Asian Americans For Community Involvement

Mental Health Services — Health Care services — Domestic Violence
DUI classes — Counseling and psychiatric services — Serving adults, older adults, Family and children — war– tortured victims — traumatic patients — Projects for young adults to stay away from gambling and drinking — Substance Abuse counseling
Speak more than 40 languages and dialects .
If you Throw in a café/​luncheon coffee shop, AACI will be one stop shop

This review is for Dr. John Tso. The AACI clerks are ok, although they could be more helpful.
Dr. John is THE worst doctor I ever seen!
He is ok if you just do regular checkups, but if you really have problem, he is the nightmare! You can’t get appointment, his medical knowledge is limited. My mom-​in-​law has severe sciatica pain, the symptom started half a year ago and the doctor just ordered Xray and shrugged it off. When the pain is unbearable, under our request, he ordered MRI. However he does not know to make it a urgent request, just tell the clerk to fax the same order over and over.
We ended up took the order and did it in other office (we pay more), and switched PCP out of AACI.

I’ve worked for a number of non-​profits in this area and had heard that AACI was ethical and professional, so after my DUI I chose them for my classes. I expected the classes to be simplistic for me because I have already taught drug and alcohol prevention classes and I have been through rehab. recently. The group discussions were as I expected, mostly just general knowledge stuff from my point of view. However, the «lecture» classes were a JOKE! The teacher would come into the class, say how tired she was, tell everybody the rules, take roll and then put a movie on without any pre-​movie discussion at all. We’d watch the movie for an 1 ¾ hours or when we had about 2 minutes left in the class, then she’d turn the movie off and the class was over. There was absolutely no discussion about the movie or how it could relate to our lives. Once she said, «do you think this movie had anything to do with drugs and alcohol?» Another time she said the movie she picked that time actually DIDN’T have anything to do with D & A! When I tried to get a discussion going or just asked a question, she very subtly tried to shut me up. Wow! What missed opportunities for educating drinking drivers!
The ethics though were far worse: when I tried to transfer to another program because of transportation problems (for which AACI would not help), they said that while I’m in the program, all of the money I would owe for the program is prorated over the length of the entire program; however, now that I was transferring, it was all being called in. These fees were called such things as «Intake fee «($ 308»), State Licensing Fee ($ 10), County Monitoring Fee ($ 90) double fees for each classes you missed, AND a fee to take a leave of absence. Don’t worry, there was also a «transfer out fee.» Even though I had only attended 20% of their program, they charged me for 40% of it.
The coordinator would not put the amount I owed in writing, so I asked to speak with her manager. I put a letter in his box on a Friday afternoon and staff told me he’d get it on Monday. Over the next week I made 3 attempts at contacting him and heard nothing at all. So I finally went up the the Executive Director’s Office to speak to her, and yes, she produced the manager quite quickly. He finally came up with a written bill. When I saw the huge amount, I understood why the coordinator didn’t want to put the bill in writing and her manager didn’t want to deal with the issue (see previous paragraph).
I felt sorry for all of us who got caught having misjudged our level of sobriety, and we’ve all been charged thousands of dollars in fines and lawyers fees, scores of miscellaneous fees for every imaginable thing; sometimes jail, work programs where they attempt to treat you as inmates, and not being able to drive even to your DUI program –this is not to mention the scorn and degradation from every corner of your life and being on «probation for years. The exploitation of we who made errors of judgment and are at our very most vulnerable time goes on and on and on. For me, I paid what they asked quickly and decided to deal with the exploitation later.
P. S. One redeeming factor was that the Spanish teacher was very good at educating the students from other countries about how the justice system works here, especially regarding DUI’s, and especially the risks for those who may not have papers. He exaggerated a bit but the information was very helpful.

First review on Unilocal.Former client and consumer intern. Professional environment and the staff are very supportive. My past counselor still work there and she guided me through my teenage years. If it wasn’t for people like her then I wouldn’t be as mature or wise. I would highly recommend AACI to anyone in need of support.

My favorite partner agency for my job and and a great organization to volunteer with. There is a lot to say about AACI so this review would take pages:0)

Volunteered for the Unilocal community @ the AACI Project 40 /​Canvas. When is painting with acrylic on canvas not fun?
The event was well staffed, well organized and they provided art supplies and some condiments during our community service. All I did was register and paint for the 40^th anniversary of AACI for 2 hours. It definitely did not feel like volunteering! Thanks for all that you do and community involvement, ladies!

Truly dedicated people who truly want to help all people.

Awesome organization serving our community.

This review is for Pancho’s (Francisco Hernandez’s) DUI education class.
I am somewhat biased, working the program of AA. Pancho is a very dedicated to educating people about the dangers of drinking and driving. Most of the class is lecture, and he has a very casual but serious attitude about the subject (if that makes sense). Be prepared to sit for 1 – 1.5 hours listening to him relay his experiences and what he has learned from the program. The lessons he teaches are things that everyone should be aware of, if they do not have the intention of total abstinence. Not only does he teach about what one can do to avoid getting another DUI, his lessons include how drinking and substances negatively affect your social and financial life. He does not preach, he merely gives suggestions.
Although it can get dry at times, the setting is very relaxing. Unlike the other DUI program I attended in San Diego, Pancho does not withhold credit if you are late one or two minutes. All he asks is for you to call or text ahead of time. I see people falling asleep or on their phones all the time. What a big change from my other program, in which you would be automatically terminated for using a phone. Other than that, his message is always good. Take what information you want, because he does not preach or try to shove any ideas down your throat. It’s your life.

This review is specifically for the HIV testing services. These are really good people. I wanted to do my best and be responsible for myself, so I usually try to drag my butt to get tested every once in a while. And, usually I’m a little shy about going, because even though you don’t think a testing staff should judge you, in the back of my mind, I always think they are.
But, this time was completely different. They were extremely relaxed and down to earth, yet professional. I felt like I could tell them the truths about myself, and it wouldn’t be a big deal. Plus, you know that 15 minutes that you’re stressing about what your test results are? Well, the staff was really great and got me to relax during the wait. Even just sitting in their extremely well-​decorated/​homey little office made me feel better than sitting in a sterile hospital waiting room. One of their testing staff, Anthony, had such an outrageous sense of humor that I felt more like I was chilling w/​my friends than taking a test. He was a huge factor for putting me at ease.
And on top of all that, it was all FREE. And yes… I’m Asian, you know i’m looking to find a good deal. They even throw in freebies, like condoms and other stuff y’all need.
Anyway, I’ll be coming here now any time I need a test. Because, when I walk through the door, it feels more like a cool hang-​out spot than a sterile torturous waiting room with bitchy staff.

Time for real-​talk.
Writing this review is one of the hardest tasks that I’ve ever had to do in my life.
2 years ago, I picked up a DUI leaving a Hotel Awards Ceremony. I made an illegal U-​turn while leaving the event and got popped. It was the most demoralizing, single-​moment, of my life. There is no excuse for my decision-​making. Driving drunk is irresponsible and the negative results are incomprehensible. Thank God, I did not hurt another human-​being because of my poor judgement.
With that being said, I must inform you that being convicted of a DUI is scary. Especially, when you don’t have someone to help walk you through it. Normally, there are 3 aspects that need to be completed before you can get back to your normal life routine:
1) Court– Plain and simply, it sucks. You have to wait a little over a month before sitting in front of a judge and receiving your punishment. Typically, the actual court-​appearance, is quick and painless. Depending on the details of your DUI, you will be sentenced to X-​amount of days in the weekend work program, and enforced enrollment in a Drinking and Driving class. This too, will pass.
2) Weekend Work Program– Plain and simply, it sucks. You have to show up at a pre-​set location and do crappy work for 8 hours. Nobody wants to be there and it is up to you to make the best of it. I suggest, sparking up conversation with folks that seem friendly. It’ll help the time fly by. This too, will pass.
3) Drinking and Driving Class– Plain and simply, it sucks. I chose AACI because of its location. Thankfully, I pulled Gary Lewis as my instructor and he is the man. Gary is a down-​to-​earth cat, that brings a personal approach to his classroom. His stories will enlighten you and his humor is relieving.
A DUI is not the end of the world and AACI hasn’t hindered my journey back to normalcy. They have been straight forward, respectful, and Gary has been a blessing. I will be done with all of my DUI crap, shortly, and after all is said and done, I will leave you with a quote:
«This too, will pass»
.

Darius is the man!
I go here for the DUI classes, and I thought it would be a dread going to class to watch videos and talk about our problems, but Darius makes the class fun and somewhat enjoyable. He shows us ways of staying out of trouble, and avoiding cops during certain situations and days. He has some really good true life stories to tell about his clients that are really interesting to hear.
Even though he’s the only counselor I’ve had so far, I think he might be the best one there. So if you guys ever get caught up, make sure you go to AACI and see Darius. He’s the man!

OH GOD, I got a DUI… and spent my 22^nd birthday in jail… [woop-​dee-​doo]… my lawyer told me to go here, knowing that this place is a lot more enjoyable than most… and even though it was a punishment, this is a GREAT PLACE TO MEET PEOPLE! hahaha… [I kid you not… you can ask my boyfriend… haha.]
Celso isn’t too bad for the actual program… sitting there and listening to introductions as to how people got canned is sorta’ funny — you’ll hear stories that outdo your own, so you really end up not having it so bad…
I had Gary for my group sessions, and he was supremely honest. He will teach you things in life as well as how to stay outta’ trouble with alcohol… «Did you know homeless people will buy a loaf of bread and strain rubbing alcohol through it to drink?» — What does straining it through bread make for drinkable liquor? damned if I know, but that’s what Gary says… from hearing stories of recovering alcoholics downing a bottle of mouthwash for a quick fix… and others — you can help share your stories, and really understand the meaning of addiction.
I learned a lot there, and I don’t mind revealing this small embarrassing tid-​bit of information to help you out in time of need… because no one ever knows what to do when they get a DUI… its a scary ordeal. and if I had more people helping me out, it might have been a little more bearable, but it is a punishment… AACI just makes it easier to go through it all without feeling like a convict.