FAQS
What type of support for unhealthy behaviors does the JVA provide?
John Volken Academy provides a highly structured residential life-skills program requiring a minimum commitment of two years. It’s designed to assist men facing challenges such as addiction, criminal histories, homelessness, and other unhealthy behaviors. Our program provides job and life-skills training to equip men ages 18–55 with the tools needed to achieve lifelong sobriety.
Our program provides participants with all the tools they will need to handle life’s many challenges. They achieve this, in part, through extensive personal development, career preparation, and educational opportunities which are all crucial for a rewarding life of sobriety.
How does the JVA Community work?
The community at the John Volken Academy is the strongest healing mechanism of the program. We live and lead by the motto “each one, teach one.” This motto implies that the individual assumes responsibility not only for their own recovery, but also for the recovery of their peers. They recognize that the recovery of each member is related to the recovery of all and conduct themselves accordingly—this, in turn, reinforces their own recovery.
Personal growth and proper living are achieved by peers serving as role models, providing support through interaction, and confronting each other in group sessions. By doing all of this, participants come to understand and resolve the cause of their addiction and also gain the tools they need to stay sober.
Program participants are expected to observe the behaviors and attitudes of their peers and act to promote change. The more senior participants teach by example and provide instruction and leadership. They act as big brothers to the more junior members. They show them how to work, encourage them, reach out to them, “pull them up”, monitor them, and correct their negative behaviors. In our program, participants are considered equals in their struggle to change their lives.
While they have no formal authority over their peers, they have considerable informal authority in their community management roles. They are taught to become leaders by handling increasing amounts of responsibility in their job functions and general supervision. As junior members are primarily in learning roles, less demand is placed on them to lead. As they progress through the stages of the program, their attitudes and behaviors change while their responsibility, accountability, and therefore, their self-worth, increases.
What does a day look like as a student at the John Volken Academy?
Our program is designed to provide sufficient structure and opportunities for students to attain job and career training, educational advancement, and leadership opportunities to ultimately build strong character and gain necessary tools for lifelong sobriety.
A typical day at the academy begins around 6 a.m. Students will get ready for their day in our state-of-the-art dormitories. A nutritious breakfast is prepared and served by students assigned to our cafeterias. Following breakfast there is morning group and chores. Students will then disperse to their assigned duties throughout one of our various businesses and functions within the program designed to support the community, allow them to gain work experience and continue their education and life skills training.
Assignments and learning experiences vary by each John Volken Academy location but include all aspects of running businesses such as furniture sales, horse boarding and ranch, grocery and market management, moving, lawn care, and woodshop services, and much more.
Students assignments and roles will rotate throughout their time at the academy from as they are provided the opportunity develop their skills and explore possible career opportunities.
Lunch and dinner are served at the assigned times and the students conclude their day with a variety of structured activities such as evening groups, leisure time, sports and fitness, as well as planned outings to experience the arts, entertainment, nature, and more.
Personal growth and proper living are achieved by peers serving as role models, providing support through interaction, and confronting each other in group sessions. By doing all of this, participants come to understand and resolve the cause of their addiction and also gain the tools they need to stay sober.
Program participants are expected to observe the behaviors and attitudes of their peers and act to promote change. The more senior participants teach by example and provide instruction and leadership. They act as big brothers to the more junior members. They show them how to work, encourage them, reach out to them, “pull them up”, monitor them, and correct their negative behaviors. In our program, participants are considered equals in their struggle to change their lives.
While they have no formal authority over their peers, they have considerable informal authority in their community management roles. They are taught to become leaders by handling increasing amounts of responsibility in their job functions and general supervision. As junior members are primarily in learning roles, less demand is placed on them to lead. As they progress through the stages of the program, their attitudes and behaviors change while their responsibility, accountability, and therefore, their self-worth, increases.
Is a long-term Therapeutic Community effective for real change?
A long-term, Therapeutic Community approach is considered to be a very effective approach for addiction. It works far beyond initial drug and alcohol program by not only allowing physical time and space away from substance but also helping the addict re-establish healthy life skills, values, and develop mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. In doing so, they acquire the tools essential to live without drugs and alcohol, for life.
Our Therapeutic Community approaches addiction through the following key areas:
- Group work and peer supoort
- Learning and education opportunities
- Job, career, and life skills training
What evidence is there for the success of a long-term life-skills academy like John Volken Academy?
According to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, long-term programs have 70% sobriety success rates, whereas short-term programs have much lower success rates.
You’re chances of gaining life-long sobriety increase SIGNIFICANTLY with a two-year commitment to fully getting well, overcoming addiction, and gaining the skills and tools needed to maintain sobriety.
Do you offer specialized plans for each student in the program?
Each student is on a growth track of their own. As students gain experience and excel in their roles, they will be given more freedoms and more opportunities for leadership, learning and gaining more trade skills. Our goal is to provide students with the tools necessary to overcome addiction and re-join society as a productive member, making a positive impact on the world. If it takes longer than the minimum two-years, we are here and willing to help each student as long as they desire at no extra cost.
Can my family visit me while I am in the program?
Yes, at a certain point, as you progress through the program, short visits are allowed. They must be arranged prior with the Program Director. We have a system for all visits as well as furloughs for students. All of this will be explained by the Program Director. Our main goal is to keep our students safe and healthy during visits.