Oxford House - Galileo
3526 Summersworth Run, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Oxford House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that pioneered the Oxford House Model in 1975, providing self-run, self-supported, and sober living homes for individuals recovering from substance use disorders.
Originating when residents of a closing halfway house in Montgomery County, Maryland, took over the property to continue their recovery, the model emphasizes recovery, responsibility, and replication through democratically governed residences where members share expenses (Equal Expense Share), elect officers for six-month terms, and enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol, with immediate expulsion for violations.
There are no time limits on residency, allowing members to stay as long as they maintain sobriety, pay their share, and avoid disruptive behavior; the average stay is about a year, but many remain for three years or more.
Operating over 3,500 gender-specific houses across 47 states and internationally in countries like Canada, Australia, and Ghana, Oxford House serves diverse populations including men, women (some with children), veterans, those with co-occurring mental health disorders, and special groups such as the deaf or Native Americans, integrating them into supportive communities that foster leadership, self-efficacy, and long-term sobriety without professional oversight or affiliation with AA/NA beyond individual member participation.
Backed by extensive research from institutions like DePaul University and recognized by SAMHSA as an evidence-based practice, the model achieves sobriety rates exceeding 80% for residents completing a year, significantly reducing substance use, incarceration, and improving employment outcomes compared to usual care.
What we treat
Treatment & Programs
Levels of Care
Oxford House - Galileo provides a self-run sober living environment designed as a long-term living solution for individuals in recovery. Rather than a step-down program with a formal end date, members can remain here for as long as they maintain their sobriety, avoid disruptive behavior, and pay their share of expenses. This peer-supported model serves as a vital bridge for ongoing aftercare support.
Therapies
As a non-clinical sober living home, Oxford House - Galileo does not employ outside authorities, professional managers, or formal therapies. Instead, the focus relies entirely on shared responsibility and lived experience to foster lasting sobriety. Residents are strongly encouraged to actively participate in outside 12-Step meetings and other community-based support groups.
Addictions
The home offers a safe haven for individuals actively recovering from drug addiction and alcoholism. The network's foundational rule requires a fully sober environment, meaning any member who returns to using faces immediate expulsion. This strict zero-tolerance policy ensures a secure space for everyone committed to their recovery journey.
Conditions
While primarily focused on substance use disorder, the peer-led model also supports individuals managing co-occurring mental health challenges. Residents take responsibility for their own wellness, learning to balance independent living with the support of an empathetic community. The self-governed structure helps members rebuild self-efficacy and confidence as they navigate life post-treatment.
Issues
The environment provides a built-in sober social network, offering deep camaraderie for those who might otherwise face loneliness in early recovery. This community-building aspect is especially beneficial for individuals rebuilding their lives after facing criminal justice issues or housing insecurity. By working together to run the household, members learn valuable leadership and conflict resolution skills.
Programs
Operating under a federally recognized, evidence-based recovery community model, this home relies on participatory democracy rather than top-down rules. Every resident has an equal vote in household decisions, including the interview and acceptance of new members. The abstinence-oriented framework is backed by long-term DePaul University research, which proves this communal living approach significantly lowers relapse rates.
On-site
Amenities
Members share a comfortable single-family home equipped with standard conveniences like cable and satellite TV. Because the house is completely self-managed, residents pitch in to do chores, share basic staples, and handle the daily upkeep of the property together. This shared domestic responsibility transforms the property into a true community.
Coverage
Payment
House expenses are managed entirely by the residents through a system known as Equal Expense Share (EES). Every member pays the exact same self-pay amount, which covers the monthly rent, utilities, and basic household staples. This shared financial responsibility keeps costs accessible and empowers the household to be entirely self-supporting.
Eligibility
Who We Serve
Oxford House - Galileo serves adults in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who are highly motivated to maintain their sobriety. While the broader organization supports men, women, and specialized populations across its 3,500 locations, this specific residence operates as a dedicated, gender-specific home. It is built for individuals ready to embrace the responsibilities of a self-supporting, egalitarian lifestyle.
Additional Services
Members who leave the home in good standing are encouraged to join the active alumni program to offer friendship and ongoing mentorship to newer residents. The network operates strictly through gender-separate housing, ensuring a focused and comfortable dynamic. Additionally, individuals can access a broader support system through local chapters and national conventions.
About
Facility Info
Located in a Fort Wayne residential neighborhood, this sober living environment operates under the umbrella of a respected 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Rather than functioning as an institutional facility, it exists as an autonomous, democratically run house within the local community. The egalitarian structure ensures there is no landlord or owner living on-site.
Credentials
Accreditations
The underlying model of this home is recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as an outstanding, evidence-based practice. Residents hold a charter from the national organization, signifying their strict commitment to the network's system of operations and core traditions.
- 3526 Summersworth Run, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
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