Oxford House set to open fourth Moses Lake home

“I thought I would do Oxford House a favor by bringing my long-term recovery into the house, but really, what it did, is Oxford House was doing me a favor, because during that time as a resident, I learned a lot of things about myself.I learned a lot of things that I needed to work on.” 

- Nokey Pando, Oxford House, Inc.   

MOSES LAKE — Oxford House, an organization that provides housing and support for people recovering from addiction, will be opening up a third home for men in Moses Lake.  

“Oxford House, Incorporated is a network of self-run, self-supported recovery homes for people recovering from alcoholism and addiction,” said Nokey Pando, who works for the Oxford House organization. 

The home is located on E. Nelson Road, just across from St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Pando said. The home was purchased by an investor who spoke with Oxford House and is working with the organization to improve the property to meet the needs of its future residents. Once that work is done, which includes repainting the exterior of the home when weather conditions are more compatible with that work, the home is expected to open in early May, expanding access to the program which Pando says is greatly needed in Moses Lake.  

“The two men’s houses right now, they offer 21 beds,” he said. “One house, they offer 11 and the other has 10. And then we have a women’s house that also houses women with children. There’s nine beds in the women’s house right now; we have male and female-serving beds.” 

The need for men’s recovery resources is greater than that for women, Pando said. Thus, the addition of another home for men. The new site is expected to provide another 10 beds to serve men in recovery, bringing the total to 31 beds for men and nine in the women’s Oxford House location.  

Pando said he’s glad to be a part of the Oxford House team as an employee now. Years ago, he fought addiction himself and helped open the first men’s location in Moses Lake. He was on the road to recovery, was substance free for some time, and opted into the program. Once he did, he saw how useful it was to have the support of housemates who understood what he was going through. He said he learned a great deal about himself.  

“I moved into Oxford House to gain better support, because the reality is I hadn’t really kept my own home in recovery,” Pando said. “it was a good opportunity for me to extend my level of accountability, to learn some structure and how those would apply to my future.”  

In the end, that’s made him a better partner to his girlfriend and father to his daughter, Pando said. He became more accountable for his actions, realized how his decisions and behaviors impacted others and generally grew as a person.  

“I thought I would do Oxford House a favor by bringing my long-term recovery into the house, but really, what it did, is Oxford House was doing me a favor, because during that time as a resident, I learned a lot of things about myself,” he said. “I learned a lot of things that I needed to work on.”  

Pando hopes others pull similar lessons from their time at Oxford House. The program has a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who falters in their recovery. No illicit substances are allowed in the house and everyone holds themselves and others accountable. Part of the key to success is having that supportive environment. To create that environment, Oxford House residents have to be substance-free before they move in. 

“The tradition is, once you are in recovery, we help sustain that,” Pando said. “We provide housing, accountability, structure – it's peer-ran. One of the major big ones is a zero-tolerance policy, and that’s just to ensure a 100% alcohol and drug-free living environment.”  

The nonprofit could use some help setting up the new property though, Pando said. He is looking for furniture and the basic necessities to make the house into a home. An Amazon wish list has been set up at https://bit.ly/MLOXFORD. Additionally, those with donations may contact him directly via email at nokey.pando@oxfordhouse.org or call him at 509-797-1769.  

Pando said current needs for the home include four twin beds, six full beds, garbage cans, couches, general household goods and cleaning supplies. Mops, brooms, dust pans, a vacuum cleaner and laundry supplies – including baskets – are also on the list of needed items. 

For those who want something tasty while they support a good cause, Oxford House also has a fundraiser Saturday at Grace Harvest Church, located at 313 Fig Street in Moses Lake. Twenty dollars will get supporters a taco plate and entry into a bingo tournament with a variety of prizes like gift cards and electronics, among others.  

An open house is planned for the community to come learn about the program after the house welcomes its first residents in May.