Maac Project

Only ever had positive experiences with these guys. And the budget cuts affect white guys as well as other. That’s just how it is. So you can stuff your foot back into your mouth. These people do what they can do, on some days you have to call within a window of 2 hours and it’s busy constantly. But it’s first come, first served. Also has to do if you qualify, if you don’t, then shut up.
These people have literally saved my life once 14 years ago– back when the budget was even worse.

DUI program, Bridge to Employment, VITA tax clinics, career programs, charter school and affordable housing programs. Very helpful organization.

For me, MAAC Project started off strong. They were serious about testing and help. They «strive to give you the tools for self-​sufficiency.» But then, you jump through the hoops and fulfill every requirement. Suddenly, there isn’t enough money or appointment time due to budget cuts. If you complain, you are on your own. Good people come and go (I guess it’s systemic – why should good people be underpaid and overworked)?
Like most institutions out there, the beginning is full of promise. It’s when you actually need help/​follow-​through that you become a problem. Would I recommend it? Depends… If you have the time, but not the money, it makes sense to ask for help. But what if help is not forthcoming or cut-​off due to lack of funds? What if you complain? As mentioned earlier, then you are on your own. If you know how to work the system, by all means… Otherwise, you are better off relying on yourself and working with the Career Centers. Do they have any funding?

Called each Monday for energy assistance. A big joke. You can never get through. Yeah, I understand, funding is low, etc, etc. but at least have someone to answer your call. Seems like they just block all incoming calls on Mondays.

African Americans are discriminated against. They’ll have you on hold for hours at a time with 1 person taking calls, Then once they discover you’re African American they’ll say they don’t have any appointments available call back next monday. You can hear in their voices that they have no concern about your need for assistance. I had Sandra who said she was a supervisor tell me, We assist alot of people, I bet they do and I’m sure the majority isn’t African American.

The only experience I have with this building is via DUI court appointed education classes and group sessions. So my review really will be about only that, not about any of the other offered educational and community programs.
As far as the program goes, its pretty much the standard do your time and be done with it so you can get your life to some relative normalcy. That really depends on how busted you got as well, I did the standard 6month gig so it went fairly quickly. Education is very dry and really comes down to your instructor on how smoothly that portion of your punishment goes. I’m not gonna lie though, they do give you enough information that will have you thinking twice if you are in that frame of mind. Some folks here definitely need a wake up call, and for some of us, we’re just trying to get it done.
Group sessions are a little more chill, basically just a round robin of talking about issues of alcoholism and how the system is pretty crappy for promoting such a bad habit, but shuns all other drugs. Alcohol is a drug, its just one that happens to be legal, thats just how the government rolls on it. You get some interesting folks in your groups and you share your stories of getting busted and in my opinion you can make some friends here for the duration of your time. As much as it is a punishment it can also be support group to help each other get through the process of getting your license (and for some, their life back). Bring an open mind to the sessions so you can get the most out of it, don’t waste your time here being angry, that energy can be used in other ways for sure. The system is flawed, but dont waste your energy here being angry about how the flawed system doesn’t really do a good job with prevention; get in, get out, do your time, and learn from it… then take that knowledge and pay it forward so others dont have to learn the hard way.

«The Mission of the MAAC Project is to promote self-​sufficiency for low and moderate income families and communities of Southern California through advocacy for, and delivery of, social, educational, housing and employment services.»
MAAC will pursue our mission by offering the various communities in San Diego County a helping hand, by bridging the path to self-​sufficiency, and by building and enhancing self-​esteem.
About MAAC
The MAAC Project is a multi-​purpose social service agency with a successful 43 year history of serving various communities throughout San Diego County. In 1965, MAAC Project opened its doors to serve San Diego’s disadvantaged. One million clients later, MAAC is still acting as a catalyst to help individuals and families become self-​sufficient. MAAC provides a spectrum of unique programs designed to assist clients by engaging them in the enhancement of their own lives through lifestyle changes. The programs strive to improve clients’ economic standing as well as their ability to access resources available to them.
As one of the most successful social service agencies in the county, MAAC has continuously assisted low-​income clients in achieving a higher level of self-​sufficiency. Our clients want what everyone wants, a sense of security, viability and self-​reliance. MAAC exists to help them achieve it.
MAAC serves over 35,000 individuals per year and over the past 43 years has touched the lives of over 1,000,000 clients. Employing over 300 personnel, MAAC staffs 35 sites bringing to its constituents empowering social services, health components, a state of arts charter school, technology centers, economic development, affordable housing… building community. MAAC maintains and continues to instill in every program under its umbrella the object of its mission… the achievement of self-​esteem and self-​sufficiency.
MAAC has become one of San Diego’s most distinguished and comprehensive social service agencies. MAAC serves San Diego County families through HeadStart/​FirstStart, nutritional programs, low-​income home weatherization and improvement, two notable and culturally specific recovery homes, award winning affordable housing complexes and a charter school.
The availability of secure and attractive homes and the development of a community, which provides access to childcare, pre-​school, recreational activities, computer training, job referrals, and services designed to enhance the livability and viability of the neighborhood, builds pride and self-​respect. In turn, this leads to self-​development, respect for others, and citizenship participation. These are MAAC’s goals. This is the path and direction on which MAAC has embarked.