Skip to content
los angeles sober living
  • Need
  • Process
  • Testimony
  • Support
    • Women’s House
  • More
    • Contact Us
    • Photos
    • Community
    • Activities
    • Board
    • Staff
    • Newsletters
    • Media
    • Blog
    • Reporting
  • 424-209-7507
  • Donate Now
Menu Close
sobriety
Read more about the article David Van Der Velde Writes About the Unique Challenges the Holidays Present to Early Recovery

David Van Der Velde Writes About the Unique Challenges the Holidays Present to Early Recovery

  • Post published:October 28, 2022
  • Post category:Blog

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…

Continue ReadingDavid Van Der Velde Writes About the Unique Challenges the Holidays Present to Early Recovery
Read more about the article David Van Der Velde on Thriving in Recovery During the Holidays

David Van Der Velde on Thriving in Recovery During the Holidays

  • Post published:December 14, 2021
  • Post category:Blog

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…

Continue ReadingDavid Van Der Velde on Thriving in Recovery During the Holidays
Read more about the article Adverse Childhood Experiences as it Relates to Addiction Recovery
Photo Credit: Hunter French / for NBC News

Adverse Childhood Experiences as it Relates to Addiction Recovery

  • Post published:May 19, 2021
  • Post category:Blog

About half of those that experience a substance or alcohol use disorder (SUD and AUD respectively) also known as drug addiction and alcoholism, experience a co-occurring mental health disorder. Additionally, up to…

Continue ReadingAdverse Childhood Experiences as it Relates to Addiction Recovery
Read more about the article The Stigma of Faith in Addiction Recovery

The Stigma of Faith in Addiction Recovery

  • Post published:April 21, 2021
  • Post category:Blog

Growing up I was a seeker and had a sense of a Higher Power that today I choose to call God.  As I experienced my childhood and adolescent years, however,…

Continue ReadingThe Stigma of Faith in Addiction Recovery
Read more about the article Pharmaceuticals Alone Are Not The Answer To Achieve Long-Term Recovery From Opioid Addiction
Photo Credit: csp_focalpoint

Pharmaceuticals Alone Are Not The Answer To Achieve Long-Term Recovery From Opioid Addiction

  • Post published:February 26, 2021
  • Post category:Blog

By David van der Velde

Continue ReadingPharmaceuticals Alone Are Not The Answer To Achieve Long-Term Recovery From Opioid Addiction

CONTACT US

© Awakening - All Rights Reserved

Serving Los Angeles and West Hollywood

los angeles sober living
Close Menu

Donation Level

$5,000

Sentinel
Help fund resident activities for one year

$2,500

Guardian
Help fund resident-prepared meals for one month

$1,500

Warrior
Help fund house supplies for one month

$1,000

Awakening
Fund random weekly drug and alcohol testing for two months

$500

Courage
Help fund resident activities for one month

$250

Faith
Fund a resident activity for one month

$100

Hope
Fund resident meals for one day

$50

Strength
Fund video meeting capability in the house for one month

David Van Der Velde

Executive Director & Co-Founder

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, CADC-CAS

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.