I am writing to express my strongest support for Oxford House recovery homes and to advocate for their continued presence and expansion across the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the family member of an individual in recovery, I have witnessed firsthand how this program saves lives, restores families, and builds stronger communities.

When my family member entered recovery, we desperately needed a solution that offered more than a temporary fix. Oxford House provided exactly that. By offering a stable living environment, it gave him the time and space needed to build continuous, long-term sobriety.

What makes the Oxford House model profoundly effective is its unique blueprint of self-governance and cooperative living. The houses are completely democratically run and financially self-supported by the residents themselves. In this structured environment, my family member learned crucial life skills, financial responsibility, and accountability. Because there is no professional staff, residents must show up for themselves and one another, voting on house rules and ensuring a drug- and alcohol-free environment. This shared autonomy instills a deep sense of dignity and self-efficacy that traditional institutional settings often fail to replicate. Again, this is all done without having a staff. 

The residents of my family member’s Oxford House have become like family to me. Seeing their resilience has fundamentally transformed my own life, prompting me to become an active advocate in the recovery space and learn new ways to give back.

Oxford Houses are not just residential properties; they are essential pillars of re-entry that empower individuals to reassert themselves as responsible, contributing members of society. I urge you to continue protecting, supporting, and keeping the doors of Virginia’s Oxford Houses open. They are an irreplaceable lifeline for individuals in recovery and the families who love them.