John Volken Academy

John Volken Academy (JVA) is a men’s long-term residential therapeutic community located at 6911 King George Highway in Surrey, British Columbia. Founded on the principle that lasting recovery requires addressing the root causes of addiction — not just the symptoms — JVA offers a unique, multi-year program that combines therapeutic community living, vocational training, education, and personal development. With a minimum commitment of two years, JVA is designed for men who are ready to make a profound and lasting investment in their own transformation.

Therapeutic Community and Multi-Year Program Model

John Volken Academy operates as a therapeutic community — a structured living and learning environment where recovery happens through authentic relationships, mutual accountability, and shared purpose. The two-year minimum commitment distinguishes JVA from most short-term residential programs and reflects the Academy’s conviction that deep personal change takes time. Residents dealing with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, opioid, and other substance use disorders engage in a holistic program that integrates counselling, community work, and educational development into a single, immersive experience.

Vocational Training, Education, and Life Skills

One of JVA’s defining features is its emphasis on education and vocational training as pathways to recovery and reintegration. Residents develop practical skills and work experience through structured vocational programming, building the confidence, competence, and employability that support independent living after graduation. Medical and legal support services are available to address the practical challenges many residents face, and family support resources help repair and rebuild the relationships that addiction has strained. The Academy’s holistic approach recognizes that recovery must equip men for real life, not just for sobriety.

A Community Built to Change Lives

John Volken Academy describes itself as “a therapeutic community built to save lives.” The culture of the Academy — rooted in mutual care, personal responsibility, and genuine community — provides the environment where transformation becomes possible. No insurance is required to participate, removing a significant barrier for men who might otherwise be unable to access long-term residential care. For men in Surrey and the Lower Mainland who are ready to commit fully to a new way of living, John Volken Academy offers one of the most comprehensive and sustained recovery experiences available in BC.