HANOVER TWP., Pa. — What’s being touted as Pennsylvania’s first family recovery center — and maybe even the first of its kind nationally — sits just south of Route 22, along the borders of Bethlehem and Hanover Township.
Oasis Community Center — operated by the nonprofit Speak Up for Ben LLC — on Friday celebrated five years of helping area families grapple with their loved ones’ addictions, and supporting them through grief and loss.
According to Oasis founder Rhonda Miller, the nonprofit has assisted around 3,800 participants annually through various groups, programs and events. That number represents about 500 unique families, she said.
About half of those families are from Northampton County, about a quarter from Lehigh County, with the remaining from surrounding areas as far away as New Jersey.
Oasis has offered 49 special events, 20 support groups, 10 workshops, nine trainings and programs and eight wellness retreats and events.
A 'sacred' place
Miller said the old farmhouse now home to Oasis at 3410 Bath Pike is a place she sees as “sacred.”
The 220-year-old home was once a candle store. Rhonda said she used to bring her family to shop there and feed the geese along the Monocacy Creek.
She said her life changed after her son Ben had his wisdom teeth taken out and was prescribed opioids.
“He developed this horrific addiction that, for eight years, we didn’t know, as a family, where to go, how to get help,” Miller said.
“We didn’t have any support. There’s so much stigma.”
Ben died in 2016, just one week before his 24th birthday.
Help from the county
While dealing with the loss of her son, Miller and her family formed the nonprofit Speak Up for Ben, eventually pitching some broader ideas to Northampton County officials.
County Executive Lamont McClure said the county government has invested $1 million in Oasis over the last five years. The main funding comes from the county’s Department of Human Services Drug and Alcohol Division.
“If families can build resiliency, get education and understand the disease of addiction, they can get into a better place, a healthier place. And if we’re in a healthier place, we have a stronger chance of helping our loved one obtain and sustain recovery themselves.”Oasis Community Center founder Rhonda Miller
“If families can build resiliency, get education and understand the disease of addiction, they can get into a better place, a healthier place,” Miller said.
“And if we’re in a healthier place, we have a stronger chance of helping our loved one obtain and sustain recovery themselves.”
Family focused
Miller is a certified family recovery specialist with a specialty in grief support. She’s joined by Tina Thomas, who’s also a certified CFRS and specializes in family education and support.
The group provides no-cost education and help through counseling and support groups, wellness programs and holistic healing alongside a trauma-informed staff.
“All the other recovery centers are focused on providing resources and support to people in recovery from Substance Use Disorder. We’re the only one that our main focus is on the family.”Tina Thomas with Oasis Community Center
Thomas has worked there the past three years.
“All the other recovery centers are focused on providing resources and support to people in recovery from Substance Use Disorder,” she said, speaking of other groups around the area.
“We’re the only one that our main focus is on the family.”
