John Volken Academy - UT

John Volken Academy - UT Red Barn Academy has transitioned to John Volken Academy—continuing to change lives through hard work and accountability!

"We are a Life-Skills Academy with a focus on Addiction Recovery and Mental Wellness which provides Transitional Living, Educational Opportunities and Jobs for individuals and Families."

The countdown is over! Join us tomorrow morning for our first annual 5K at our North Salt Lake campus! 🏃‍♂️💨📍 EVENT DETA...
06/05/2026

The countdown is over! Join us tomorrow morning for our first annual 5K at our North Salt Lake campus! 🏃‍♂️💨

📍 EVENT DETAILS
📅 Date: Tomorrow, Saturday, June 6, 2026

📍 Location: 1130 W Center St, North Salt Lake, UT 84054

✅ Check-In Time: 8:00 AM

⏱️ Start Time: 9:00 AM

👉Register Here: https://give.volken.org/event/2026-run-for-recovery-5k/e784511

🚐 THE MISSION: Help Us Get a New Van!
Every single registration, donation, and bid goes directly toward our $30,000 goal to purchase a new 15+ passenger van. This vehicle is a lifeline for our program—providing safe, reliable transportation to get our guys to community service projects, school, medical appointments, and help them do the practical work of rebuilding their lives.

✨ WHAT TO EXPECT
Community: Connect with Utah’s incredible recovery community.

Sponsor Booths: Explore resources and support from our amazing local partners.

Silent Auction & Giveaways: Place your bids on our 23 awesome auction baskets or enter to win prizes!

Honor & Remember: Whether you run or walk, do it to honor those in recovery, those we have lost, or those still searching for their path.

🎁 RACE DAY EXTRAS & PERKS
🛍️ Huge Thrift Store Sale: After the race, shop till you drop! Our new warehouse thrift store located right next to the event is hosting a massive sale. Come grab some incredible finds—including some brand-new, unopened Lego sets that just arrived!

🚚 Food & Snack Trucks: Fuel your run or celebrate crossing the finish line with a delicious bite from our lineup of 3 local food trucks!

See you all bright and early tomorrow morning. Let's lace up, show up, and push past the halfway point for that new van!

   

We have 23 awesome auction baskets up for grabs right now, and every single dollar raised goes directly toward our $30,0...
06/04/2026

We have 23 awesome auction baskets up for grabs right now, and every single dollar raised goes directly toward our $30,000 goal for our 5K to get a new van for our program, and we're almost halfway there!

A reliable van is a lifeline for our program. It’s how we get our guys out to community service projects, drop them off at school, get them to vital medical appointments, and help them do the practical work of rebuilding their lives.

Click the link in our below to view the baskets and place your bids!

https://pro.gofundme.com/live/auction/2026-run-for-recovery-5k/cbfae115-3bd4-4cfd-bf2d-d865bd9799c8

We were honored to attend Harmony at the Hale Centre Theatre! A massive thank you to Sharetix for generously donating th...
06/02/2026

We were honored to attend Harmony at the Hale Centre Theatre! A massive thank you to Sharetix for generously donating the tickets and gifting our guys an unforgettable evening of art and connection.

The talent on stage was breathtaking—the singing, acting, and detail were incredibly impressive. But what stood out most was watching our students completely immerse themselves. For a couple of hours, they were entirely present—laughing, leaning in, and deeply appreciating the performance.

The play follows a group of young men whose individual voices create something much bigger than themselves. In many ways, it’s a mirror for the men at JVA. Each student arrives with different strengths and life experiences. Growth can feel repetitive—showing up every day and putting in the work when nobody is watching. But just like a masterpiece musical, those quiet, repeated practices eventually create something beautiful.

One of our students, Toppee, shared a beautiful reflection:

💬 “Thank you again for the opportunity to go and connect with the brothers. I really enjoyed the story behind the play. My favorite part is when the actress read a verse from the bible which stated, 'Where you go, I go.' This statement hits home to me because my thoughts are that if I always have the Academy with me wherever I go, then I know that they have my back and that I always have something positive with me. I really enjoy the fact that the Academy really pushes for having connections. Whether it be here at home throughout the week or out around the community with things like the theater, symphony, bike rides etc. From my perspective, it is the reason a lot of brothers are making commitments to stay longer and fight for their lives. This is due to Staff and your continuing efforts to help myself and our brothers in this journey.”

Talent is everywhere, and transformation happens in so many beautiful ways. We are so grateful for nights like this that remind our guys of the power of connection and the beautiful life they are building.

Last week, a group of our students had the incredible opportunity to attend the Utah Symphony. We want to extend a massi...
05/31/2026

Last week, a group of our students had the incredible opportunity to attend the Utah Symphony. We want to extend a massive thank you to Sharetix for donating the tickets and making this unforgettable evening possible!

Watching the performance, it was impossible not to draw a parallel to the journey of recovery. If you focus on just one instrument at a time, some of the sounds can seem random, loud, or even out of place. But when you step back and truly listen, you realize every single instrument has a purpose and contributes to a masterpiece.

Rebuilding a life works the exact same way. Every guy comes to the John Volken Academy with a different story, different struggles, different strengths, and a unique personality. At first, it can feel overwhelming. But as they put in the work—learning discipline, practicing accountability, and discovering their purpose—you begin to see those individual pieces harmonize into something truly great.

One of our students, Shawnte, shared his experience from the night:

“Thank you for the opportunity to go to this event. I have never been to a Symphony before and enjoyed it. The time off campus with my brothers to have good clean fun was amazing. Dressing up, seeing the city night lights and enjoying a musical evening showed me new things I will be applying in my life after graduating this program.”

To appreciate a symphony, you have to be completely present. If your mind is elsewhere, you miss the details, the talent, and the beauty of how it all works together. Sometimes, the world only hears "noise" when looking at someone struggling with addiction. The beauty of what we do here is helping these men learn how to turn that noise into purpose, direction, and a meaningful life.

The best part of the night? Watching the guys get dressed up, step into an environment that felt completely unfamiliar, embrace being uncomfortable, and realize they belong there.

This week, some of our students and a staff member visited the Animal Care of Davis County to drop off donations and tak...
05/30/2026

This week, some of our students and a staff member visited the Animal Care of Davis County to drop off donations and take the dogs out for some much-needed exercise.

For Brock, one of our students, the afternoon was about a lot more than just a walk:

“I felt it was really therapeutic, and it was a win for all parties involved... I believe it is critical for guys like us to do things like this because it gets us outside of our old character and into a new one.”

Spending time with animals in nature is a massive part of our holistic approach to recovery. It lowers stress, boosts mindfulness, and—most importantly—helps our guys step away from their old habits and embrace a new, purposeful character.

Thank you to the shelter for letting us bring some joy to these pups' day while they bring so much healing to ours!

We recently asked one of our students to share the positive self-affirmations that keep him grounded, focused, and motiv...
05/29/2026

We recently asked one of our students to share the positive self-affirmations that keep him grounded, focused, and motivated on his journey. Looking at this photo, you can genuinely see the strength and resilience behind that smile!

Words have power. What we say to ourselves matters more than we think. Incorporating positive affirmations into a daily routine does so much more than just boost mood—it actually helps rewire our brains to overcome self-doubt, reduce anxiety, and build lasting self-esteem.

When you shift your internal dialogue, you shift your entire perspective.

Our countdown to the Run for Recovery 5K on Saturday, June 6th continues, and today we want to shine a massive spotlight...
05/27/2026

Our countdown to the Run for Recovery 5K on Saturday, June 6th continues, and today we want to shine a massive spotlight on another incredible Gold Sponsor—First Community Bank Utah! 🏦📈

First Community Bank is so much more than a sponsor to us; they are true partners in our students' long-term success. True recovery means rebuilding every area of life, and that includes learning financial literacy.

The amazing team at First Community Bank regularly comes to our campus to teach financial classes to our students. Even better, they open up checking accounts for our guys, giving them the real-world platform they need to practice fiscal responsibility, manage their earnings, and build a secure foundation for their futures. 🤝💼

Because of their immense generosity, 100% of your 5K registration fees go straight toward our $30,000 goal for a new program van! 🚐💨

Come run for a cause and support the community alongside partners who are actively changing lives!

🎟️ Registration is $25 (Includes your race shirt, runner bib, and a giveaway entry!)

👉 Secure your spot today: https://give.volken.org/event/2026-run-for-recovery-5k/e784511

This Memorial Day, the John Volken Academy family pauses to remember and honor the courageous men and women who made the...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, the John Volken Academy family pauses to remember and honor the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their legacy of service is something we hold close to our hearts.

To put our gratitude into action, a few days ago we sent a crew of 12 students on a special service project to the Elysian Burial Gardens. Together, our guys placed American flags on the graves of veterans, ensuring that their memory is honored and never forgotten. ❤️🤍💙

Service to others is a massive pillar of recovery. By stepping up to honor these heroes, our students aren’t just giving back to the community—they are learning the true value of respect, selflessness, and connection.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work and heart our guys put into this project. Today, we stand together in gratitude for all those who served.

05/24/2026

We have an exciting update on our meditation atrium! Over the past couple of weeks, this space has completely transformed, and the new fountain is looking absolutely beautiful.

But this project is about so much more than just construction. The guys pouring their hard work into this space are successfully putting their own fingerprints on their home. Every stone laid, every detail finished, and every hour invested is a reminder of their growth and ownership in this community.

This atrium will soon be a peaceful sanctuary for reflection, mindfulness, and healing—built by the very hands of the men changing their lives here.

We are so proud of their dedication and the beautiful legacy they are creating for everyone who walks through these doors. Stay tuned to see the final look!

As the countdown to our Run for Recovery 5K on Saturday, June 6th rolls on, we are incredibly proud to highlight another...
05/23/2026

As the countdown to our Run for Recovery 5K on Saturday, June 6th rolls on, we are incredibly proud to highlight another amazing Bronze Sponsor—School Of Addiction Recovery!🏃‍♂️

The School of Addiction Recovery shares our deepest conviction that education, support, and community are the building blocks of a brand-new life. By empowering individuals to reclaim their stories and build a successful path forward, organizations like SOAR make our entire community stronger and more resilient. We are so grateful to have them running alongside us! 🤝❤️

Because of the phenomenal generosity of sponsors like them, 100% of your 5K registration fees go straight toward our $30,000 goal for a new program van to keep our students moving forward! 🚐💨

Come out to support an incredible cause and run with a community dedicated to transformation!

🎟️ Registration is $25 and includes your official race shirt, runner bib, and an entry into our awesome sponsor giveaway! 🎁

👉 Copy and paste this link to register today: https://give.volken.org/event/2026-run-for-recovery-5k/e784511

Address

1130 W Center Street
North Salt Lake, UT
84054

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 7pm
Tuesday 6am - 7pm
Wednesday 6am - 7pm
Thursday 6am - 7pm
Friday 6am - 7pm
Saturday 6am - 7pm

Telephone

+18019395100

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