Head Start Wellness Day at Rohr Park

Wellness Day joy with Head Start Team. May 2023.

ECS Head Start's Wellness Day at Rohr Park was a vibrant gathering filled with laughter, music, and togetherness. The staff enjoyed tasty tacos and engaged in activities like meditation and karaoke, deepening their camaraderie. Awards were presented to those with various years of service, symbolizing their heartfelt commitment.

We appreciate our Head Start staff's efforts and recognize their profound impact on shaping the young minds of tomorrow. To learn more about our Head Start program, visit www.ecsheadstart.org.

Comradery smiles during Wellness Day. May 2023.

Wellness Day with Head Start staff. May 2023.

Moonlight Ball 2023: Transforming Communities

ECS supporters gather together at the Moonlight Ball gala. May 2023.

SAN DIEGO — We are humbled by the overwhelming outpour of compassion and generosity that radiated throughout the evening as ECS friends and supporters rallied together to support our services and programs.

ECS leadership enjoy the event. May 2023.

We are profoundly grateful for the overwhelming response and the remarkable turnout we witnessed. Each guest who honored us with their presence showcased an unwavering dedication to breaking barriers and transforming communities. Your collective support has left an indelible mark that fuels our determination to continue making a lasting impact, and for that, we are eternally thankful.

A fun filled evening focused on continuing ECS’ mission to break barriers and transform communities. May 2023.

ECS CEO Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg, Mayor Todd Gloria, and ECS Assoc. Director of Strategic Partnerships Angel Ibarra pose for a photo at the gala. May 2023.

CEO Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg’s Thursday Visits

SAN DIEGO — Our CEO, Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg, continued her weekly tradition of Thursday visits, this time to our Harbison Head Start Center.

Leading by example, ECS CEO Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg connects with the dedicated staff at Harbison Head Start. May 2023.

Each Thursday, Wilberg makes it a priority to personally connect with our various programs, embodying the essence of leadership and demonstrating the importance of engagement across all levels of our organization. Her visits are a testament to her commitment and a reminder that every role, individual, and child matters in fulfilling the mission of Episcopal Community Services.

Her attendance is more than just a leadership visit – it demonstrates our belief that everyone has a role in fostering an abundant and equitable society where all have unlimited potential.

As a team, we strive to make this vision a reality, and we invite you to join us by visiting www.ecscalifornia.org to learn more.

Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg and a Head Start student work together diligently to construct a creative project. May 2023.

A Head Start student impresses CEO Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg with their jumping skills. May 2023.

ECS Head Start Collaborates with the Empathy in Nature Project

SAN DIEGO — In April, ECS Head Start had the opportunity to partner with the Empathy in Nature Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing social-emotional, nature-based preschool education. As a result of this collaboration, an "Empathy Garden" was created at Highland Head Start in National City.

North end of the Highland Head Start Empathy Garden where children will connect with nature and watch the garden grow. April 2023.

This outdoor learning environment provides children with the opportunity to explore and play in nature, fostering a love of the environment and promoting social-emotional development. The garden's opening was attended by Head Start staff and supporters, who were thrilled to see the fruits of their labor. They were able to walk around and explore the garden, which is filled with various natural elements that encourage curiosity and discovery.

Thanks to the Empathy in Nature Project and their partnership with ECS Head Start, children now have access to a safe and inclusive space to connect with nature and learn valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. The "Empathy Garden" is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of providing children with accessible and inclusive high-quality early childhood education.

VP of Administration Hazzy Pipo, Interim Head Start Director Linda Borja, Head Start District Manager Nerissa Torralba, Area Supervisor Joan Borgonia, Family Engagement Specialist Heidi Avent, and the Empathy in Nature Project team members gather for a picture next to a treasure chest donated to Highland Head Start full of teaching materials. April 2023.