ECS to Open New "Safe Haven" in Midway District

Mayor Todd Gloria (front left); ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons (front middle); County Board Chair Nathan Fletcher (front right), and other business and healthcare professionals pose after the press conference. December 2022.

We're excited to announce that ECS is expanding its efforts to support our most vulnerable community members.

Our brand new, 22-bed Community Harm Reduction Team (C-HRT) Safe Haven in the Midway District of Point Loma, San Diego, is set to open soon, providing a safe and supportive space for individuals referred by Family Health Centers.

Our compassionate and empathetic team is dedicated to providing evidence-based care, with both lived and professional experience, to help clients on their journey to wellness.

We’re appreciative of Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and Mayor Todd Gloria for their support and leadership in this initiative.

Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference – join us in supporting this critical initiative and get involved.

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons Speaks at the C-HRT Press Conference

More about C-HRT Safe Haven

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons, speaking at the press conference. December 2022.

ECS leadership and Behavioral Health Director (middle) complete the facility tour. December 2022.

Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager Angel Ibarra (left); Communications Director Adrienne Wilkerson; County Board Chair Nathan Fletcher; and Vice President of Programs Stacie Perez (right) after the C-HRT Safe Haven facility tour. December 2022.

ECS Honors HIV/AIDS Awareness Month

This December, we’re honoring HIV/AIDS Awareness month by advocating for accessible treatment for all. Housing and substance use disorders (SUD) are crucial components of HIV/AIDS treatment and management.

HIV/AIDS and homelessness are intricately related. Unhoused people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) face many challenges in managing their health, including difficulties following medical routines due to their living conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “17% of people with diagnosed HIV experienced homelessness or other forms of unstable housing in 2020.”

Moreover, the CDC reports that SUD is closely associated with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Alcohol, opioids, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and inhalants are common substances associated with high-risk behaviors that increase the likelihood of exposure to HIV. Substance use can accelerate disease progression, interfere with adherence to medical treatment, and worsen the overall consequences of HIV.

We offer programs like Uptown Safe Haven, *Community Harm Reduction Team (C-HRT) Safe Haven, ACCORD, and CERRC which provide housing stability and behavioral health services to unhoused individuals while supporting their overall health. By addressing these complex issues, we help improve the lives of PLWHA and reduce the spread of the disease.

How can you help?
1. Utilize our website to share information about our programs.
2. Encourage others to donate to our programs.
3. Continue discussing the importance of stable housing and SUD as factors for HIV/AIDS treatment. By having these meaningful conversations, we exercise compassion and aid in dismantling barriers that affect underserved communities.
4. Share the HIV Risk Reduction Tool with others.

*C-HRT Safe Haven, a new ECS program, will open by the end of December.

ECS Attends the 2022 Live Well Advance Conference & School Summit

Live Well San Diego aligns the efforts of individuals, organizations, and the government to help residents enjoy a better quality of life.

Several ECS staff members attended the Live Well Advance Conference & School Summit at the San Diego Conference Center on Dec. 7. The event provided an opportunity to promote ECS’s services and connect with other organizations in the same or complementary industries. The conference welcomed over 2,000 participants, and ECS was one of the few selected partners to have a booth in the Connection Hub.

Additionally, on Dec. 12, Leslie Manriquez, Para Las Familias (PLF) Program Manager, gave an excellent presentation to advance the knowledge of our PLF program and to strengthen partnership opportunities for the Live Well San Diego South Regional leadership team.

Live Well San Diego Regional leadership teams bring together community groups in each region to make way for collaborative planning and organizing efforts.

ECS continues to make vital connections in the community to expand our reach and further our purpose of cultivating a strong, vibrant, and just San Diego region.

ECS staff at the Live Well Advance Conference & School Summit at the San Diego Convention Center. December 2022.

Leslie Manriquez, PLF Program Manager, presenting at the Live Well South Regional Leadership Team Meeting. December 2022.

ECS Participates in The Good News Festival

ECS staff members from administration, CERRC, ACCORD, Para Las Familias, and other programs manned ECS’s booth at The Good News Festival throughout the day. December 2022.

What a weekend! Dec. 9 – 10, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (EDSD) took over the Town and Country Resort to welcome Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and the Reverend. Dr. William Barber II to Southern California to remind San Diegans that the good news of Christ is alive and well.

You could say that both speakers are a big deal, as Curry delivered the sermon at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding and is a several-time published author, and Barber is a nationally known Disciples of Christ pastor and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign.

ECS participated throughout the weekend to demonstrate support as the community services function of EDSD and to share information about our services with festival attendees.

On Friday evening, EDSD hosted The Bishop’s Reception & Dinner as an opportunity to fellowship and learn more about EDSD’s mission and vision. During dinner, guests listened in as San Diego Bishop and ECS Board Member Susan Brown Snook and Curry discussed his insight and perspective on what it means to love. Their conversation was only an appetizer for Saturday evening’s main event – the revival service.

On Saturday afternoon, EDSD simultaneously held the Holiday Marketplace and The Good News Workshops. The Holiday Marketplace was filled with nonprofit organizations like ECS and Plant with Purpose, and small businesses like Mama Africa Catering. Several ECS staff members from administration, CERRC, ACCORD, Para Las Familias, and other programs manned ECS’s booth throughout the day.

Later in the afternoon, Elizabeth Fitzsimmons, Chief Executive Officer of ECS, Dinora Reyna-Gutierrez, Executive Director of San Diego Organizing Project, and Paige Eaves, Assistant District Director of South District in the United Methodist Church, joined forces to discuss how faith-based communities can begin affordable housing initiatives in their areas. The workshop was standing room only as participants were attentive to the conversation, ready to take ideas back to their communities.

Curry ended the festival Saturday night with a heartfelt and humorous revival message filled with hope, restoration, and love. Barber was also scheduled to preach but cancelled due to illness.

If you missed the Saturday evening service, you may view it here.

Curry also preached at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral the following day.

Episcopal News Service article: Presiding bishop preaches ‘love always’ at San Diego’s Good News Festival.

ECS staff and board members enjoy the Bishop’s Reception at the Town and Country Resort. December 2022.

ECS staff and family attend the revival at the Town and Country Resort. December 2022.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaching at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. December 2022.