Thousands of testimonials have been received from John Volken Academy participants.
Here are just a few excerpts taken from their letters.
“I went through 9 different programs with NO SUCCESS. I literally hoped I would die. The John Volken Academy SAVED MY LIFE! I cannot thank you enough for what you have done, in not only my life, but my family’s as well.”
“Thank you! Not for SAVING MY LIFE, but for giving me A LIFE WORTH SAVING.”
“I WAS LOST and just wanted to die. I had no idea how MEANINGFUL my life could be…The John Volken Academy has CREATED A NEW PERSON.”
“When I came to the John Volken Academy I was a complete mess, I could not sit still, nor could I think straight…IF I CAN TURN MY LIFE AROUND ANYBODY CAN.”
“I have GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY…I have had to change things about myself that I didn’t even know needed fixing.”
“I should have been dead a few times. After failing at 7 treatment centers, I FOUND MY RECOVERY at the John Volken Academy l—THE LONG-TERM PROGRAM THAT WORKS. It literally saved my life…Now I have been sober for 4 years. I am EXCITED about life.”
“If it wasn’t for the John Volken Academy, I’D BE LUCKY to be in jail—I’d probably be dead.”
“I have learned to laugh, cry, serve, and so much more. The friends I have made will last a lifetime. My LIFE HAS BEEN SAVED.”
“Many of my misunderstandings about myself and people have CHANGED SO MUCH, I don’t know how I could have thought differently.”
“Your program has CHANGED ME from a lying, drug abusing, criminal, to a respectable, trustworthy, HAPPY man. I have found myself, my purpose, good friends…and for that I am forever GRATEFUL.”
“My parents spent over $100,000 on rehabilitation programs. All wasted. The John Volken Academy taught me HOW TO STAY SOBER…My parents say it’s a MIRACLE.”
A Parent’s Perspective
We also have hundreds of testimonials from parents and family members who saw a complete transformation in their loved ones after graduating from our substance abuse rehab
“I contemplated suicide, even held a loaded pistol to my head…Thank you, thank you, thank you… I now have an awesome job and a VERY HAPPY LIFE.”
“I weighed 360 pounds, took a handful of pain pills every day, and smoked and drank constantly…Now I am a ROLE MODEL to my fellow man.”
“I drank until I couldn’t feel and took pills that made me feel numb. I have been in and out of different treatment centers and nothing has worked for me…The John Volken Academy has molded me into the man I have ALWAYS WANTED TO BE.”
“I have learned to laugh, cry, serve, and so much more. The friends I have made will last a lifetime. My LIFE HAS BEEN SAVED.”
“My emotions have been treated in THE BEST WAY.”
“I would most likely be buried next to my mother in Red Deer. The people, the places, the drugs I abused would have ended my life. MY LIFE WAS SO OUT OF CONTROL, so chaotic, that I literally lived hour to hour not knowing or caring if death was around the corner.”
“I truly BELIEVE IN THIS PROGRAM with all my heart, now that my heart is working properly…The John Volken Academy has TAUGHT ME to let go of my past and start a brand-new slate.”
“I cannot express just how GRATEFUL I am for your program. I HAVE GROWN mentally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually…I know God has a plan for me.”
“Has it been easy? No. But HAS IT BEEN WORTH IT? DEFINITELY!”
“The John Volken Academy has molded me into THE MAN I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE. I have learned so much about the Academy; Work ethics, communications skills, and leadership qualities to name just a few.”
“I tried and failed at many recovery programs…This program has changed my thinking, attitude, and behaviors. I’M A DIFFERENT PERSON. I like myself…words are difficult for me to describe how I truly feel about the John Volken Academy…I AM BLESSED.”
“I wish that people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol knew that there was HOPE AND AN ABUNDANT LIFE waiting for them…I tried to get clean for years.”
“I hated joining a program, but I hated my life even more. All that hate TURNED TO LOVE.”
“I kept myself imprisoned and a slave to my addiction…I really don’t know how I’ve made it that far…Thank you for providing A SAFE AND STRUCTURED PLAN…I love you…Thank you for BELIEVING IN ME.”
“No one thought I’d ever clean up and make something of myself…Writing this letter is proof that I BEAT ALL ODDS.”
“Before I came to the John Volken Academy I determined that my life was hopeless and I would die addicted to heroin. My addiction has not only destroyed my life but my family’s as well. Today I want to preach to the world that TRUE RECOVERY IS ATTAINABLE.”
John is often asked why he embarked on this demanding mission. A typical response is:
“The other day, a student made a rather serious mistake…that’s expected. It gave me an opportunity to spend some time with him. After our “heart to heart” we hugged and I told him that I loved him. He responded with tears and said, “My father never said that to me…and how can you love me after all the stupid things I have done?” I reassured him that his mistakes were behind him, and that he was on his way to a new life. That is what the John Volken Academy is all about. Forgiveness and change. There are tears, there are laughs, there is hope, there are struggles, there is change…The transformations are incredible! Every day I am grateful to God for the opportunity to be part of changing lives.”