(PCM+) Oxford House:

A Place for New Beginnings

The following article appeared in the print issue of Ponca City Monthly magazine, which includes hyperlocal stories about Ponca City. Get full access to all online articles, videos, and content by becoming a paid subscriber. We offer free and paid subscription plans. Find rack locations to pick up your free print copy here, or subscribe here to get online access plus exclusive content.

“Oxford House has changed my life. It has given me room to grow and thrive and be of service and, as a result of all those things, I have become a better person.”

~ Nicole, Arizona Resident, oxfordhouse.org

The beginning of the new year is a time to think about new beginnings, especially ones that can make your life better, more worth living. That is precisely the end goal for those finding a home in an Oxford House, a network of addiction recovery homes chartered by the 501(c)(3) Oxford Houses of Oklahoma. Paige Johns, a former resident of Oxford House Peachtree (Ponca City’s female house), is an active alumnus who has since transitioned out to live with her family. She believes in the significance of the program and continues to be active within the local chapter and the larger organization.

Johns and family

When talking about the program, Johns explains that her passion is because someone helped her get her life back in order, and she feels an intense desire to do the same for others. She serves as the Northwest Oklahoma Alumni chairperson, representing Chapter 15 (Ponca City and Stillwater) and Chapter 10 (Enid). She was recently elected to serve a three-year national voting term on the Oxford House World Council, their advisory board which includes 12 members and alumni from across the country. Johns says, “I enjoy serving locally because I can see firsthand how residents in the program grow, and I appreciate working at the national level to work toward more expansion and organizational growth.” Oklahoma has a strong foundation and has even been able to provide loans to help Missouri and Nebraska develop and expand their programs.