Friends of Recovery

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The mission of Friends of Recovery Association is to support and collaborate with Oxford Houses in Kansas, which are self-supporting, democratically-operated homes for recovering individuals. Friends of Recovery and Oxford House will assist these individuals to attain and sustain recovery from substance addiction.

Substance abuse affects every socio-economic class. It does not discriminate. It devastates families and communities. Breaking the pattern of addiction is not easy, but it is possible. Recovery is possible, but is a lifelong process. Oxford Houses are an integral part of this process. They provide the time needed for recovery, and the safe, supportive environment essential to maintain sobriety. Friends of Recovery is the advocacy agency that helps support the Oxford House program in Kansas. We are one of two organizations in the country whose sole function is the support and perpetuation of Oxford houses. We began in 1991 as the vision of Harold and Ruth Keeling, a retired couple from Prairie Village, Kansas. This extraordinary couple heard about the Oxford House model from its founder Paul Molloy in Washington D.C., and wanted to bring this wonderful model to the heartland. They immediately opened 11 houses, and Friends of Recovery was formed as the 501(c)3 organization to help support the new houses. We are still in operation today, with over 50 houses across the state. Men and women benefit from Oxford Houses in Kansas, with two of the newest houses being a men’s house in Lansing and Leavenworth, primarily comprised of those who have served our country and the Ridge House in Olathe.

While we are not a part of Oxford House Inc. or Oxford House World Services, it is the mission of FORA to ensure sober living opportunities for Kansans. FORA has no supervisory jurisdiction over or within an Oxford House, but rather acts in an advisory role, providing case management to the Oxford Houses as requested. FORA fully respects and supports the autonomy and independent nature of Oxford Houses. These are homes, democratically run by the men and women living there.