agency Overview

 

LOCATIONS

                                                           

ADDRESSES

6422 Santa Fe Dr.

Overland Park, KS  66202

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church

 

150 N Main Suite 500

Wichita, KS  67202

 

PHONE: 

(913) 722-0367 (Overland Park)

(316) 618-0290 (Wichita)

 

FAX:

(913) 722-6325

 

EMAIL:

kittythomas04@hotmail.com

 

 

WEB:

www.friendsofrecovery.com

 

Mission Statement 

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 Houses will assist these individuals to attain and sustain recovery from substance addiction.

 

History

Friends of Recovery Association (FORA) grew from the efforts of a local task force at the Asbury United Methodist Church. A retired couple, Harold and Ruth Keeling, spearheaded the work to research how their group could make a difference in the local recovering community. In 1991, FORA was created to bring the Oxford House model that has been so successful around the country to Kansas.

Milestones

1989    Asbury UMC forms a drug task committee

 

1991    Ed Stevenson visits with Paul Malloy, founder of Oxford House Inc., in Washington D.C.

 

1991    Asbury UMC collaborates with the Overland Park Christian Church to collect donated household items and open the first Oxford House – Santa Fe - in Kansas

 

1992    Harold and Ruth Keeling provide leadership and help form Friends of Recovery Association (FORA) as a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit

 

1993    An Oxford House is established in Wichita

 

1999    Our founders, Ruth and Harold Keeling, were honored for their contributions to those in recovery at the first National Oxford House Convention in Washington D.C.

 

1999    Harold and Ruth Keeling retire from FORA.

 

1999    The FORA board of directors hires its first paid Executive Director

 

2000    FORA opens board membership to Oxford House representation

 

2002    FORA moves to the Mission Center Mall

 

2002    FORA expands support to offer for the first time a New Member Orientation, Open house, and Women’s Retreat.

 

2003    FORA and Kansas Oxford House State Board host first statewide conference for Oxford House members, treatment providers and community members in Wichita.  In attendance from Oxford Inc. were Paul Malloy, James McClain and Myrna Brown, who visited extensively with the Oliver Oxford House, Wichita’s only OH for women.

 

2003    Friends of Recovery gains a new director, former program coordinator Kathleen Thomas, who replaces George Turner.

 

2003    Friends of Recovery collaborates with Kansas State Oxford House Board to complete its “Roles and Responsibilities”, a document outlining roles of each organization.

 

2003    Myrna Brown, Oxford Inc., visits each women’s house in Kansas City and Lawrence and offers a workshop for women regarding communication and stabilization of women’s Oxford Houses. Two members of AAPS were present for the workshop, and Myrna visited with key male chapter leaders after the conference to address their questions regarding women’s house issues.

 

2004    United Methodist Health Ministry Fund finances the services of Carol Barbeito, a business consultant, to help Friends of Recovery develop an 18-month strategic plan and fundraising plan.

 

2004    New Oxford Houses open:  Green, Woodchuck and North Ash in Wichita, White in Prairie Village, Layton in Olathe, all men’s houses, and Willow Park and Roosevelt, women’s houses in Topeka.

 

2004    Kansas State Board of Oxford Houses and Friends of Recovery present the State Oxford House conference in Topeka. 

 

2004    Kauffman Foundation awards Friends of Recovery a $14,486 technology grant. 

 

2004    Friends of Recovery acquires two new grants:  City of Wichita (2005) and Ford County (2004).

 

2004    Friends of Recovery begins the process of writing an Americorps project for VISTA volunteers.

 

2005    Friends of Recovery is awarded three Americorps VISTA workers, who will begin assisting Oxford house chapters open new houses in Manhattan, Salina and Pittsburg.

 

2005    Kathleen Thomas, executive director for FORA, attends LeadersEdge classes, a series of workshops designed to educate and strengthen the infrastructure of the organization.

 

2005    New houses opened include Park, a new women with children’s house in Lawrence, South Main and Meadowlane, women’s houses in Wichita, Darnell, a women’s house in Lenexa, and Southwest, a men’s house in Lawrence.

 

2005    The first statewide recovery conference was held in Wichita in June.  Members of the recovery community, treatment providers and health care providers attended the event, which was given with the help of the Kansas State Board of Oxford Houses and Friends of Recovery.

 

2006    Friends of Recovery’s VISTA workers begin their year of service.  They are instrumental in opening the first women with children’s Oxford House on an Indian reservation.  This new house is named Turnbull.

 

2006    VISTA workers research and a new men’s house in Salina, called Phillips. 

 

2006    Friends of Recovery is awarded a new grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.  This award is for $20,000 and is renewable.

 

2006    Friends of Recovery gives $5,000 in scholarships for individuals who wish to attend the Oxford House World Conference in Wichita. 

 

2006    Friends of Recovery is awarded a supplemental grant from Sedgwick County of $3,000, as well as a grant from the Charitable Contributions fund from the Potawatomi Tribal Council of $2,500.

 

2007    New houses open in Wichita, Olathe, Lansing and Newton, bringing the number of Oxford Houses in the state of Kansas to 52.

 

2007    Friends of Recovery is awarded a grant from Sedgwick County of $68,000, which is an increase from previous grant of more than $55,000.  This grant provides a new case manager for Friends of Recovery, as well as $10,000 in scholarships to new Oxford House residents in Wichita. 

 

2007    Friends of Recovery is awarded a two-year grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.  This award is $40,000, for a period of 2007-2009.

 

2007    Friends of Recovery creates an Endowment Fund with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.  This Endowment Fund will be used as financial reserve for the organization.

 

2008    Sedgwick County grant is increased.  The first alumni workshop is given in Wichita.

 

2008    New houses included Quivira, Rita, Tree, Sunflower and Leo, bringing the Oxford House total in Kansas to 52. 

 

2008    New personnel added to Friends of Recovery included Katherine Paige, Doug Taylor and Leigh Anne Larson.

 

area of Service

Problem:

Alcohol and drug abuse have an enormous impact on American society.  The national Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimated the economic cost to society in 1992 at $246 billion.  NIDA reported more than 132,000 persons died as a consequence of alcohol and drug problems that year, at an estimated cost of $31.6 billion, representing the discounted value of lifetime earnings.  The underlying causes, according to NIDA include mental disorder (11.6%), cirrhosis (14.7%) and accident, suicide and assault (22.2%). 

 

Oxford houses are an important step in stopping this multi-billion dollar tax drain.  They increase the likelihood of individuals remaining drug and alcohol-free after they reintegrate into the community.  Individuals remaining in Oxford Houses for 15 months or longer have a phenomenal success rate - 80%! 

           

 

Client Population:

Primary:              Individuals in recovery from substance abuse

Secondary:                 Homelessness or the near homeless

 

 

Program Description:

Oxford Houses are NOT halfway houses. They provide a distinctly different and very successful option to the traditional support system. Oxford Houses are more than a transitional housing option, for many individuals Oxford Houses are HOME. The strength of this program is that it is simple and straightforward. Oxford Houses have only three rules: 1) No drinking or drugging, 2) Abide by the democratic process (i.e. everyone has one vote), and 3) Pay your way.

 

Oxford Houses are autonomous, self-run, democratic houses that do not have any professional staff. This allows for members to take on a role of leadership and responsibility that many may be experiencing for the first time within Oxford House. Members assuming the positions of house officers further demonstrate this active role. These positions rotate every 6-months, allowing for new members to reap a range of therapeutic benefits. Acting in the role of a peer mentor or as a leader has a direct and dramatic impact on improved self-esteem.

 

Members may stay as long as they like, typically one year. With the burden of time limits removed from above their lives, individuals may focus their energy toward their own personal journey in recovery as well as toward re-building their lives.

 

Oxford Houses are a missing link in the treatment protocol for alcoholism and drug addiction. An Oxford House provides the time, structure, and peer support necessary for a recovering individual to gain long-term sobriety.

 

 

Wichita Awards banquet 2009

 

FORA Services (Some include collaboration with State Board and chapter representatives):

 

♦    New Oxford House Development

·        Locate Property

·        Recruit & Educate Landlords

·        Revolving Loan Application

·        Solicit Neighborhood Support

·        Solicit Faith Community

 

♦    New Member Orientation

·        Familiarization with Oxford House

·        Teach officers roles & house paperwork

·        Introduction to FORA support services

 

♦   CommunitY Presentations 

    Oxford House Introduction to:

·        Faith Communities

·        Neighborhoods 

·        Treatment Centers

·        Businesses

 

♦  Case Management

·        Facilitate Meetings

·        Mentoring

·        Crisis intervention

·        Conflict Mediation

·        Landlord Negotiations

·        Advocacy

·        Community Liaison Work

 

♦   LIFE SKILL WORKSHOPS

·        “Art and Smart”

·        Money Management

 

♦   Community Phone Bank

·        Information & Resource Distribution

 

Oxford houses: What Are They?

Ridge open house summer 2009

Recovery

An Oxford House is a self-run and self-supported recovery house. The concept is the same as the one underlying AA or NA. Addicted individuals can help themselves by helping each other abstain from alcohol and drug use one day at a time.

 
Established in 1975

Oxford House was started in 1975 when Montgomery County, Maryland decided to close a traditional halfway house because of a lack of funds. The men (one of whom was Paul Molloy) living in the house at that time were not ready to leave. They followed the advice of a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and rented the same house themselves. It was decided to run it democratically, but with the pledge that any resident who returned to drinking or drugging would be voted out of the home.

 

What Makes It Work?

The men and women who make Oxford Houses their home—make it work! Unlike traditional halfway houses, there is no staff. Residents assume and learn responsibility for their recovery. Additionally, there are no time limits. This allows an individual to focus on establishing a new set of personal values that center around sobriety; it allows a person to reconnect with their family of origin; it allows a person to develop a solid work ethic and it allows a person to practice the skills of responsible family and community living with their new Oxford House family.

 

Keep It Simple      

Oxford House operates on three primary rules:                             

1.     No using

2.     Follow the democratic process

3.     Pay your own way

 

Success Story

DePaul University has studied Oxford Houses and report that they have an 80% success rate. Recovery from substance use/ abuse is not certain and relapse is often a part of the cycle toward recovery. Residents who relapse are expelled immediately. They may however, reapply after treatment.

Transition

By the time many persons addicted to alcohol or drugs get serious about recovery they have burned many bridges and have no place to live. Going “home” becomes either impossible or makes recovery risky. Oxford House can provide a transitional home between recovery and permanent housing. It can also provide a permanent home for those who decide that they prefer living in supportive group environment. It provides a self-help recovery environment that reinforces needed behavior over the long term.

 

Community Partnership

Friends of Recovery Association (FORA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 that helps Oxford Houses find good neighborhoods for individuals in recovery to live. Members are committed to becoming valuable additions to their communities. They focus on their sobriety and re-establishing solid relationships. Members often join local civic organizations, volunteer, and become a part of the local faith community —– Oxford House members strive to become responsible Good Neighbors!

 

Staff List

 


Kathleen Wright, LMSW Executive Director

Katherine Paige, Wichita office, Program Coordinator

Leigh Anne Larson, Overland Park office, Program Coordinator

Jeannie Young, Bookkeeper

Board List


President

Ben Leader

 

Members

Russell Brown

Kendal Carswell

Dave Fulton

Lester Gibson

Renee Jones

Larry Keller

Marcy Konkader

Carole Thrasher

Lorrie Trout

Jerry Vogt

 

Friends of Recovery Association

SUPPORT OVERVIEW

                       2008
Presentations:                                        Number of Presentations                    Participants Attending

  1. Treatment Ctr. Professionals                                              09                                                            404         
  2. Treatment Ctr. Clients                                                         02                                                              41
  3. Corrections                                                                           06                                                            453
  4. Other Social Service Agencies                                          18                                                            561
  5. Faith Community                                                                  01                                                            001
  6. Oxford House Residents                                                     22                                                            330                         

 

TOTAL     58                                                      1,790

 

Phone Bank Calls                                           


  1. Treatment Professional       200
  2. Other Professional               204
  3. Treatment Client                   120
  4. Client Community                196
  5. Community Family                 95
  6. Faith Community                    10
  7. New Landlord                         83
  8. OH Landlord                           66
  9. OH Member                          959
  10. OH Neighbor                            3
  11. Other                                        74

 

TOTAL Calls:      2010

Information Request  


1.        Calls by Chapter

·      Ch. I                        132         

·      Ch. II                        24

·      Ch. III                     383

·      Ch. IV                     149

·      Ch. V                        24

·      Ch. VI                       48                                                                                         

·      Ch VII                       68                                                                                         

·      Ch VIII                   110

·      Ch IX                       24                         

 

2.        Oxford House List        269

3.        Brochure                        263         

4.        Case Management       702

5.        Treatment Referral       378

6.     Gen. Addict/Recov.       91

                                                               

Donations

  1. OH Material Donation (i.e. furniture)                $5,000.00
  2. Financial (i.e., Monetary)                                    $2,500.00

           

 

 

Friends of Recovery Association

Narrative

 

Collaborations with Other Social Service Agencies

 

  1. Johnson County Mental Health

Friends of Recovery has collaborated with Johnson County Mental Health to educate individuals in Oxford Houses.  In 2008, Friends of Recovery distributed information on Hepatitis C and prescription medication, information gathered from Johnson County MHC.

     

      2.  Topeka VA

            For the fourth year, Friends of Recovery and Oxford house members in Topeka have participated in the Veterans Administration Standdown.  This annual event, which offers services to veterans, some of whom are homeless, features information booths, free haircuts, physicals and clothing.  Oxford House information was distributed to more than 50 veterans. 

 
Correctional Community

 

Oxford Houses in Kansas and probation officers in the state have continued to bridge the gap between soon-to-be released prisoners and their entry into Oxford Houses.  Presentations in prisons across the state were increased in 2008, at the community, county, state and federal level. 

 

Community

 

1.      St. Marks United Methodist Church

Friends of Recovery has continued to have a positive relationship with St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.  St. Marks continues to support the Santa Fe Oxford House with donations, both cash and in-kind.

 

§         St. Marks continues to provide a free space for our new member orientations, Chapter 1 (KC) meetings, Crystal Meth Anonymous meetings and other Oxford House social functions.

 

2.   Scott Robb Fund 

In February 2004, Friends of Recovery established the Scott Robb Memorial Fund, at the request of the widow of a former member of the Johnson Drive Oxford House.  This fund is used by new residents of Johnson county Oxford Houses who are having difficulty with move-in costs.  As of the end of 2008, 10 new residents were helped by the fund.

 

 

New Member Orientation

New member orientations were held in Wichita, Topeka and Kansas City during 2008.  Over 150 Oxford House members participated in these events.

 
House Update

New houses in 2008 included Leo and Rita in Wichita, Quivira, which is a house for women and their children in Shawnee, and Second Street Oxford House in Leavenworth.