I was friends with boosters. So. it wasn't long until I started stealing as well. I stole our huge 5-person tent so we had a place to live. We moved by my apartment. I remember the guy I was seeing would always leave all night and sometimes for days and wouldn't come back for a long time. I would suffer in the tent and be sick detoxing waiting for him to come save me. Our relationship was really suffering once we started using together. I was living in this twisted fantasy that he was my prince charming and he would always support me. He couldn't even support himself. One night we had a fight and I walked out into traffic. I waited there for a car to come and hit me. But my higher power was watching over me and gave me the will to move. The next day, the guy I was seeing and I had the biggest fight ever. I was sick of it all. The homeless people had trashed my apartment with tagging. The guy I was seeing would break windows all the time. It had turned into a total trap house. I had lost my job by then because I would be sleeping at work. I had two good jobs as a bookkeeper but I couldn't stop using. I remember him telling me about this rehab he went to. I called my mom when I finally had enough and asked her to pick me up and take me there. She was so happy.

She picked me up right away. I looked awful, sick, and defeated. So, then I checked into Arizona Rehab Campus. It didn't last long. I missed my boyfriend. I still had this weird fantasy that he was out cheating on me and. if I didn't go find him. he wouldn't stay with me. So I left and went to go find him. He was mad that I left. The first thing I did was smoke. It took me 6 entire days until we had a huge fight and I realized this isn't a life worth living. He will not get clean for me. I need to do this for myself. Do I want to die out here and have my mother lose another child?

I decided to hop on the city bus with a bag full of my clothes and went back to the Arizona Rehab Campus. This time I stayed. I completed a 30-day program and my life was changing. I was making female friends which was something about which I always had challenges. I was learning about addiction and the brain. I was finally starting to recover. I knew 30 days wasn't enough so I went to the IOP program across the street. That is when I met a member of Oxford house. She was a BHT there. My plans were to move back with my Mom. But I knew where that would have landed me. Back to drinking. Back to the dating sites. Back to my ex-boyfriend. Then out using again.

I needed to find a stable living situation. We decided that I needed to move into the Oxford house. So I applied and waited. I had the interview and was accepted. But I still had to wait. One day I noticed the one I wanted to get into had a vacancy. So I called them that day and they said that I could move in that week. It absolutely changed my life forever. It was the best decision I have ever made. I have gained control of my life back with Oxford House.

About a month after moving in, they made me house president. Boy, that position helped me grow. I had to go to the Chapter meetings. But I loved it. So, I expressed my love for it and was nominated Chapter 12 Comptroller. I accepted. Finding a recovery home where there are expectations of you and accountability is strong has been such a great asset to my recovery. Our house requires you to go to 3 meetings a week when you are a newcomer. Having that requirement has made me have a program that I work constantly. In my house, the girls are not just roommates. We all have become a family. At first, I was nervous but even the girls have noticed how much I have grown. I kicked the guy to the curb. Even after he got sober, it was still toxic. And although I should have stayed single, I reconnected with my original boyfriend who continued to love me the same. He had grown since our time apart. Got a promotion at work. Bought a car. But he was still there and forgave me for everything I put his heart through. He is the kindest person I have ever met and he supports me in my recovery. Without the Oxford House I would probably have moved back out on the streets and died. I am truly grateful for this place. My higher power made everything work out so I could get involved in Oxford. Now I'm learning a new house position and I will grow some more.

On Monday May 29th, I will have been clean from drugs and alcohol for an entire year. I could not have done this without the Oxford House or without other addicts who have gone through the same thing that I have. We support each other. The life I have today is so amazing. I have my passions back. I have my will to live. I know in my heart that my big brother is so proud of me. I will continue to make him proud. He lives on in my heart. My name is Kelsey I am an addict and I have 11 months and 25 days clean today.

Oxford drastically changed my life once I started getting more involved and being of service for others. I love it. I never thought I would be involved in a community like Oxford. They are very welcoming and have been treating me like family since I came into an Oxford House. I'm currently the HSC Rep for Chapter 7 and it's been a wonderful experience doing it. I'm grateful and blessed for the opportunity to live and be a part of Oxford.

I was an alcoholic and drug addict who was sleeping on family floors and couches. I had 60 days at Harbor Life Recovery Center and, when I left Harbor Life, I walked into Oxford House to stay clean and sober and live with others. They all want to do the same and not pick up and use. I’ve learned a lot and have served in different offices in the house.

OH Cordon was my very first Oxford House. I will be forever grateful for that house! In that house, I started my journey on how to be a human being again. I bucked like most of us do, I broke rules and inevitably relapsed. I moved out of that house to a new one where I felt at home with like a legit family, I tried to get involved and learn a little bit more about Oxford house itself rather then just focusing on myself.

The houses and my program built me up strong enough to go home and pay for the mistakes of my past and stay sober through it, with sooooo much support from the people I met in these houses (my family)! I was eventually capable of being asked to move to a house that was struggling and restart it and help to make it a safe home to the next struggling woman who just needed a little help and structure to move forward in her life.

I couldn’t take care of myself when I first moved into these houses; I didn’t know how to be a person who cleaned up after herself, paid bills, did chores and listened to people!! I can do that today (though I’m still working on listening to people🤣) but I truly don’t believe I would be where I am today with over four years clean, productive member of society, willing to help ANYONE who asks or even be a person people actually call to ask for help (because that was never a thing before). I don’t know!

Oxford House saved my life and taught me how to live, I am and will forever be grateful for Oxford House Delaware!!

“I was an addict – a hard-core addict for whom when I got high, all else would go out the window. I was born in Boston to a well-off family. I had everything I ever wanted growing up. I was an excellent athlete and had scholarships. My mother died when I was 4 and I grew up with my dad and maids who lived with us. I started smoking weed and drinking at a young age. I I drank and smoked alcoholically from Day 1. We hung out and drank and smoked; I never wanted the party to end and I would continue on when everyone else stopped. I continued drinking alcoholically through my teens and 20s, doing coke here and there, but smoking continuously. I got married and continued to drink and smoke.

I was in a motorcycle accident that nearly claimed my life and, when I started taking pain pills, my disease took over. My pill-taking caused a divorce then I continued taking pills more and more. I went to prison the 1st time over my addiction for stealing and selling; I got out and went right back to it. I gave up on life. My friend Introduced me to speedball and that was it. I smoked and shot up to the point where I was homeless and hiding from my family. I used day in and day out and being homeless was nothing. I went to prison again for burglary I didn't care. I was one of the worst addicts that people had ever seen. I hid from my kids and family. I was homeless; getting high 24/7 and robbing every night to pay for my addiction. I was out of prison for a month and a half when I was picked up on armed burglary charges. I didn't care. I tried getting sober one time in 2019 but didn't give it my all and inevitably relapsed after being arrested about 5 more times. The judge offered me drug court and I was ready. I was beaten and tired. I went in and gave it my all this time. I was able to build a strong program and support system and I've been sober ever since. I had been through hell in my addiction from people dying with me being and being stabbed and everything.

Now I am putting my life back together I have a relationship with friends and family and, most importantly, my children. Oxford House has been a great part of my recovery ”

From the moment that my outreach worker at the time, Tyler Sykes, came to pick me up and said, “You can keep doing what you was doing and continue to be the person you are or you can try doing things the way we do things in Oxford.” He guaranteed me that I would live a life I couldn't even imagine because it would be so filled of love and opportunity. Well, I liked what he had to say so, when he dropped me off, I had three job interviews on the spot that same day and I continue to keep driving to be a part of this amazing family that I never thought I could have. The laughter, fun and relationships that I have made while I have lived in an Oxford House proves that my outreach working was right. I couldn't even imagine that I could be so loved, motivated and driven to do better – not only for myself but to help the next person and make them feel as important as he made me feel that day.

Thank you. Tyler Sykes, and, most definitely, thank you, Oxford House!

Well, my story is a long one and it's been a lifetime of trauma and drugs to mask it. I've been incarcerated so many times. … I used drugs inside and out; I've dealt drugs inside and out. I thought it was how I had to live due to the way I had had to raise myself. But, in November 2021, I went back to where I thought I belonged but not before I overdosed and ran from law enforcement. I knew then I needed a better way of living. I have kids and I didn't want them to see me like that so I got myself into treatment while I was in jail. I was placed on probation and given the opportunity to fix my life. I completed White Sands and moved on to the next step for iop because I knew I needed more help before I went out there. So, I spent 7 months there, then found a family called Oxford and there I found the feeling of being a part of something and a family of unconditional love. I got involved in this family and, progressively, I got better in life. There are so many brothers and sisters all over that have your back in Oxford House. I so wish I would've found it sooner but God has a plan and times it right so now I am in a great part in my life, thanks to Oxford House.

Hello. My name is Joy. This is my story. Growing up, I was very blessed with a very loving and supportive family who always told me I could do anything I set my mind to. Too bad I didn't believe this about myself. As a teenager, I started experimenting with drugs. I experienced a few different “traumas“ with men that would send me spiraling into addiction. By the time I was 25, I had been arrested for multiple DUI's and drug possessions. I went into treatment and stayed in recovery for about three years. In this time, I was working, going to school to become a professional artist, given birth to a beautiful baby boy, married the most respectful and kind man, and had a house and a car. This would not last long. I had major scoliosis. I was told I would have to undergo major back surgery. I ended up getting rods placed from my neck all the way down to my lower back. I ended up getting prescribed pain medication and got addicted yet again.

One day someone brought meth to my house. I never took pain pills again but I was completely in another world addicted to meth. My love for the drug surpassed my love for anything or anyone else. I left my husband, lost the house and the car, and my son went to stay with my parents. I moved to Pensacola, Florida, with a man who was abusive in multiple ways. We lived in tents, sheds, and garages for many years. The fear and loneliness and defeat that I experienced was all-consuming and I didn't see a way out. At one point we even lived in a tree on a wooden pallet up in the tree with the tent sitting on top of it. This was to keep the tent from flooding, considering we lived in a swamp far in the woods. I was not in good physical health due to my back and the drug use. I only left the woods a handful of times. I remember he would sometimes put the makeshift stairs down when he would leave and I felt trapped. The crazy thing is that I probably would not have left anyway. I had become totally dependent on him. Finally, one day I screamed to my higher power, “Do what you have to do just get me out of here“. That same night he got arrested. Two people that knew I was out there saw his arrest on jail view and came to the woods and brought me to their house. He got out of jail and I went back to him. This was a continuous cycle that was centered around the fact that he made drugs and I was addicted to the drugs he made. I finally got away from him and did not go back. I was living by myself in a ladies shed. One day, he returned. I was very strong against him and resented him very much. He totally disgusted me. He told me I was going to have sex with him and I told him that I definitely would not. He held me down and raped me. This day, ironically, would save my life. I just didn't know it yet. Months later, I discovered I was pregnant. I was still in active addiction and lost my baby to foster care. I started working a case plan to get him back and was living in a domestic violence shelter. I had to leave the shelter because I was considered “safe“. I interviewed for a place called “Oxford House“.

The ladies accepted me and came to get me from the shelter right then! When I got to my new home, they had a dinner ready and all of the women sat around the table together and I knew right then that I was in the right place. These women surrounded me with love that I had not felt in so long. I got my relationship back with my parents, sister, and older son. I completed my case plan and before my baby was one, he also became a resident of Oxford House Tabicat.

I could not even hold my head up when I moved to Oxford House. Now, over two years later, I am still living at Oxford House. My parents and family are so grateful. They had me as a missing person and now we have a better relationship than we have ever had. Their prayers were answered. I feel like that experience happened to humble me and make me grateful for the little things. I can relate to many people and have no room to judge anyone because I have done it all. I am in a place, now, where I am able to give back what was so freely given to me. I want to continue to live in Oxford House for a while and possibly even work for Oxford House one day. I love being involved in our chapter meetings and now our state meetings. It is a surreal experience for someone who used to live in a tree all alone. Now I am so blessed with many true friends on the same path. Thank you, Oxford House, for helping me to hold my head up, hold me accountable to my recovery, and to have my family and children back. One of the first words my two-year-old said was “Aye“ at a House meeting.

When I found about Oxford House, I chose to move from a friend's house out of a bad situation. I thank God for Oxford House every day. I have grown more in my 7 months here than in my life time. It has saved my life and gives me strength every day.

First off, I've been an addict for around 6 years. Before that I worked for UPS, and a few other well-known companies just as any other American. I had the good job, the beautiful family and even the white picket fence. I had, at one time, my own business and I thought life couldn't ever change. Then some life-changing events happened and I met drugs and alcohol and within a short period, Meth, cocaine and jail. Without really counting, let’s say I was in and out of jail 15 times. It was always small stuff but it eventually led to worse and deeper drug and alcohol use. Each time it got harder and harder to recover and each time I would search and look for a way out. But, every time you go to jail, you start over; every time you go to jail, you lose everything; every time you go to jail, there's never a opportunity for recovery just more disappointment. I can't tell you how many times I looked for help while in jail, or even asked the staff if there was a place where, once I was out, that I could go I could seek help and be around people searching for the same goals – kind of like a ‘reunited to society’ program but, believe it or not, I always came up empty-handed and was always just dropped off at the corner to the mall here in Bay County and was told ‘good luck.’

This last time I had a very special person in whom I confided and she told me about Oxford House. I want to say that if it wasn't for my opportunity to be at the Oxford House and to have the group of men and the encouragement and the stability that I have in being able to have a place to call home, being able to do programs and classes for my recovery and to be able to seek employment and have a place that's affordable that I can grow in as I get myself ready for stepping back into the community, I would be probably sitting in jail – probably still on drugs and alcohol, going down the same path that I was before. Without dragging it out too much more, I want to thank Oxford House and I encourage any person that reads this – any congressman, any judge, any state attorney, any probation officers – to know that this program works! Nothing like this out there is 100%; there's always going to be a hiccup; there's always going to be the bad Apple; there's always going to be the ones who say “I told you so” but I'm going to tell you this; if I didn't have this program and Oxford House wasn't here I would probably still be the person like you see on the street; probably still the addict who’s not working a full-time job and the one who doesn't have the future that I have in front of me. My name is Troy Goodner and I was an addict. Thank you.

I'm originally from St. Louis Missouri I came to Florida in June of 2022 and spent some time at the Salvation Army. Oct of 2022 is when I finally came to Oxford House with a year of sobriety already, I had been white-knuckling my recovery. I was working a program but needed more. Oxford house has offered me the tools I needed to change my life in ways that I didn't know were even possible. Accountability and the life-long connections I have made since being here has taken my recovery down a path that I didn't expect. After just a few short months, I was elected Chapter chair, which has given me the opportunity to help others in their recovery while giving me a solid foundation along the way. In my personal recovery I have found that helping others is the key to my success. I attend 5-7 meeting per week along with my spiritual life through church. I am at a loss for words on the structure and guidance I have gotten from Oxford house. I take pride in my house and the people who live in it. I am forever grateful for Oxford and I am proud to say I will always be involved with this organization in one way or another.

Before I decided to reach out and get help. I was in really bad shape from being on a long meth binge. I was so gone that I thought my parents where trying to have something bad done to me. It was so bad I wouldn't even go outside no matter how bad I needed to go. I finally feel asleep that Friday on the 22nd of July and didn’t wake up until that Saturday night. I immediately thought mom and dad were trying to kill me. I instantly thought about burning my mom's house down because I was sick of feeling like the last second of my life could end at any time. I was so scared of what might happen that I called the police and told them I was going to hurt my mom and dad or they was going to hurt me. They took me in an ambulance to the hospital admitted me in psych unit from that Sunday until the 28 of July.

I knew if they released me to go back home, it would be just a matter of time and I would be going through the same stuff. They asked where would you like to go. So the outreach worker at the psychic unit made some phone calls and said you can go to in Navarre Florida to rehab. … As I went more and more through treatment, I decided that I couldn’t go back to Arkansas.

So I was talking to my counselor and I got information about sober living down here. Before I even knew I was being given a discharge date, I started getting phone numbers for the women's Oxford Houses here in Pensacola. I did the first interview and got accepted.

When the lady was going over everything, I thought it was some type of occult because it seemed too good to be true. I had a rough time at first trying to surrender to the rules and finally did. So, I got a job and started being involved in Oxford. What keeps me here is the service and the recovery community, learning how to be of service to others in Oxford and working slowly to get my life back. I went from being HSC treasurer to vice chair recently. Oxford, in the little bit of time I've been here, has allowed me to develop a passion for protecting it and helping people who want to change their lives. I don't know who to thank but I'm grateful to able to involved in this great place. I know my family is very grateful. If I never would have found this and given a chance to be here, I would have died out there.

“My name is Alexa Farris. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, at Good Samaritan Hospital on March 7, 1995. I am one of three siblings. My parents always took care of us and did whatever they could to keep us together. DCF was in and out all the time; my parents both were alcoholics. They eventually divorced and one afternoon when we were with my mom and her boyfriend and my brother, sister and I were jumping on the trampoline, we could hear them arguing inside and my mom came out crying. Her boyfriend lived in a three-story house out in the woods that was close to a cliff that was 35 ft tall and my mom, without hesitation, jumped off. All three of us were hysterical and immediately ran to the edge of the cliff and saw her holding on to a tree branch which soon snapped and we saw her fall into the shallow body of water beneath us. It just so happened to be the day that my dad came to come pick us up and he pulled up at just the right moment. He saw how upset we were and all we could do was point to where our mom was. Without hesitation, my dad immediately got on the 4-wheeler and drove down the trail to where my mom was while my mom’s boyfriend was just standing on the porch doing nothing at all. Soon after this, the ambulance showed up and took my mom away. We didn't know if she was okay or not. My dad took us home shortly after this happened and left us there while he went to the hospital. My sister was only 12 at the time and managed to keep me and my brother together and took care of us while no one was home . My mom ended up staying in the hospital for months and had a lot of reconstructive surgery on her leg, foot and back. She shouldn't have made it that night but I have always been thankful that she did. Soon after all this happened, my parents got back together and my dad took care of her. It didn't take long for my mom to become addicted to the pain medication she was on and all I could remember was never seeing her doing anything but lie in bed and eat her pain pills and drink.

In 2005 we moved to Holt, Florida on a farm and life was great I made a lot of new friends an became active in sports . Fast forwarding to 2014, when I was a senior in high school, I ran track and was on the weightlifting team. I met this guy when I was getting ready to leave from the weight meet we just had. He was there for open gym where past graduates could come and play basketball. Soon after, we began talking. He was 7 years older than me; I was 18 and he was 25. I didn't care about the age. I just thought at the time it was cool that an older guy liked me. I began sneaking out of the house, lying to my parents about what I was doing and skipping school. My parents didn't approve of the relationship but I didn't let what they thought stop me from seeing him . After I graduated from high school, I moved in with him.

On September 8, 2015, Blake and I had our first child. After he was born, my life started becoming full of chaos. Blake was gone all the time selling dope and he introduced me to cocaine. It didn't take long for me to become addicted to it. It got so bad that we were using all of what he should have been selling to people and I had to come up with the money to pay his dealer back every time because he would blame me for it being gone all the time. The using never stopped and our relationship got worse; he would beat me and lock me in the room if he felt like I was saying something wrong or not doing what he wanted me to do.

Fast forwarding to 2022: At this point, Blake and I has been together 8 years, still using and nothing's changed but having more children. We had a total of 5 now and I was pregnant with another. I was still holding my job at Taco Town where I been at for the past 7 years, I would go to work high and pregnant with bruises all over my body, thinking no one would notice or say anything. But, boy was I wrong! I had co-workers and customers asking me what was wrong with me and I would always lie to them an tell them I was fine . I stuck it out with Blake for so long because I wanted to keep our family together and I thought that maybe one day he would change and I honestly felt like I deserved to be treated the way I was. I never thought I was worth anything more then what I had.

On August 20th, my whole world was turned upside down. I had a miscarriage and dealt with it alone. I was at work and felt sick. I ended up getting off early so I took a shower like I always do after work. As I was taking a shower, all I could see was a pool of blood beneath me and I was in so much pain I ended up pulling my daughters lifeless body out of me her feet first and her head was stuck because she was breached. I began screaming and crying for help but no one would respond until Blake’s mother showed up. She immediately called 911 and got me out of the shower while I was still holding part of my daughter’s lifeless body. I tried so hard to get her out but nothing I did or the paramedics did would work and I could not fathom seeing my daughter's lifeless body between my legs, I just wanted everything to go away. Shortly after getting to the hospital and had surgery, I woke up and she was gone. The nurse came into my room asking me if I wanted to see her and I said ‘no.’ She came in two more times asking the same question when I told her ‘no’ again, she responded that: “If you don't see her before we take her to the morgue, you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life.” So I gave in. When I held her 5lb body, I couldn't do anything but cry I looked up at the ceiling and told God to take care of her and said I was sorry for being so selfish because I felt like her passing was my fault. However, the main reason why she passed was because she was breached and her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. It cut off her oxygen and she suffocated. After I prayed, I heard someone say to me, “Let her go. Everything is going to be ok.” I don't know if it was God or if it was just on my head but I listened. After I gave her back to the nurse, I felt so ashamed and couldn't help but blame her death on me and my addiction. I wanted to die in that hospital. Before I got released, I spoke with a case worker who was planning on coming to the house to take my other children and I immediately lost it, I told her I would do anything to keep them.

I called rehab centers all over the state of Florida and finally found one to take me in Florida Springs. I left the hospital and went to Panama City the next day. I was in rehab for a month and, after getting out I went to Bethel Village and stayed there for four months.

In January, 2023, I moved into the Oxford house that saved my life. I am around women who help me be a better person and hold me accountable for everything I do. I am thankful for the opportunity I have had living here, I am continuing to learn and grow in my life and strive to be a better person and mother every day. I'm staying strong in my recovery and do not let anything affect what I am doing now. I'm 9 months clean now and so proud of how far I have come in such a short period of time. I am not where I want to be yet but I am getting there.

Everyone has a story to tell and this is mine!

My name is Kortnie, and I am an addict although, up until recently, I couldn’t admit that to myself, let alone anyone else. I have struggled with addiction for the majority of my adult life. In 2003, I was diagnosed with a debilitating illness for which I was prescribed narcotic medications. The recovery process was a long and painful one but, over the course of months I began to get better. Unfortunately, my depression and anxiety began to spiral out of control as did my addiction and my life became unmanageable. I did have periods of sobriety, and in 2014 my incredible, beautiful son, JJ, was born. My miracle baby. As amazing as it was to be a mother, such a gift from God, I struggled with Postpartum Depression. I was also given opiates after giving birth and I relapsed shortly thereafter. I struggled in silence to get clean. My son’s father and I had been together for nearly 20 years at that point and, although we loved each other very much, our relationship had started to become very toxic. JJ always had everything he could need or want as he grew up, but looking back now, he didn’t have the one thing he needed the most; a sober mother.

On 8/30/20, DCF made the decision to remove JJ from our care and put him into foster care. Although that should’ve been enough to keep me clean, it simply wasn’t. I went even deeper into my addiction. On 10/29/2021 I entered treatment and I never looked back. I went in broken, lost and desperate. Most of all though, I was sick and tired of living the way I had been living. I couldn’t do it anymore. I left everything behind including JJs father and the life we had built together. He vowed to get clean while I was in treatment but he really struggled. Ultimately, he lost his life to this disease but his memory will live on forever in the hearts of those who loved him the most.

I was in treatment for 11 months and, during my time there, I discovered Oxford House for Women and Children. I knew that would be the key to my continued sobriety and reunification with my son. I became a resident. On 4/12/2023, I was reunified with JJ in court for good, after two and half years. I never gave up, and never stopped fighting for him or for me, because he’s worth it and so am I. Oxford House gave me the chance to mend our relationship. We’re now able to build a life together, surrounded by a support system filled with amazing people in and out of recovery. I wake up today with a grateful heart because of how far I’ve come, and I look forward to each day not with fear, but with hope. Thank you, Oxford House, for all that you do.

Throughout my years in active addiction, open DCFS cases and in and out of treatment facilities, I exhausted every option with any hope or reality of life as I once I knew it. I could either choose to take myself & my son back into the environment he was taken out of by the courts or I could choose to buckle down and make a choice to let Oxford give me a new life, a life worth living not just surviving. With the gift of desperation, I re-entered an Oxford Mommy & Me House. I have been able to overcome so many things while living in Oxford House. Success can look so different and it comes in many different forms. I was able to gain full custody of my son, return to school, work a job within the recovery field, establish healthy relationships and have so many other countless blessings. While working on my own personal recovery, I have been given the opportunity to do service work within the community and even in my own House and others within my Chapter. I am able to share my experiences, good and bad, with my Oxford sisters who have moved into the house during my tenure here. I have no doubt in my heart or mind, Oxford saved me. Oxford gave my son his mom back.

“My name is Raye Kekona, and I'm a recovering addict. Today I have 2 years, 1 month, and 23 days clean. What started my journey to an Oxford women's house, I was incarcerated at for drug offenses with a 10-year sentence. After completing my minimum sentence, I was given an opportunity to go to Poailani residential drug treatment. I successfully completed and graduated from the program. I arrived at Oxford house in Ewa Beach. I was able to get employment a week into my stay here. I also went to NA meetings and started building my foundation here in this Oxford House. The structure of this house helped me to build a stable foundation for my recovery. This house has helped me to live in society and be productive in my recovery. Within 8 months, I had two jobs and was able to buy [myself] a brand-new car.

Oxford has provided a safe and structured environment for me. Today I have a bank account and a savings. It's because of Oxford that I'm able to reunite with my family and children. I have gained a lot living here and being part of this program. Today I am the house president of the women's house of Makalea St. I'm very proud of all the goals I have achieved being here. I would like to thank Oxford for giving me a chance to rebuild my life. Thank you for the support from the women in my house, Jeremy and Nalu. Thank you for the memories that I have to take with me as I start my new journey [of] reuniting with my children and family on the Big Island. The tools that I've learned from Oxford I will use in my life today. Recovery is a lifelong program. ”Mahalo!”

“Oxford house has truly given me a life worth living. It’s shown me what healthy relationships can look like. It’s taught me responsibility and accountability by being a safe place for me to make a mistake or two and most importantly learn from them. I’ve had people that I couldn’t stand in the beginning become my closest advisors and friends. People I never would have associated with become brothers. It has shown me what to strive for in life.

It’s been the crazy dysfunctional family that I have always wanted my whole life but without any of the dangers that come along with that. Taking new guys under my wing and teaching them the principles we live by and watching them hold me accountable with those same principles brings joy in my life. From the 5 deep pre-meeting drives to the loud and obnoxious house meetings that last three hours, I know every guy is trying their hardest to recover is someone I can trust with my life. Watching men pull themselves out of the gutter on their own accord and learn to live a new life inspires me to constantly do better in my own!

All that being said, there have been bad days, too. Watching beloved members relapse is hard. Having one of my guys completely disappear off the face of the world was even more difficult. The blessing is that I learned I could stay clean through it and that I wasn’t the only one hurting from it. I was always told and tell everyone who comes through that just because someone leaves, it does not mean you have to stop loving them, you just have to love them from a new address. Sometimes that address is another house.

Overall Oxford House is a blessing I never deserved. Everything I have been through in life told me I am not someone who lives well with others but now I couldn’t imagine living another way.