St. Peter's Episcopal Church Thrift Shop Names ECS Their Charity of the Month

Every month, St. Peter's Episcopal Church Thrift Shop partners with a local nonprofit organization that's adding societal value through solutions and resources. Their goal is to further St. Peter's Episcopal Church’s mission to serve joyfully in the community and celebrate the love of Christ. During the month of October, the thrift shop and church invited ECS to participate in two events and provided several donation opportunities to support our mission and programs.

On Oct. 6, Angel Ibarra, ECS community and volunteer engagement manager, was invited to the thrift shop to speak with customers about ECS programs. ECS received 100% of all proceeds from the thrift shop giving jar. On Oct. 16, Ibarra and Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg, ECS CEO, spoke at two St. Peter's Sunday worship services to educate about ECS' mission, programs, and ways to give. Next, the thrift shop donated gently worn garments to ECS’s Head Start Fall Resource Fair held Oct. 21. Additionally, the thrift shop hosted October Facebook and Instagram fundraisers – ECS will receive 100% of the proceeds. And lastly, St. Peter's selected ECS as their 2022 partner for their Operation Book Support project. This initiative helps organizations raise money by selling their books and other items on consignment online.  

ECS is grateful for its long-term friendship and support from St. Peter's Episcopal Church and its thrift shop.

Valerie McShefferty Reiger, St. Peter’s Thrift Shop Manager (left); Angel Ibarra, Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager; and Timothy Whipple, Interim Development at the thrift shop. October 2022.

ECS Head Start Hosts a Fall Resource Fair

On Oct. 21, ECS Head Start hosted a well-attended resource fair at the Memorial Park in Chula Vista, California. Pre-pandemic, the Fall Resource Fair was an annual event; however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was put on hold for the last two years. Project leads Rosa Cabrera, administrative program manager, Nelly Gonzalez, family engagement specialist, and Heidi Avent, family engagement specialist, coordinated with 12 community partner agencies to provide our families with helpful resources and information. Additionally, St. Peter's Episcopal Church Thrift Shop donated gently used clothing for families in need. No one left empty-handed, as approximately 80 families with at least 120 total children received fresh pumpkins and a bag of groceries. Over 100 ECS personnel attended the event to connect with community partners, help facilitate logistics, and enjoy the fall festivities.

ECS Head Start family enjoying the Fall Resource Fair at Memorial Park in Chula Vista, California. October 2022.

ECS Head Start & Early Head Start Students Escort Players to the Field

On Oct. 9 ECS Head Start and Early Head Start students, family members, staff, and board members joined the sold-out crowd to enjoy the San Diego Loyal versus New Mexico United soccer game. At least 73 families watched ECS students escort the players to the field as a part of the pregame ceremony. The game ended in a 3-3 draw as San Diego Loyal earned another point in the Western Conference standings. Click here to view more photos.

San Diego Loyal versus New Mexico United at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California on October 9. The pregame ceremony showcased Miss San Diego, military personnel, a high school coast guard team, players, and ECS Head Start & Early Head Start students. October 2022.

Big Win for Former Uptown Safe Haven Client Tanya

For the first time in years, Tanya is spreading her wings in a major way. With a renewed lease on life, she has secured a place of her own to call home. Before Uptown Safe Haven (UTSH), Tanya was homeless, in and out of transitional housing and shelters, and struggling with schizophrenia. She used drugs to self-medicate, was off her prescribed medication, and had no support to make a change.

Tanya found the support she needed at the ECS Uptown Safe Haven homeless transitional housing program in Bankers Hill. After two years at the Safe Haven, Tanya is on her path to recovery, working part-time in the kitchen at Scripps Mercy Hospital, taking her prescribed medication, and moving into her own apartment! We’re incredibly proud and excited about Tanya’s new journey.

“I live with people who understand where I’ve been and what I want to do. The staff try to make our days fun and interesting; they are supportive and easy to talk to. The program gives so much to the residents, and right now, I am able to save for my own place,” said Tanya.

A “Safe Haven” is housing designed for individuals experiencing homelessness and living with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders. ECS has been on the front lines of the homelessness crisis since 2001 and will continue to raise awareness about the need for services tailored to individuals experiencing homelessness.

 If you’d like to support a neighbor in need, please visit www.ecscalifornia.org/donate to learn more.

*Caption date may not be exact.

Former Uptown Safe Haven Client Tanya and Timothy Whipple, Associate Director of Development. *October 2022.