As a mother, I have seen firsthand what Oxford House can mean to someone working hard to rebuild their life. When someone you love is in recovery, you want more than anything for them to have a safe place where they are supported, but also encouraged to become responsible and independent again.

One of the things I value most about Oxford House is that it is self-governing. The residents run their home together. They hold each other accountable, make decisions together, and support one another because they understand the struggles of recovery in a way that many of us simply cannot. That peer support is what makes Oxford House different.

As a parent, I cannot always be there to protect my son or make decisions for him—and I know that ultimately, recovery has to be his. Oxford House gives him the opportunity to take responsibility for his own life while living among people who are working toward the same goal. It gives him independence without leaving him completely alone.

For families like mine, Oxford House represents hope. It gives our loved ones a chance to rebuild their lives, regain their confidence, and move forward one day at a time. I sincerely hope Virginia continues to protect the self-governing Oxford House model so that other people in recovery—and the families who love them—can continue to have that opportunity. Thank you for your consideration.