SAN DIEGO – ECS partnered with the San Diego Loyal Soccer Club for the third year in a row, yielding a collaboration with significant rewards. Players from the Loyal team visited St. John’s Head Start for a field day on September 14. During their visit, Loyal players and staff were given a school tour before joining students, teachers, and parents outside for various festivities. The day was filled with games, drawings, and many opportunities for the children and players to interact.
Michael Chilaka, who plays the central back position and is a new addition to the Loyal, shared his feelings about the visit: “It’s a great honor for me to know the community and to share the moments with the young guys and families here,” Chilaka stated.
America Gomez, the mother of Agustine - who’s attended St. John’s Head Start for two years, also voiced her thoughts on the Loyal’s visit. “My kids have grown up with soccer, so having a team like the Loyal come down to visit us is pretty cool,” Gomez said.
Head Start students, staff, parents, and Loyal players take a group photo at field day. September 2023.
“The connection we’ve established with the San Diego Loyal transcends the soccer field,” reflected Adrienne Wilkerson, ECS Communications Director. “It’s a vivid illustration of the synergy and unity achieved when organizations align around common values. And together, we’re fostering beneficial change in the community.”
On September 24, the San Diego Loyal squared off against the Las Vegas Lights FC at Torero Stadium. Notably, the match culminated in a 1-1 draw, showcasing the Loyal’s tenacity on the field. As the season unfolds, the Loyal’s potential playoff spot remains within reach. ECS showcased its unwavering support throughout the game, with numerous representatives present. Twenty-two kids, fourteen Head Start families, several Para Las Familias (PLF) families, and other distinguished ECS staff and board members were in attendance.
Monica Sandoval, an ECS Child Development Specialist Supervisor, spoke about the event’s significance and profound impact on the families. “The partnerships we do here are very important,” Sandoval remarked, “I saw the excitement and the joy of the people that were riding the bus [to the event]; we’re so glad to be part of this adventure.”
ECS’ alliance with the Loyal opened wonderful opportunities for ECS families. Stefani Polonia, Vice President of Ticket Sales, Service, and Memberships for the San Diego Loyal, discussed the mutual benefits of the partnership with ECS. “A lot of the things that are important to us are giving back and volunteering. We’ve done over a thousand hours of community service as an organization,” Polonia shared.
Building on that sentiment, Polonia added that the Loyal sees their fans as family, and building community is central to their brand. “You’re out there really making an impact on people outside of being here on match day. So, you get to build those unique relationships and get introduced to new organizations,” she stated.
ECS Board Member Ana Lozano emphasized the importance of such collaborations. “We’re making sure that families feel that they are part of the community, and part of the community is being involved with the professional teams that support great organizations like Episcopal Community Services,” she expressed.
ECS families and staff pose for a picture before the soccer match. September 2023.
Although 2023 will mark the Loyal’s final season, their legacy will be felt, especially within the ECS family. “Those families… will forever remember that story, that experience,” Polonia said. “People who are sports fans, they think about the first time they went to a game with their parents… and those memories, they will always remember that.”
For more information about ECS’ early childhood programs, including Head Start and PLF, visit Episcopal Community Services at ecscalifornia.org.