“Years ago I was told that if the “alphas” of the world would just pick up their reins, the planet would be a markedly better place. I kept thinking about this, a little sorry for myself that I clearly wasn’t an alpha, let alone one with reins …

John Derry is one of the many teachers in my life who helped me to begin to see that, indeed, we’re all alphas – and helped me to begin to pick up my reins.

This is what I know to be true of John Derry: he leads by example; he suits up and shows up; he lives the principles of his convictions and seeks to make a difference in the lives of others while walking softly with dignity and integrity in this life.

When John first told me about his dream to found A Home Away Retreat, as a new model of care, and about the actions he was taking toward that, I was so very moved. In that moment, without either of us knowing it, he gave me permission to follow my own dream, some seven years later.

It’s how this deal works.

It’s a pleasure to know and to recommend John Derry. The world needs more of him.”

Leslie Holt, Markham, Ontario

“John is a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional who, along with his staff, creates a caring environment to allow healing and renewal for those in need.”

Gale May, Markham, Ontario

“I have known John Derry for the past five and a half years, four of those from working as a Massage Practitioner at A Home Away. I see John as being one of the highest authorities in the field of addictions. Both his personal and professional experiences have enabled him to develop the expertise and compassion that is so essential to be effective and successful in his field. His passion, dedication, and conviction towards his work is admirable!”

Tia Cherneski, Massage Practiitoner, Kelowna, BC

“John has the vision and commitment to start and develop an unique residential treatment program. He demonstrates honesty and respect with all guests. I have always felt and been treated as a respected colleague.”

Art Gillan, Counsellor, Kelowna, BC

“John is a man for whom I have had high regard since meeting him nearly two years ago — and working with, and for him in that period.. He has the ability to bring out the very best in people with whom he works and those who he guides though their life processes. I highly recommended John.”

Casey J. Gryba, M.A., D.D
Ecclesiastical Coordinator, United Centers for Spiritual Living, Kelowna, BC

“I am delighted to recommend John Derry. I have know John over many years and have always been impressed by his integrity, intelligence and his kindness. He has been a leader in many roles over the course of his career and I am sure that John will continue to be successful in all endeavours. I have no doubt that he continues to make a real difference in the lives of people with whom he works.”

Karen Graham, Owner, Panacea Canada Inc.

“John is a meticulous and detail oriented worker with great communication skills and intuitive counselling abilities. He manages people well and is a great listener.”

Steve Crane, Family Counselor, Hazelden Foundation, Minnesota, USA

“John and the people at A Home Away delivered on their promises. John provides a safe, supportive, clearly structured environment for rehabilitation from addiction. Like most, I had little idea of the scope required for an effective program yet I can report that I was more than happy with the results of his program and the people within the organization.”

Stew G, Vancouver, BC

“Although I have not yet met John personally, his reputation as the Director of A Home Away is far-reaching. A client of mine who recently completed the program there, one who had been having major difficulty maintaining her sobriety, told me she is very aware that AHA saved her life. I am hoping to make a trip to A Home Away to visit John (and Jane) and see the wonderful treatment centre he has created. Thanks John, for following your dream and being such an inspiration to so many who need you!”

Candace Plattor, Counsellor, Vancouver, BC

“I’ve had the opportunity to spend time at A Home Away Retreat as their public relations representative, and I can attest to the extraordinary work that goes on there. John’s program is top-shelf as far as I’m concerned and I’d give he and Jane my highest endorsement. They run a GREAT program.”

Gary Stromberg, Author, Speaker, The BLACKBIRD Group, California, USA

“From the first moment I met John at his office at A Home Away it was clear he was committed to his work helping others overcome their addictions. I was impressed not just with his training and expertise but with the sincerity and passion with which he applies it. If you or anyone you know is struggling with an addiction I would highly recommend they meet with John Derry.”

Larry Arrance, Sr. Marketing Coach, Cornerstone Consultants, Kelowna, BC

“I enjoy working for John at A Home Away. As Director of A Home Away, John has developed a well rounded program for Addictions Recovery. John is supportive of, and encourages, program developement. It’s refeshing to be challenged this way.”

Jim Copeman, Owner, Feel The Rhythm Drum Circles

“John is an energetic, knowledgeable and results oriented visionary who continuously stirives for a better way, both professionally and personally. His personal attributes of compassion, optimism, intuition, and empathy have a tremendous impact on everyone he interacts with. He is an effective teacher and motivator who gives people the tools and support needed to affect change in their lives.”

Jim Stewardson, Director, HR, Kraft Foods, Canada

“I had an opportunity to work with john through several functions at GSK. John maintained strong business thinking while balancing medical integrity. This professional approach garnered trust and respect and John was an integral part of all brand teams where he was involved.”

Colin Dickey, Sales Representative, GlaxoSmithKline

“Had the pleasure to work with John at Glaxo and found him to be a sound, honest, knowledgeable individual with excellent leadership abilities. Pleasure to work with and remain connected.”

Peter Pichini, Management, GSK

“I worked with John during his “power years” at Glaxo. We worked closely on many projects and cross-functional teams and John was always reliable and dependable, ensuring that he and his staff met their obligations. He was also a gentleman with whom I enjoyed working.”

Robert Taylor, Director, Business Development, GSK

“I had the pleasure of working with John at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and GlaxoWellcome / GlaxoSmithKline. I first met John at Sunnybrook, where he was one of my instructors. He was very patient and thorough, knowing just how much independence to give his students. Later, as staff at Sunnybrook, I found John to be extraordinarily professional and an excellent team player with a terrific sense of humour.

I was delighted to find out that John was working at GW/GSK when I joined the organization. Along with the professionalism I had come to expect, I had greater exposure to John’s ability to embrace change (specifically with respect to IT technologies) and his ability to connect with people, in a meaningful way, as individuals. John always treated his colleagues with the highest dignity and respect.”

Nicole Lee, Owner, Nightshade Creations

“I knew John while we worked at GlaxoWellcome. He was very well regarded by his colleagues and extremely capable. In our many discussions he was always very helpful, thoughtful and focused, traits important to his second career at A Home Away Retreat.”

David Tesarowski, Associate Director, Clinical Research, GlaxoWellcome

“Throughout the past year, I have observed and corresponded with John and Jane in the “social media world.” I admire their genuine passion for the struggling addict. Their “non-institutional rehab center”, A Home Away truly promises to be a place of hope, a rare “one of a kind” gem in the world of treatment resources.”

Judy Herzenak, Dir. Creative Development and Marketing, Changing Lives Foundation

“My professionnal interactions with John have given me an impression of him as being a leader with strong relationship buiding skills, very knowledgeable. He was respected and trusted, known for his high integrity and honesty.I would not hesitate to recommend his services to friends and family.”

Manon Sabourin, HR Manager, GSK

“John is a true professional with excellent business skills, solid scientific knowledge and strong management abilitiies.It was a real pleasure to work with John.”

Lucy Arnoldo, Finance Manager, GlaxoSmithkline Canada

“John has always been honest and sincere in all of his interactions. Any advice he has given me has been well thought out and based on his own life experiences.”

Henry Raud, Senior Manager of R&D, Avaya, Pickering, Ontario

“I have known John Derry for some twenty years and consider him to be a high quality professional who is a straight shooter. He always demonstrated a customer centric attitude and had very good listening skills. He was able to evaluate the needs of others and ensured that his possible solutions would be a good fit for the client.”

Wayne Guppy, Senior Manager Market Development, Glaxo Canada

“John’s experience and knowledge in Chemical dependency, gambling, other addictions, give him insight into the requirements and needs of his guests and his hospitality is outstanding”

Ray Keen, Owner, Sherwood Hospitality, Kelowna, BC

“John Derry and his team of health care professionals provide a unique opportunity to participate in your own healing and recovery. An “A Home Away Retreat” experience offers guests from all walks of life a much needed service!”

Jill Parsons, Accredited Music Therapist/Spiritual Director, Vancouver, BC

“John is a wonderful person who has continually provided excellent service to the recovery community for addiction and alcoholism. His non-institutional approach to treatment is, hands down, an asset to those who seek recovery in the early stages.

Both personally and professionally I would recommend John for any venture he and/or his team would choose to pursue.”

Philip Cory, Owner, Treatment USA

“During my tenure at GSK, I had the pleasure of working with John in a Business Development project. John showed excellent leadership skills and invigorated the project team with his energy and passion. I thoroughly enjoyed working with John.”

Anne Cheung., Manager/Director, Business Development, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

“I feel like I’ve known John forever.
John took a very courageous step in moving from the security of a corporate salary to his own ventures. I have been thrilled to watch John every step of the way. If you need customized help for your problem addiction, or know of someone who does, contact John. He walks the talk!”

Keith Bray, Owner/Partner, Keith Bray Associates, LTD.

“I worked with John in different capacities at GlaxoWellcome and GlaxoSmithKline. His thoughtfulness and caring for his team were exceptional and he was always able to balance the needs of the business with the people aspects of the job. As a peer, I came to rely on his high standards of integrity, his warmth and his attention to detail.”

Kathryn Simpson, Strategic Change Manager, GlaxoSmithKline Canada

“I am happy to write this recommendation for John. I greatly appreciated our interactions in the past. John strikes me as a dedicated person who is focussed on the needs of the team and of the individuals within the team to advance projects.”

Gilbert Nadeau, Professional Communications, GlaxoSmithKline Canada

“John is a professional dedicated to excellence in whatever he does. He always acts with integrity, and brings a positive attitude, enthusiasm, and creative solutions to the table. John is able to combine organizational objectives effectively with financial accountability.”

Angelo Falotico, Finance Manager – R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Canada

“I have a computer business and I look after all of A Home Aways computer servicing needs. They have been my client for many many years. I have occasion to visit the property numerous times every year in the performance of my duties as their computer tech and I frequently encounter some of the clients at the site.

I always enjoy my visits to A Home Away as I particularly can see the good work going on there. It is always very quiet with a small number of clients participating in counseling sessions of various kinds. It is a unique and valuable resource. The setting is tranquil and park-like. I have observed the tremendous amount of landscaping work and building improvements that have taken place over the years to make this retreat as relaxing and comfortable as possible for the guests to get on with their recovery in a pleasant and safe home environment.

It seems apparent that certain individual(s) has waged a personal vendetta campaign against A Home Away. I have read their claims on the Internet: they are malicious. I am engaged in the collection of evidence and documenting much slanderous material that has been posted anonymously on the Internet in an effort to damage A Home Away’s reputation. The people doing this are ruthless and relentless. There is evidence of conspiracy and attempted extortion of money from A Home Away.

From a community perspective, we live in day and age of widespread problems with drug and alcohol addictions in our communities, with people turning homes into grow ops and drug labs, breeding crime and social problems in the community, destroying families. The local news is full of these stories, and senseless pain, suffering, and death continues to occur in our neighbourhoods and streets. And here is A Home Away, a place that truly makes a difference. A place where people can find help and support and hope in recovering from life destroying problems. By comparison, the local government-owned addiction facility is like the “county jail”. We need alternative places such as the innovative home-based model that A Home Away leads for people to go in our community. A Home Away provides a unique service for a unique need and has little outside impact other than positive social, community and economic benefits.

A Home Away is truly unique. It is the result of the courageous vision of John Derry to help people restore their lives with respect and dignity in a home-based environment and a family dynamic. John and Jane Derry provide that home, family structure, an atmosphere that can not be reproduced in an institutional setting. Being a responsible part of the neighbourhood and community is a large part of what creates the environment within which people heal, and restore to productive members of society.

A Home Away is a home, with real caring homeowners, and a beautiful, loving dog. It is not an institution, nor a medical facility. It is a drug and alcohol and smoke free home with personal counselling, holistic sessions such as yoga, music and art, and a conduct based upon the spiritual principles of the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. This is clearly an example of good people, doing good work, running a good business, providing local employment, bringing money into the community and helping otherwise ordinary people deal with some of life’s most difficult problems.”

Bob Enns
Okanagan Mobile Computers