How do the clients get to Advent?
Clients are normally referred to us by the Probation Department (some referrals may come from Social Services). Prior to acceptance, our social workers interview them to determine whether or not they are appropriate for our program.

What is the typical background of a Recovery kid?
Our kids come from many different family settings. Lower to upper class, educated to illiterate, involved to abandoned. The key ingredient is that they have reached a place where their addiction has overtaken their lives.

Is there a time commitment to this position?
We ask for a one-year commitment from our Resident Counselors.

What is the pay?
Current opening and the salary that the position pays are posted here on our website.

What does the benefit package look like?
Advent provides medical and dental insurance, 2 weeks paid vacation, 8 paid holidays and membership to a health club.

Do Resident Counselors have to find housing for their days off?
No, both room and board are provided for 7 days a week.

Where do you get your funding?
This varies. 80% comes from the counties that place youth in our program; the other 20% comes from foundation grants and donations from individuals and churches.

How many staff work in each home?
Four. There are two who live in the facility and two who live out of the home. Along with these staff work the Program Supervisor, Addictions Counselor and Social Worker.

Are all the Group Homes located in the same area?
All of our homes are located in Santa Clara County, in Northern California. Two of the them are located in San Jose, two in Morgan Hill, one in Sam Martin and one in Gilroy. (communities located just south of San Jose).

When you say 4 days on duty, is it the same four every week?
Yes. Your shift will either be working every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and every other Saturday and Sunday or you will work every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and every other Saturday and Sunday.

What kind of training do you offer new employees?
During the 1st two weeks the Senior Counselor will live in the Group Home with you in order to provide you on-the-job training. During the next three months you will receive on-going training from the Senior Counselor. You will also attend monthly trainings on topics including but not limited to Runaway Prevention, conduct Disorder, Disease Concept of Alcohol, Child Sexuality, and Suicide and Crisis.

Is San Jose near the beach?
San Jose is located about 45 minutes to the nearest beach, which is in Santa Cruz.

How many people work at Advent?
Advent has three departments: Recovery Homes, Foster Homes, and Clinical. Combined there are about 60 employees.

How long do kids stay in the program?
The typical stay at Advent lasts from 9-12 months. Some kids stay longer depending on their situation outside of Advent. Others may stay for only a couple of months, dependent on the decision of their Probation Officer.

Where do the kids go when they graduate the program?
Many kids return to their families; other kids go to foster homes, sober living environment homes, or community programs for young adults, Still others may get a job and live on their own.

Do you only focus on drug and alcohol addiction? What about other issues?
All of the kids who come to Advent have issues besides drug and alcohol addiction, such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse, mental illness, neglect, poor schooling. At Advent they participate in individual and group counseling and life skills groups. They attend an on-site school that provides a quality education in a clean and sober environment.

What kinds of services do you have for the clients?
Advent's program includes many treatment components, including Milieu Therapy, Individual, Group and Family Counseling, NA and AA meetings, Life Skills Group, Recovery Education, Special School programs, Recreational Activities, Church activities, and Bible Studies.

Do the kids participate in NA and AA meetings in the community?
Yes. Each home attends 5 meetings a week. This gives the chance for the kids to interact with others outside of the home who share in the same struggle.

Why is there an on-grounds school? Do they go year round?
Education is an important part of the program for these kids. It is vital for them to learn in a clean and safe atmosphere where temptations with drugs and alcohol aren't present like it could be in the public schools. Yes, the kids go to school year round. Many of the kids have stopped attending school and thus have little high school credit. Attending school year round enables them to catch up on credits.