American Indian Changing Spirits

Who We Are

American Indian Changing Spirits (AICS) was founded in response to the loss of critical Native recovery programs in California, including Eagle Lodge Recovery, American Indian Free Clinics, and Main Artery Recovery, which left a devastating gap in services for Native communities. In the summer of 1999, a group of dedicated Native community members began meeting at Grace United Methodist Church in Long Beach, California, united by a shared vision: to create a culturally grounded recovery program that honored Native identity, spirituality, and tradition in ways mainstream approaches never could has served Native communities and more in its residential substance use treatment program for the past 25 years.

On April 15, 2000, their program was presented to the Los Angeles County Alcohol and Drug Program Administration. Funded by L.A. County and Access to Indian Recovery (AIR), AICS opened its doors in July 2000 at a small storefront on Pacific Avenue with just 15 beds, later relocating to the Villages of Cabrillo. In January 2019, AICS expanded its mission by launching the Changing Spirits Women's Program. More than a recovery program, AICS weaves together community, culture, and spirituality to help Native individuals reclaim identity, restore balance, and reconnect with the traditions that have sustained their people for generations.

At Changing Spirits, our facility serves as a vital resource for the greater Los Angeles area, offering accessible treatment options through Los Angeles County Medi-Cal, Tribal funding, and Private Pay arrangements. We understand that seeking help is a significant step, and we’re committed to making our services available to everyone in need.

Behavioral Health Services, Inc. provides evidence-based clinical treatment, and a Native American Board of Directors oversees the cultural/spiritual practices. American Indian Changing Spirits treats the whole person.

We offer culturally-relevant programming such as sweat lodge, talking circles, beading and sewing circles, gardening, outings to cultural events, and more, combined with evidence-based treatment including counseling and education services, case management, discharge planning, MAT services, harm reduction practices, therapy, etc., provided by our team of trained professionals and peer-based providers.

Testimonials

San Manuel Mission Band of Indians presented American Indian Changing Spirits with the 2018 Yawa Award for "their integrity, dedication, and accountability with which they give their service."

Our Elders

Rene has spent over half his life working with Tongva/ Acjachemen Spiritual Leader Jimi Castillo. Rene has continued the teachings Jimi gave him by counseling our clients at Changing Spirits, acting as Wing Man for the Statewide Bear Clan, participating in community ceremonies, and helping lead the sweat lodge ceremony for our clients in recovery.

Kem volunteered in prisons with Jimi Castillo for over 30 years and, as a registered pharmaceutical nurse, ensured lodge participants' safety. Uncle Jimi’s beliefs align closely with Kem’s understanding of life and his own experiences. Kem’s decision to dedicate much of his life to helping Jimi stemmed from Jimi’s purpose: to help others find their own way. He believed we should be judged by who we truly are, not by our worst actions. All of that has guided Kem’s own life, and he has always tried to live by the ideal of “finding the best of me in me.”

Rick Carroll has volunteered for Changing Spirits for over a decade, assisting Jimi Castillo with sweat lodge needs such as cutting wood. As a registered nurse specializing in mental health, Rick also oversees sweat lodge participants' well-being.