A Head Start Community to Call Home

In 2024, Karla and her two sons picked up their whole lives and moved from El Centro to San Diego. Little did she know, this wouldn’t be the biggest change they’d make.

Luis and Karla found support and community at ECS Highland Head Start. April 2026.

At the time, Karla’s kids were 6 and 3 years old. Her youngest, Luis, was raised during the COVID-19 lockdowns, something she believes led to concerning communication issues. Unlike his older brother, he was timid and quiet. At this age, it’s essential for children to develop the foundational skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives. Karla’s worries grew, and she asked herself: “How badly would my little boy struggle when it came time to start his education?” On top of that, Karla is most comfortable speaking in her native language, Spanish. She was unsure how well she would navigate an unfamiliar school system in a new city using English. Scared and miles away from her family, Karla knew she needed help.

When searching online, she discovered an ECS Head Start site just five minutes from her home. Immediately, she felt a weight lift from her chest. “The first day that I came, the school staff was very kind and empathetic,” she said. They reassured her that Luis would be in good hands. Luckily, she learned that plenty of ECS Head Start staff are bilingual, ensuring that she and Luis would be able to communicate easily and that language would not stand in the way of his education.

Now, two years later, Luis has changed for the better.

Head Start’s comprehensive wraparound services support both children and parents. April 2026.

“He’s very friendly; he’s in sports,” Karla beamed. Her son’s newfound confidence was once a dream for her. “He’s very intentional and explains what he’s feeling,” she pointed out, something Luis was unable to do before joining Head Start. He learned how to express difficult emotions such as fear or anger rather than staying quiet and holding in his feelings. He even made a close friend on his soccer team.

Just last year, Luis struggled to write the letter “S.” Now, thanks to the strong foundation built by his dedicated Head Start teachers, he can confidently write his own name. At ECS, teachers closely monitor each child’s development and tailor support to their individual needs.

Although Head Start is designed to guide children, Luis was not the only one who experienced growth while in the program. Karla was introduced to the Head Start Parent Committee, which advocates the needs of students and their families. With the support of ECS staff, Karla became an active member of the school community.

Luis and Karla read a book together at ECS Highland Head Start. April 2026.

“They gave me the opportunity to participate,” she detailed with a smile. For the past two years, she’s represented her son’s school site on the committee. Despite her limited English, staff provided encouragement and assistance as needed. She’s gained valuable experience, including championing Head Start programs during a period of funding uncertainties. Karla recognizes the importance of continued support for early childhood education on all levels, as she’s seen the impact firsthand.

ECS’ programs are closely connected, providing families with access to Para Las Familias — our no-cost mental health service for children and parents — and the Family Engagement Center, which Karla acknowledges are necessary for many families. She was also very moved by the staff’s attention to detail when supporting each child. At ECS Head Start, there is a smaller group of children per class, so even quiet students like Luis are never left behind.

“I completely recommend it [Head Start,]” Karla shared. “They take care of the kids’ development and also... of the families.” She strongly believes that children cannot develop well if their family lacks support.

Soon, Luis will age out of Head Start and begin a new journey in kindergarten. "I’m going to miss this school a lot,” Karla said. “This school has been my house.” Over one hundred miles from their loved ones, Karla and Luis found Head Start — a strong educational asset and a lifechanging support system. While her son has grown to be a “super goalie” with improved social skills, Karla has also learned to be less afraid and take advantage of new opportunities.

“[I] feel proud of my kids... and me.”

ECS Head Start accepts children aged 0-5 and provides comprehensive wraparound services that benefit them and their families. For more about Head Start’s services, eligibility, or ECS in general, please visit Head Start & Early Head Start — Episcopal Community Services.

It Takes a Village

“It takes a village to raise a child” is an old and common saying, but its truth runs deep. It certainly did for Jennifer and her three children – Soul, Aura, and Irie – all under four years old. 

Heidi, Family Engagement Specialist, was an integral part of Jennifer’s experience at the FEC. April 2026.

When Jennifer’s family moved to San Diego, she lacked the community and support she needed. Her new identity as a wife and mother also left her feeling lost about who she was as an individual. “I had just had two babies; I was going through post-partum and changes having children,” she said. The responsibility of raising three young children in a new city meant she had no time to herself to enjoy her own interests, create community, or rediscover herself. 

While pregnant with her second child, Jennifer started the search for childcare support options in San Diego. “I got a call from Head Start that they had a place,” she shared. “I had done a lot of research during my pregnancy; I was looking for extra support.” Jennifer’s family enrolled in the ECS Early Head Start Home Visitor program. At one point, all three siblings were supported by the program. While Soul has aged out, their teacher still visits to help care for Aura and Irie. 

The FEC painting classes allow parents to destress, mingle, and express their creativity. April 2026.

Jennifer promised herself that once she had childcare help, she would do something for herself. “You lose a sense of identity when you become a mother,” she said. “One of my goals when I had the Home Visitor was to do something for myself, even just taking a class.” 

When she saw an event listing a painting class at the Family Engagement Center (FEC) – ECS' community resource hub – Jennifer decided to give it a try. “I’ve never been into paint before; I didn’t think it was me,” she said. “I did it just to find something to do for myself. I went with my baby, she was only six or seven months. I realized with this paint class, everything in my life was go go go... I was just depleted... when I sat down to paint, I remember it was like the world stood still for a minute, because with painting you can’t rush.”  

In her first painting class at FEC, Jennifer found unexpected peace and a much-needed outlet. Heidi, ECS’ Family Engagement Specialist, facilitated the class and helped keep Irie calm so Jennifer could focus on her painting. Jennifer shared that the moment of relaxation and calm caused her to burst into tears; the bottled-up emotions finally had a chance to escape. When she did, Heidi was there for her in that long overdue moment.   

Jennifer found a safe place to recharge at the ECS Family Engagement Center. April 2026.

“From there it was once a month. I made a commitment to myself to go,” Jennifer said. Now, she has a place to unwind, bond with other mothers, and develop a newfound talent. “I’ve gotten compliments on my paintings,” she said. “I never saw myself as an artist.” 

After that, Jennifer dove headfirst into FEC. She has acquired free resources like diapers, books, and clothes from Sharia’s Closet. “I was able to pick stuff out for, not just my kids, but also for myself,” she said. Her children are entertained in the playroom while she uses the computer lab. Jennifer also brings her kids to the home base socializations held at FEC so they can play with other children, and she can meet other parents. “I make use of every part of that place. It’s really become a second home away from home,” she said. 

One of the most impactful FEC resources for Jennifer’s family are the free screenings offered by San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) at FEC. The promise of free diapers initially drew her in, but that first screening resulted in something much bigger: her oldest child’s autism diagnosis. While she was shocked at first, Jennifer shared her gratitude for the diagnosis, and the care Soul can now receive. “There are a lot of parents now I see who are new; I see the denial of the truth. Now I know the quicker you know the better, so I always advocate for getting your child screened,” Jennifer said. “It’s helped me be an advocate for my children in voicing what their needs are and gives me more knowledge and tools.”  

The Family Engagement Center has free activities for both parents and children to enjoy. April 2026.

Jennifer is passionate about being an advocate for others and sharing information about FEC. She has helped connect other families – especially those with neurodiverse children – to the resources that helped her. 

The FEC helped Jennifer build a community, not just for her kids, but also for herself. She has a space to swap resources and ideas, and to gain control of her identity as a wife, as a mother, and as Jennifer.  

“It’s helped me journey as a mother of a special needs child. They were able to give me the steppingstones in the right direction. It's also helped connect me with the community,” she said. “It’s helping me build my village for me and my kids, helping me find my new identity as a mom.” 

And to think, it all started with a painting class.  

The Family Engagement Center provides a welcoming space where parents can access essential resources, services, and classes. Events are free and open to the public. See the ECS Calendar to check out what’s upcoming.

How CERRC Turned Kim's Life Around

Kim had lost everything: her home, her vehicle, her job. Due to her 20-year struggle with substance use disorder, her family disowned her, and she turned to crime. “I was clearly on my way to jail if I did not turn myself around,” she said.

Tired of a life ruined by substance use, Kim found her way to ECS Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC). CERRC provided support she didn’t even know she needed.

Now, over a year later, Kim’s life has changed for the better. CERRC’s specialized services connected her with the resources she needed to pull herself out of unemployment and homelessness. Kim secured her own apartment, restarted her accounting career, and purchased a car. Most importantly, she is on great terms with her family, including her granddaughter who encouraged her recovery.

“I’ve had family members say, ‘Kim, you’re a different person,’ and I am.”

She was so inspired by CERRC that she started an LLC—All of Me Recovery ("olive me,”) support for sober living, in honor of her granddaughter Olive and late mother Meme.

Her journey is proof that compassion, accessible resources, and specialized services can change your path completely.

ECS CERRC provides outpatient treatment services to adults with substance use disorders. To learn more, visit CERRC — Episcopal Community Services.

Kim changed her life with support from CERRC’s specialized services. October 2025.

A New Beginning

CERRC helped Taylor achieve a fresh start.

Taylor’s journey to sobriety was not a linear journey. His path came with ups and downs, challenges that caused him to take steps backwards after months of fighting to get ahead. He found himself caught in a cycle of homelessness and addiction that continued for a decade. Sometimes it was the pressure of working as many as four jobs at once, sometimes it was codependency, and other times it was the well-meaning attempt to go back to the streets to try and help others that ended up pulling Taylor back into that cycle. 

Taylor found comfort and strength in his faith during his recovery.

Taylor was homeless for a year and a half before finding help at ECS. He hit rock bottom and decided that enough was enough. “My last three weeks of using were very depressive,” he said. “I was addicted to heroin and I was using on an everyday level for so long: for probably six months to a year to where I was dependent on it.” In that time, Taylor turned to God. He relinquished the reins, trusting that he would be guided on the right path. Soon enough, Taylor found himself at a residential men’s treatment facility and upon graduation, found ECS Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC) as his next step. 

At CERRC, Taylor gained valuable perspective, relapse prevention skills, and supportive community. CERRC placed him in a sober living community and surrounded him with a group of counselors and peers that helped him remain focused and steady on his journey to recovery. He felt that the staff were intentional and compassionate; they took the time to truly know him and create a family feeling within his group. “That group that was established and that kind of camaraderie really was what helped get me through,” he said. “While we were doing painting or whatever activity it was, we'd be talking about discovery and getting to know each other, you know, celebrating each other's successes.” 

The supportive community of CERRC and the sober living uplifted Taylor on his journey.

After graduating from the program at CERRC, Taylor remained in his sober living community. “One of the things I've lost in my past was, I get so focused on my life and my direction that I would just lose connection with everyone else,” he shared. Now he has people to hold him accountable. He enjoys the communal support at the sober living and continues to attend meetings regularly. 

Taylor also found community beyond CERRC. Work in particular brought a special connection. A devout employee, Taylor would be the first person on site every day. The superintendent of the site would also arrive early. During those early mornings, they began to share their life stories with each other. As fate would have it, the superintendent was also sober and saw qualities in Taylor that reminded him of his own recovery journey. The superintendent, recognizing Taylor’s effort at work, recommended him for a position at the property management company of the building they were constructing. 

The interview went well and Taylor was hired, but a few weeks later the company contacted him after examining his criminal record. “They were like, ‘we just wanted to let you know that we never hire anyone who has a felony on their record, but we're going to give you this opportunity, please don't mess it up,’” he said. They gave him a three-month probationary period which he breezed through. “I'm now a supervisor; I'm making more money than I've ever made in my whole life.”  

Taylor now owns a car, his credit score is improving, and he has inner peace. “If you would have asked me a year ago if I would be where I am today, I would have said ‘no.’ I thought I was going a completely different direction,” he said. He shared that he used to be scared to have control of his life, but now he feels he has the guidance he needs from CERRC, his peers, and – above all – God. 

Taylor’s advice for new CERRC clients, or just other people recovering from substance use, is “to give themselves a chance, be open minded, and take that first step.” Taylor hopes they can trust that God has a plan for them. 

ECS’ outpatient treatment program at CERRC helps people like Taylor recover from substance use and begin again.

CERRC was a powerful part of Taylor’s journey, and he shared that it was the people there that made the difference for him. “What I felt with everyone here [at CERRC] was so beautiful,” he said. “It just tells how much everyone cares.” No matter how busy the counselors got, they always had time for him and cared for him in a real way. “I felt like my life was worth it. And I know everybody else did, too.” In a letter to ECS, Taylor wrote, “Through hard work, both on my inner self and on the job, I have been blessed with an opportunity to begin a new life.” 

ECS CERRC helps people like Taylor reclaim their lives and start over, but that help is not possible without generous support. Your donation can provide toiletry kits, food, bus passes, and more for clients, supporting their needs as they take the first steps of recovery. To give your support to CERRC and other ECS programs visit www.ecscalifornia.org/donate.