- Report: #576842
Complaint Review: A Home Away Retreat Inc - Kelowna British Columbia
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Author Not Confirmed
Why?
A Home Away Retreat Inc
Kelowna, British Columbia, United States of America
Phone:
250 769 2080
Web:
www.ahomeaway.org
Categories:
Business Rating:
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A Home Away Retreat Inc John Derry Jane Derry John Derry A Home Away Retreat Kelowna, British Columbia
In my view, A Home Away Retreat is nothing like it is described on the website. To say the least, the website is disingenuous and completely false. The rooms are small and dark and dingy and the place is a house that is being renovated. It is clean for the most part though the website claims to be "World Class." It is FAR from World Class. The food is horrible and good luck in getting your money back!
There are 3 or 4 part time "counsellors" who are approximately in their late 50's or 60's and retired (not that there's anything wrong with that but within the context of how A Home Away Retreat claims to be "World Class"....) The retired "counsellors" come to the house once or twice a week for a couple of hours and have a group "session." The "counsellors" do not have any contact with each other and seem to be very bored, inauthentic and lack enthusiasm. A joke!! I think that I got more out of reading Dr. Seuss.
I also agree with the other complaints regarding the character of John Derry. I believe that he is insincere, calculating and lacks compassion. Money seems to be his main concern.
It's probably a good idea to go somewhere else.
Thanks.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
The new Bob
Kelowna,British Columbia,
Canada
In my view
#2General Comment
Wed, May 12, 2010
Actually the website has good pictures of the house and facilities that are not misleading. The local dry out and treatment center in Rutland, "Crossroads" is like the county jail by comparison, with inmates wearing their key as id and unable to do anything or go anywhere off the overcrowded premises. At A home away, guests are just that, they are guests, accommodations are bright and clean (although not the Ritz), the food is terrific with a talented chef and cooking staff. The part time counselors are among the best and most well seasoned you will find in the Okanagan. With a maximum of 8 guests at a home away, full time counselors are not needed, you can only do so many hours of one on one in a day. The setting is ideal for relaxation, spending time in quiet reflection, reading and working on the steps etc.
If the counselors found you boring, that is not their fault. People who refuse to work the steps may leave the counselors feeling uninspired alright. What I am seeing here is another example of a person who expects everyone to do everything for them, and nothing is good enough. Regardless of how much you pay to stay at a treatment facility you will only get out of it as much as you put in. The counselors cannot do the work for you, nor can they do the steps for you, nor can they stay sober for you.
Again, just a lot of sour grapes here. Didn't do any work and still have all the personality defects. It was your character defects that brought you to A Home Away, not Johns!
Having known John Derry for many years I can say with complete confidence that he is a man of impeccable character. He has worked very hard to build his facility and he puts a lot of personal energy into trying to help each client.
The reality of the business is that many clients come without a sincere desire to recover, they are just looking to hide away or please the wife or employer etc. When they do not succeed at A Home Away they then rely on their old tricks and lay the blame for their failure outside of themselves. Anyone can see that pattern in you repeating over and over.
