Meet James June

We recently connected with James June and have shared our conversation below.

Hi James , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose through my recovery. When I was early in my recovery from substances and alcohol I lived in a sober living home. Within three months o living in the sober living home I was offered to become a house volunteer. Meaning I assist the house manager in overseeing the house. Making sure client sign out, sign in, do their chores and so on. About a month later I was offered to be a house manager and from there I climbed up the ranks to becoming the Assistant Operations Manager. It was at this company that I discovered that helping others find their recovery pathway as I did was my purpose. It has been a passion of mine to help others and at work and outside of work. Seeing other get into recovery as I have is the biggest award and knowing that I had a part in that journey goes beyond words.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a person in long term recovery from alcohol and substances. I am coming up on 10 years of recovery from all substances. As I stated, I found my purpose working in the field of behavioral health early in my recovery. I have been working in this field for just over 9 years now. I currently am the Vice President of Programs at CrossRoads of Southern Nevada, the largest indigent detox center in the valley serving those facing addiction and trying to begin their recovery journey. CrossRoads also has outpatient services along with transitional housing. It is my job as the VP of Programs to find areas of our company where programming can be expanded to continue to help those we serve. It is also my job to explore new grant and funding opportunities to reach new individuals and/ or populations. That is the exciting part that I get to be creative and find and discover opportunities to continue to expand our programming to help those in need of our services. Most recent projects included expanding our services to justice involved individuals and the transitional age youth (18 to 24 years of age). Another exciting thing we did was start an opioid group for those with opioid diagnosis. Another thing I do is monitor data.. Data is very important, it let’s me and the company know what about our programs are working and what are things that are not working. So far the things we currently have our participants are very satisfied with and the things we have coming I am sure that we will reach new heights programmatically to help more people is need of our services.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back the three things that were most impactful in my journey was remaining patient, remaining teachable and always falling forward. Patience was big for me. In my journey and with all three jobs I remain patient, worked diligently and remained focused on the company’s mission. I remained teachable, I kept an opened mind, learned from those that were in leadership positions so that I could be the best leader possible. Today I still remain teachable and am still learning from my boss and from those I lead. Its most important to remain open to those you lead, as they bring things to my attention often and I welcome the challenges from those I lead as it gives me opportunity to grow. Finally falling forward. It is important that when I am working on project, making decisions that when I fall short of the goal that I ensure that I fall forward. I must learn from that and ensure I continue to move forward with that lesson learned to better myself and the company I work for.

For those early in their journey the best way to develop or improve upon these things is to remain open minded. Do not rely on just yourself, ensure that you remain open to the team or teams you have around you. Accept the challenges and ideas they bring to you, be patient with your growth, if you continue to do the next right things, things will fall into place the way they are supposed to. Fall forward, learn from your shortcomings and most importantly always remain teachable.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

My biggest area of improvement for me was being active in listening to my body and to those around me such as those I lead, my mentors and my family . About 9 months ago I felt lost, I was going through a tough moment in my life. I had lost sight of my purpose and what I was doing. So I sought help through psychiatry, therapy and did a soft restart in my recovery, meaning I am going through the 12 steps again with a new sponsor to gain a new experience. Thankfully with me being in long term recovery I was able remain open minded and listen to suggestions so that I could seek help, remain teachable though the process, talk with others, share about what I was going through and by doing that I was able to rediscover my purpose. Through getting help and listening to those around me I am now working diligently to find opportunities to grow the current company I work for. Furthermore consistently reevaluate my day so that I can be the best version of myself for those that I love, for those I lead and to those that mentor me. I remain open, I listen and most important do my best to remain teachable. Listening to those around you is important, they see things before you do. When I was early in recovery people around me saw the growth before I did. It still the same today, by continuing to actively list to my peers I am able to remain teachable and continue to grow and reach new heights.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://crossroadsofsonv.com/