John Volken Academy - Seattle

This place saved my life, and gave me a life and never imagined possible. After numerous trips to other rehabs and jail, this one did it. It's not easy, not always fun, you're going to work and work for that change.

Was homeless and addicted to heroin for 5 years in Phoenix, AZ. JVA Seattle saved my life. Thank you to everyone there!

I have a family attending the academy and without question this program is not just saving his life but also teaching him how to live life. They are empowering my nephew to believe in himself, teaching him communication skills, job skills, accountability and responsibility and the importance of community and family. If a person is ready for help this is absolutely the place!

Our son just completed and graduated from JVA after 2 full years. This program saved our sons life and gave us back the man that we knew was always within him. JVA is a two year program that is student run. There aren’t counselors, therapists, or pharmacists associated with it. They don’t dwell on why they have addictive issues, rather they teach them how to deal with everyday life, working, having fun, etc. without the need or want for chemicals. In our experience, short-term programs don’t work because there isn’t enough time in the program to overcome behaviors that will eventually return. They may have become sober in a short program but staying sober is difficult. We have been completely impressed with this program and whole-heartedly would recommend it to anyone. Our son has a bright future ahead of him due to JVA and the hard work he has put in to the program.

The website says it all – ‘You become who you were meant to be.’ We had lost our son, Eric, to addiction. He hadn’t passed away, but was certainly in danger of it. He had become a stranger to us – an imposter in our beautiful son’s body. He struggled with extreme opiate addiction – and really whatever mind altering substances he could get his hands on – for over a decade!! He bounced in and out of jail and homelessness. It was gut-wrenching and heartbreaking! He tried a number of other traditional drug rehab facilities ‘graduating’ from some 30-40 day programs and dropping out or being kicked out of others. When we heard about JVA, we begged him to go. Initially, he was adamant that there was ‘no way in hell’ that he needed or would ever attend a 2-year program. After continued failed attempts trying other methods/programs, he applied and was accepted to JVA. He initially committed to going for 6 months. After 6 months there, he told us that he had decided that he was going to stay the whole time and promised to graduate the program. He said that he saw changes in people more advanced in the program than himself who had qualities he admired and looked up to – and wanted the same for himself. He put in the hard work – making the most of his time there - ceasing the opportunity to learn, grow and better his life and that of others. He graduates at the end of this month and has a bright future ahead of him if he stays on track (and we are optimistic he will) – with employment lined up, and the tools and resources necessary to not only navigate and survive – but to thrive!! Thank you, John and Chawna Volken, for your vision, generosity and wisdom in creating this program- and for making it affordable to all! We have our son back – the man, family member and person he was always meant to be. We are eternally grateful!