Dear fellow survivors, supporters, and anyone who has ever been touched by the John Volken Academy,

An anonymous source with direct, current knowledge has now confirmed all our worst fears.

For many of you who haven’t been in the loop for over a decade or who genuinely believed the official story in early 2025 that the government intervention and shutdown of the Surrey/Langley facilities was real and final...we now know the truth. 

What many of us suspected and pieced together through months of quiet sleuthing online was exactly right: it was merely a rebrand. Nothing of substance actually changed. In fact, according to our sources, in some ways it may be even worse.

The program continues operating near Surrey in Langley, B.C., and  through its U.S. locations, now repackaged with shiny new language about “life skills,” “vocational training,” and “personal growth.”

But here’s the part that should send shudders down the spine of every survivor who lived through those closed doors: "students" are now paying for monthly room and board while being funneled into the same coercive structure so many of us experienced.

The abuses that went on behind those walls:  the control, the isolation, the forced labor disguised as “therapy,” the psychological harm, humiliation rituals, the favoritism, the silencing... were never truly addressed. 

A handful of solid journalists and a few brave entities tried to expose it, but the vast majority of the public and oversight bodies moved on once the headlines faded.

We refuse to let this fade.  

This rebrand is not reform...it’s concealment. 

And while new students sign up thinking they’re getting help, those of us who lived it know exactly what “life skills” at JVA really meant for far too many.

If you are a survivor, a family member, or someone who simply believes no one should be trapped in a system like this under any name, please keep sharing this petition. 

Talk about it. Reach out to media. Contact your representatives in the U.S. and Canada.  

If you are an independent journalist, podcaster, filmmaker, or writer who can help give survivors a platform, your support is deeply needed.

There was also a concerning situation shared by someone who had expressed interest in developing a short film on this topic: his cat, a loyal indoor companion that would not typically wander, went missing unexpectedly. While there is no confirmed explanation, incidents like this have understandably raised concern and unease due to their timing and circumstances.

Demand a full, independent investigation that follows the program wherever it tries to hide...whether it’s called John Volken Academy, a “vocational academy,” or any other rebranded name. The truth is out. Now we make sure it stays out.

Thank you for standing with us. Your signatures, shares, and stories are still the only reason this hasn’t disappeared completely.

In solidarity and with heavy hearts,
Clelia Jane Sheppard & the JVA survivor community 
 
 
 
 
 
Alt Text (alternative text) Image Description:

An anonymous source has submitted this clear, full-color photograph taken from inside their own vehicle while driving on a multi-lane highway in Canada, where the facility was allegedly "shut down" in early 2025 for various abuses/harms. The image shows the rear and side of a large commercial semi-trailer truck belonging to John Volken Academy Farms (also branded as Academy Farms / JVA Farms).

Here is exactly what is visible on the truck in the photo:The truck is dark blue/black with white lettering and graphics.

At the top it reads: “BUFFALO & BISON SPECIALIST” next to white silhouette logos of a cow and a bison.
Large central branding says: “JOHN VOLKEN ACADEMY FARMS”.
Below that: “ACADEMYFARMS.ORG”, “@ACADEMYFARMS
”, and the phone number “604.592.2055”.

Additional text on the side panel repeats “JOHN VOLKEN ACADEMY FARMS” and includes the tagline “CHANGING LIVES ONE STEP AT A TIME” (partially visible).
The truck is actively driving on a public highway under overcast skies, with trees and road infrastructure in the background. Another vehicle is visible ahead in the same lane.

What this photo proves for the petition: The image provides current, verifiable photographic evidence that John Volken Academy Farms (JVA) is still fully operating its commercial meat/farming business in 2026. The professionally wrapped delivery truck is on the road, advertising the farm’s products and contact information to the public. According to the anonymous source and consistent with prior reports about the program, this business is believed to rely heavily on unpaid or extremely low-paid labor performed by program participants .. many of whom are mentally ill individuals in recovery from severe drug addiction (both recreational and prescribed harm) and trauma.

These residents are reportedly required to work on the farm as part of the “academy” program, raising and processing buffalo and bison for sale.

This photo directly contradicts any claims that the farm operations have shut down or been scaled back. It shows the enterprise remains active and publicly visible, continuing to generate revenue while allegedly exploiting vulnerable participants.The image was taken recently (as evidenced by the current road conditions, vehicle styles, and the fact that the truck is in active use). 

The source has asked that it be shared publicly in the petition to give everyone  (especially those who cannot see the photo very well)  a clear, detailed picture of what is still happening.If you are visually impaired or prefer audio descriptions, this text version captures every key detail shown in the image. The evidence is straightforward: JVA Farms is still in business, and the truck in the photo is the proof.