executive director

program counselor

youth counselor

team supervisor

care provider

Venture Academy

A typical day as parent consultant involves conversations with parents of kids enrolled in the Venture Academy program.  I have learned that the Venture Academy Managing Director is open to thinking outside of the box and welcomes new ideas and better ways of doing things.  Management is not committed to "doing things as we have always done them."    Management has always proven to be quick to listen and consider other perspectives while remaining committed to the betterment of child-parent relationships.  I have experienced support from management for ongoing professional education and other related courses.  The workplace is one where laughter and relationship is invited.   Working collaboratively is certainly a value and a strength at Venture Academy and this opens the way to learning opportunities from one's colleagues.   The hardest part of the job is saying good-bye to families while the most enjoyable part of my job is observing the growth in relationship between teens and their parents, seeing parents reach out to their teens, inviting them into relationship and then seeing the teens respond.  This is what it is all about.  

When working at the Barrie location, it is an institutional setting, very much like a prison. The job description where states: "The Child & Youth Worker will be responsible for planning, motivating and enthusiastically leading youth in a wide variety of healthy lifestyle and physical activities which may include, but are not limited to hiking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing, swimming, and working out regularly" IS NOT ACCURATE. The only thing you do is take the youth to a Crossfit gym, where most of them do not enjoy it. It is not a happy environment; the executive director takes the theory and manipulates it to make it fit to profit off of the youth's families and push the kids to conform. They do not get much from the program because it is so twisted. 

VA offers a very unique, changing and diverse work environment. The leadership team at VA provides clear roles, definitions, expectations and guidelines to the staff. The unique challenge typically comes from the youth and families that VA serves. They are often in states of crisis and reaching out for the structure provided from VA. However, it is the clear organizational leadership that sets the boundaries and limits that are required for stabilization, resulting in growth and development.  Working at VA, you feel very much as player on a team, with a clear coaching staff at the helm. The coaching staff expects you to play your best, resulting in the fun and accomplishment that only comes from overcoming obstacles, adversity, challenges, and difficulties. The rewards are worth!!! 

Job roles were not defined clearly and a lot of duties were mixed within the different roles which became frustrating for all staff. Students/families were not receiving the care that was spoken about during admissions. Often plans were NOT in place to help the individual client. Therapy was promised when there was no registered therapist on site. Management of location is very ill equipped to do their job well. Often they would address issues within the program after it was too late (when chaos was happening- regardless of lots of requests for help from front line). ATTN: PARENTS your money is not being utilized as it states on the website. Website is a lot of talk. Owners are extremely greedy and only care about numbers within their campuses, not quality of care being offered.

Working at Venture Academy means being a part of an honest team that supports each other through their ups and downs while working together to help youth (and families) in need of support. It can be somewhat unpredictable - as kids are unpredictable - and the climate at the program can vary with the clientele, but the staff continually works towards building a positive environment and, more often than not, the kids meet us there. Of course, there are days when there are challenges, but we tackle them as a team and lean on each other. This job is also a great opportuniy to be active and have a little fun in the community every day. The management holds a high standard for their program and their staff (as one would hope), but are also realistic in their expectations and incredibly supportive.

The owner of this business is ego driven and concerned only with how to cut corners financially with the host families and employees looking after the youth. Very  poor working conditions and morale for all involved. Staff are finding it difficult to find employment elsewhere due to the reputation of Venture Academy. Lack of communication given to parents who privately pay copious amounts of money monthly to help their children.
This program has great potential, unfortunately with the current ownership, that is impossible.

It is great to be a part of meaningful change with kids in the program.  I am part of a great team that works together and enjoys each other.  The staff that enjoy Venture are people who are really wanting to make a difference in the lives of the families and are willing to be a real contribution to the team not just show up for work.  Those who don't work out are those who don't want to work at the level of high standards and accountability for their work.

High stress environment, a lot of gas lighting.
Management will belittle you in-front of other staff. They only care about money. Not a place where a individual can grow or learn. Toxic work culture. If management was better this place has potential. maybe. Their reputation proceeds them. A lot of mental fatigue and anxiety. Job description not truthful. It reels you in. You will do the opposite of what the description entails. 

Venture Academy is a great work environment that allows for personal and professional growth. Management is supportive. Work/life balance is valued and encouraged here. There are definitely challenging moments (similar to many other work places) but the purpose and work at Venture Academy is meaningful and outweighs the occasional tough day. My desire and passion to work with youth and support their families is why I am here. 

I really enjoyed by job, the staff are all friendly and willing to help in any situation.  My Manager's door was always open and she made a habit of checking in regularly to ensure I had what I needed to get the job done.  The hardest part was having to deal with parents that expected you to "fix" their child in 30 days.  The best part was working with the youth, it was the most rewarding part of the job. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Executive director 4 salaries reported	$91,660 per year
Program counselor 2 salaries reported	$25.00 per hour
Youth counselor 1 salary reported	$23.50 per hour
Team supervisor 1 salary reported	$58,000 per year
Care provider 1 salary reported	$50,000 per year

Working at Venture Academy: company overview and reviews

Venture Academy

Venture Academy ratings

Popular jobs at Venture Academy

Salary satisfaction

Job seeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected