My name is Edward Calle and I am writing regarding my concern about the possible upcoming changes to Oxford Homes in Virginia.

I have been an active member of Oxford Home Neptune since January 4, 2026 and currently hold the responsability as house Treasurer. After 35 years of battling addiction, losing my marraige, my careers, my homes and my business I was finally at a point of giving into my addiction and letting it be the reason to take my life. I felt as though I was out of options after dozens of detoxes in psychiatric facilities, hospitalizations, jails and even facing death on 3 seperate occasions. I decided on Christams of 2025 to give sobriety one last chance as I was literally dying, homeless, jobless, penniless and emotionally and mentally bankrupt. While in my stay at the Virginia Beach Psychiatric Hospital, my wife was looking for options of where I could go upon leaving the detox. She found out about Oxford Homes and decided to sign me up to move into one upon leaving the facility. that is where she found availability at Oxford House Neptune in Virginia Beach, Chapter 2.

After a very thorough interview process, I was accepted and immedietly moved in on January 4, 2026. It was from that day forward that my life changed forever! I came out of the hospital trembling, scared, anxious, still dealing with Post Acute Withdrawl symptoms. I could not look at anyone in their eyes due to being so terrified because for decades I had numbed my ailments with drugs and alcohol. I was terrified to leave the home. I couldnt speak to anyone. Immedietly I was taken in with loving arms. The members were patient with me and slowly talked with me and told me to slowly get myself out of the house and start going to meetings, find a sponsor, work steps and do everything that aids in the recovery process. Within a 9 month period of residing here I made it from solely doing Zoom Narcotics Anonymous meetings, to getting to in person meetings, talking with other addicts, getting a sponsor and doing all the suggested things in recovery. 

fast forward to today, I am 4 days away from complete abstinence from all drugs and alcohol, I hold the position as house Treasurer, I have a homegroup that has over 50 attendees, I have been given a key to open the church to setup and chair the meeting, I have a s;onsor, I have a gentlemen who has asked me to be a temporary sponsor, I have anew career where for ONCE I can use my Bachelors degree in with a financial company, My broken marraige is being rekindled, I only take 2 mediactions versus the 10+ that I took for many years, I was a guest speaker at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. I have a life today I had never dreamed of!!!

Because of Oxford House Neptune, I have learned so much and learned to value life. Being treasurer Has taught me how to manage a checking account and for once in my life manage my own money. It was taught me accountability, keeping a clean and stable and sober household. Because we are democratically run, It has taught me how to work with others in making important decisions, It has created limelong friendships that I never even dreamed of, It has offerred me everythinga nd more that has made this journey in recovery, one that I value and cherish with every ounce of my being. In total, it has made me a better man!!!

Oxford Homes give people a second chance at life literally, as well as teaching you how to maintain sobriety all while becoming an active member of society. Without Oxford, I can almost gaurantee that I would not be alive today, and if I was I would be homeless and slowly committing suicide through active addiction or furthermore, having taken my own life!!!

Oxford Homes NEED TO REMAIN AS OXFORD HOMES. They were established with these exact purposes, and being democratically self run is the biggest key factor in all of this. It has statiscal evidence proving that it brings great recovery. I have been in facilities taht were governed by employees and the state and all it did was make me miserable and want to continue using.

I hope that this deeply taken into consideration and not taken lightly!

Sincerely,Ed Calle

757-323-9364