OKLAHOMA CITY – Exodus House OKC, a transitional home for those being released from incarceration, received certification this week from Oklahoma Alliance for Recovery Residences (OKARR), according to Robin Wertz, site manager for Exodus House OKC.

As an affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, OKARR certification symbolizes the commitment for developing and maintaining a national standard for all levels of recovery housing.

“The certification is based on a safe and healthy residential environment using the social model principals,” stated Wertz. “It promotes healthy living skills, values, connections with self and others in a community.”

OKARR was established to provide a way for those coming into a recovery home, and for referring agencies, to be assured that certified homes are operated with integrity, upheld the resident’s rights, provide a safe and healthy environment, facilitate active recovery and community engagement, model prosocial behaviors, give residents a sense of belonging and tools to be good neighbors.

“This certification enhances our referrals from the Department of Corrections, community agencies, mental health, and treatment facilities,” continued Wertz.

Exodus House OKC is an outreach program of Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries (CJAMM), a 501(c)3 located in Oklahoma City. CJAMM also operates Exodus House Tulsa; Parsonage House, Tulsa; and has programs at Penn Avenue Redemption Church, OKC; St. Luke’s Redemption Mission, Tulsa; and Aldersgate Redemption Mission in Lawton.

“With Oklahoma being one of the highest incarceration states in the world, it is important for us to have programs that help individuals have healthy, safe, and supportive places for transition back into society” said Keith Dobbs, Executive Director for CJAMM.

“This certification means a great deal to us as we are being recognized for the team efforts of our staff, volunteers, sponsors, and community friends. CJAMM’s programs have an impressive 1.7% recidivism rate,” he concluded.