Mission to Washington, D.C.

San Diego leaders in D.C. advocating for our region. April 2025.

ECS recently returned from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Mission to Washington, D.C., where CEO Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg and Director of Communications & Advocacy Adrienne Wilkerson engaged with local, state, and federal legislators to advocate for policies that uplift children, families, and communities across the San Diego region.

During the trip, they spoke with Representatives John Garamendi and Sara Jacobs, highlighting the importance of maintaining federal funding for Head Start and expanding support for early education programs.

ECS puts advocacy into action, interacting with San Diego and government leaders to garner support for our programs. April 2025.

They also participated in healthcare meetings with the offices of Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff and Representative Juan Vargas to emphasize the need for continued access to Medicaid for essential health services.

Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg (left) and Adrienne Wilkerson (right) build connections in D.C. April 2025.

ECS continues to champion solutions that strengthen its staff, support clients, and build a more equitable San Diego—on Capitol Hill and at home.

Learn more about ECS’ advocacy efforts: ecscalifornia.org/advocacy.

Open House at New CERRC Facility

CERRC staff, donors, and clients celebrate the new facility. January 2025.

SAN DIEGO — Since 2017, ECS Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC) has been offering substance use recovery services to the community, ensuring clients are met with the utmost respect, compassion, and support. In August, CERRC found a new home to continue offering these services. The ECS community came together on Thursday to celebrate the new facility and the expansion of the program.

(From left to right) CEO Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg, Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, and CERRC Case Manager Stephanie Duffy pose for a photo. January 2025.

Guests were given tours of the new facility by staff and learned about the services offered at CERRC. ECS CEO Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg, San Diego County District Four Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, and CERRC Case Manager and former client Stephanie Duffy all spoke, sharing their gratification for the new facility and the continuance of CERRC’s work.

CERRC staff give guests a tour of the new building. January 2025.

Duffy, a current Case Manager at CERRC, was deeply impacted by the program as a former client. She shared that she had no family in California, so when she came to CERRC she told her counselor, “You’re my support.” They came through, guiding Stephie along each step of her recovery journey. “I’m really grateful because I know that this place, this building is going to change a lot of people’s lives,” Duffy said.

San Diego County was among the guests at the open house. January 2025.

The open house proved a valuable time for community members to engage with ECS and CERRC. ECS Board Member La Monica Everett-Haynes reflected on this and stated, “Having events and activities like this, it’s all about community building and helping us relate to one another which is the foundation of our work.”

CERRC is also preparing to expand its services through the addition of ambulatory withdrawal management and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). “Our vision is to make CERRC a cornerstone of community support, offering an innovative and comprehensive program that truly makes a difference,” said Embrie Tapia, Director of Behavioral Health Services at ECS.

The ECS Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC), funded by San Diego County Behavioral Health Services, provides outpatient treatment services to adults with substance use disorders. To learn more about the work of ECS CERRC visit ecscalifornia.org/central-east-regional-recovery-center.

Thank You for Creating Memories with Family-to-Family 2024!

This Christmas Eve, the spirit of giving shines bright at ECS. Through our Family-to-Family for the Holidays program, 84 families and 365 individuals experienced even more joy this season.

Thank you, Angel Ibarra, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships & Government Affairs, for your leadership, and to our incredible Head Start, Para Las Familias, Central East Regional Recovery Center, and ACCORD staff for partnering with him to bring this meaningful program to life for ECS families.

We are also deeply grateful to the parish communities of St. Paul’s Cathedral and St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, along with an individual donor, whose generous contributions made it possible to provide gifts for clients at Uptown and C-HRT Safe Havens, spreading holiday cheer even further.

To each of our incredible donors, your generosity has turned holiday wishes into reality for so many. You’ve truly made this season memorable!

Thank you to everyone who participated in Family-to-Family this year. December 2024.

Family-to-Family sponsors help create lasting memories for ECS children. December 2024.

GivingTuesday at Quigley Fine Wines

SAN DIEGO — In 2012, GivingTuesday was created to counter the consumerism of the holiday season with the spirit of generosity. Since its inception, GivingTuesday has been embraced by people and organizations across the globe, including ECS and its supporters.

Friends gather and enjoy the night while supporting the work of ECS. December 2024.

This year, ECS held an event at Quigley Fine Wines to fundraise for ECS programs and celebrate the community of dedication and generosity that has allowed ECS to continue transforming lives in San Diego for nearly a century.

Guests mingled, catching up with familiar faces and meeting new ones, while enjoying a beautifully arranged charcuterie board and wines unique to Quigley.

Joanie Huck, a parishioner of Christ Church and a former member of ECS’ Board of Directors, attended the event and commented on the importance of fundraising for ECS. “A lot of the projects need funding especially the mental health ones,” she said. “It’s a hard road for our clients.”

During her time on the board, Huck worked on many fundraising events, such as the annual gala. Her passion for ECS runs deep. “We’re so diverse and our staff is so talented,” she expressed. “I just love it.”

Toward the end of the evening, Development Director Tim Whipple shared ECS’ gratitude for everyone who donated to the 2024 GivingTuesday campaign. The initial goal for the campaign was $5,000, but through the generosity of ECS supporters, the campaign reached more than double that amount, totaling over $12,000 raised.

CEO Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg delivers an engaging ECS client success story. December 2024.

ECS CEO Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg shared an impactful update to UTSH resident Maria’s story, demonstrating just how necessary and powerful ECS programs are for people across the San Diego region.

ECS extends is thanks to everyone that has supported the mission to break barriers and transform communities. Whether it be a monetary donation, volunteering of your time and talents, or advocacy for ECS’ programs and clients, you truly make a difference.

The 2024 GivingTuesday campaign has concluded, but our End-of-Year campaign is ongoing. If you feel called to give this holiday season or beyond visit ecscalifornia.org/donate.

Guests at ECS’ GivingTuesday event bonded with other ECS supporters. December 2024.

ECS’ leadership team among those at Quigley’s Fine Wines Tuesday night. December 2024.