Venture Academy helps teens who could benefit from academic support and clinical treatment. Our treatment programs for troubled teens employ staff that have a comprehensive understanding of the diverse challenges faced by today’s teens and students. Our staff members have a proven record of proficiency in working with students who may be struggling for many reasons or would benefit from some extra support. Venture Academy employees are carefully screened and selected for their integrity, compassion, and ability to help school-aged adolescents make real changes. We help teens overcome their challenges while teaching them how to develop and maintain healthy and productive lifestyles and relationships.
Our students benefit from the support of a skilled Education and Clinical Team and dedicated frontline workers. We believe in a direct, one-to-one, hands-on approach. For example, students benefit from direct support from a Behavioural Therapist or Counsellor “on the floor” – meaning in the classroom setting, in a social learning environment or while out engaging in a fitness and recreation activity! This is critical for transfer of skills and real-life results.
Naomi received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Calgary with a Clinical Specialization. With over a decade of experience working with youth in a variety of settings including school, residential care, treatment centres, cultural centres and outreach, Naomi values the opportunity to support youth and their families through the struggles of life in these times. Having a passion for art and youth she brings more than just therapy to the team. Using art as an engagement tool Naomi builds strong, creative relationships with the youth she works with creating a safe space to work on Social, emotional, and mental health concerns. According to Naomi, the best part of working for Venture Academy is the chance to work with each individual supporting them specifically according to what they need
Naomi obtained a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Ryerson University followed by a Master of Social Work from University of Windsor. She has also received certification in brief and narrative therapy with Hincks Dellcrest Centre in Toronto.
Matt obtained his Masters in Counselling Psychology after graduating with a Bachelor from the University of Calgary and studying Social Work at Mount Royal College. With a longstanding passion for working with children, youth and families, Matt’s repertoire of experience started with supporting children and youth recreationally in community development programs. Since that time, Matt has spent almost 2 decades helping individuals and families as a Social Worker and Counsellor. Most recently, Matt’s practice has been focused on providing individual and family therapy as well as substance abuse assessment and treatment. When working with the Venture Academy youth, Matt utilizes his ability to quickly engage and develop professional relationships with young minds, as he works towards getting to the root of the issues and struggles that they are experiencing. Matt supports the Venture Academy teens to develop coping strategies, reasonable solutions, sustainable and healthy relationships, and simply helps them be the person they would be excited to wake up and be every day.
Rick obtained both his Arts and Education degrees from the University of British Columbia and continues to take additional courses focused on inclusive education. While Ricks’s undergraduate degree focused on Canadian Literature and History, he is also a music, Mathematics, and Science teacher. As a provincially certified teacher, Rick has worked with students dealing with a variety of learning challenges including ADHD, Autism, Depression, Anxiety and physical challenges including deafness. He is skilled at developing relationships with youth in order to better facilitate the learning experience and promotes learning that is a collaborative endeavour between teacher and student. Rick is an avid believer in the importance of balance in education and in life. In his spare time, he enjoys running and triathlon training. He has completed both half- and full Ironman distances and several marathons as well.
Sean obtained his Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science at Burman University. His educational specialization is at the secondary level and he has taught grades seven to twelve. Sean has experience supporting students as a teacher’s assistant and as a P.E teacher to home-schooled children, encouraging interest in sports and inspiring students to be active. In addition, Sean has been working closely with high school students in a dormitory setting for the past several years. Sean’s diverse volunteer involvement includes that of a youth leader, martial arts instructor and he has participated in mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico to build facilities for those in need. Sean is very passionate about motivating youth in all areas of their schooling and enjoys helping them along their path to success. His ability to quickly engage youth and build collaborative working relationships contributes to his effectiveness in supporting Venture Academy youth to work towards positive educational and treatment goals.
Zara joined Venture Academy in 2005 as a Youth Counsellor, with an education in Social Services / Substance Use Counselling. Her experience includes positions of Child and Youth Care Worker in two lower mainland high schools, Youth Support Worker with an independent living program and Activity Supervisor at a substance misuse counselling program. After a number of years supporting Venture Academy’s struggling teens in making positive behavioural changes, Zara went on to obtain education in office administration and returned to Venture Academy as Assistant to the Executive Director. As the Quality Assurance Manager, Zara plays an integral role in Venture Academy’s Licensing and CARF Accreditation processes. Her administrative training, frontline experience, and broad knowledge of the agency contribute to her ability to assist the Venture Academy Team in admissions, human resources, policy and procedure, data management and outcomes reporting, among other general operational duties
Nancy’s is the friendly voice that greets the Venture Academy families calling into our head office. As Receptionist with Venture Academy, Nancy is involved in a wide range of administrative tasks including scheduling family calls and visits, youth appointments, recreational activities and overall contributing to the administrative team and tending to the needs of the Venture Academy families. Graphic design and marketing formed the backbone of her professional life, until Nancy realized she wanted to be a part of something deeper and more meaningful on a human level. That journey led her to Venture Academy, where she is delighted to be interacting with youth and their families on a daily basis, and thrilled to be providing support to a team of passionate professionals who are working with these families to make a positive difference.
As Receptionist / Administrator with Venture Academy, Renée provides administrative support to the team in many of the day-to-day tasks. Renée has worked in diverse environments, coupled with her bilingualism has provided her with a solid foundation of transferable skills to support the Venture Academy team. As a mother of a teenage daughter, Renée enjoys spending time with her family and friends in the beautiful Ottawa Valley.