In a recent article on Thrive Global, Awakening Co-Founder and Executive Director David Van Der Velde discussed the the challenges that young people who have co-occurring mental health issues face…
In a recent article on Thrive Global, Awakening Co-Founder and Executive Director David Van Der Velde, discussed the need for long-term recovery solutions for women. In the article, David discusses…
In a recent article on Thrive Global, Awakening Co-Founder and Executive Director David Van Der Velde, discussed the unique challenges that people in recovery face during the holidays. The holiday…
David Van Der Velde, the Executive Director and Co-Founder at Awakening Recovery, wrote an article in Thrive Global in recognition of Recovery Month (September). In the article, he offers many…
David Van Der Velde, the Executive Director and Co-Founder at Awakening Recovery, wrote an article in Thrive Global in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day (August 31, 2022). There is an…
With Pride month behind us, Co-Founder and CEO David Van Der Velde offered his insights to Thrive magazine about the unique set of issues LGBTQ+ people experience while seeking recovery…
David Van Der Velde was featured in Thrive Global talking about the increasingly common occurrence of a mental health (MH) issue co-occurring with a substance use disorder (SUD). Co-occurring disorders…
David Van Der Velde was featured in Thrive Global talking about the growing popularity of "Dry January." The Executive Director and Co-Founder at Awakening Recovery discusses the trend and says:…
Awakening Recovery Co-Founder and Executive Director has seen many holiday seasons come and go and knows how they can challenge someone in recovery. "Substance use disorder recovery is not only…
During National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month in October, The White House made a proclamation, that in part stated, “We know that delaying substance use until after adolescence, when the…
David got clean and sober in 1988 at the age of 19, close to death from his own struggles with drug addiction and alcoholism. Now 32+ years clean and sober, he has been consistently active in his recovery community by mentoring others, serves on recovery and youth related non-profit Boards such as LifeWorks and the West Hollywood Recovery Center, and serves on panels at institutions speaking from his own experience about recovery.
In 2015, David chose to transition from a 25-year career in producing large-scale corporate events for the sports, entertainment and non-profit sectors, to co-founding Awakening Recovery as its Executive Director and Board member, helping those looking for a long-term recovery solution regardless of access to funds. Additionally, David has successfully completed his Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling from UCLA. He now devotes his personal and professional life to helping people find a long-term recovery solution from drug addiction and alcoholism through the life-saving work at Awakening Recovery and in his recovery community at large.
Joelene Knight, is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Grace Recovery, a sub-acute and residential treatment program located in Hollywood, California, as well as a Board Member at Awakening Recovery, a unique life-saving nonprofit that specializes in recovery homes with a long-term, 12-Step addiction solution that creates a lasting change in core beliefs and behaviors.
Joelene is trained as a Certified Addiction Counselor and received her CADAC from UCLA in 2001. With 30-years of experience in the behavioral health, addiction, and recovery field, Joelene began her career in 1991 as a Community Outreach Specialist, providing counseling to high-risk youth, adolescents and their families. Joelene’s experience has spanned from delivering HIV prevention, education, and testing to individuals impacted by substance use disorders, to providing clinical expertise, insight, and programming as a Director and Clinical Advisor for multiple treatment programs in Southern California. She volunteered for the City of Los Angeles as a Crisis Response Team member, where she acted as a liaison for members of the city who were tragically impacted by homicide, suicide, and unforeseen deaths.
Joelene’s genuine and empathic nature is the foundation of her drive and service, which led her to build a continuum of care based on her expertise. In 2018, Joelene branded and opened Grace Recovery with her longtime friend and colleague. Grace Recovery is the culmination of years of experience, passion, purpose, and expertise. The foundation of Joelene’s unwavering commitment to providing ethical treatment to those in need is a testament to her past and current roles, as advocate, educator, clinical leader, crisis management, and behavior and addiction specialist.