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 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 (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.

How Jeff Broke Free from Fentanyl with C-HRT Safe Haven

Substance use had surrounded Jeff his whole life, but he never imagined he would become addicted. However, when he began to experience excruciating pain in his hip, he fell into the clutches of fentanyl. Control over his life vanished; he lost his job and his apartment. He tried quitting, but it felt impossible without any support.

C-HRT gave Jeff the sanctuary he needed to commit to sobriety and take his life back into his own hands. February 2025.

Luckily, Jeff found ECS C-HRT Safe Haven. C-HRT gave him a safe place to sleep, food to eat, and a community that embraced him in his recovery journey. With the help of C-HRT, Jeff went completely substance free, found a job, got a hip replacement, and moved into his own housing. The program gave him the sanctuary he needed to take back his life and move forward. Watch Jeff’s video to hear him tell his story and visit ECS C-HRT Safe Haven to learn more.

EDSD Establishes Hope with Comunidad de Luz

The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook (third from the left) and other community leaders celebrate the grand opening of Comunidad de Luz. March 2025.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (EDSD) has partnered with three other organizations — Via International, the Anglican Diocese of Western Mexico, and Vida Joven — to establish Comunidad de Luz, or Community of Light, a new shelter in Southern Tijuana that aims to provide the necessary wholistic care for women and children in need.

The San Diego/Tijuana border is one of the busiest in the nation. According to the Latin Times, “about 200 people have been deported daily from San Diego to Tijuana since June [2024].” Since the increase of immigration enforcement in January, this number may be rising.

Tijuana is a hub for asylum seekers. Many either await entry into the U.S. or grapple with potential next steps after being deported. Migrants waiting for entry may be stuck in Tijuana for months or even years and, since many are not from Tijuana, they lack the proper legal status or permits to work, driving them quickly into poverty. Deportees may stay in Tijuana if their family is still in the U.S., but adjusting to an unfamiliar place with no connections poses a challenge and potentially a dangerous situation.

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons and ECS Board of Directors Chair The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook visit Comunidad de Luz. March 2025.

Due to the traumatic experiences many endure, migrants and deportees may also struggle with mental health issues like anxiety and depression. They are in need of so much more than just a place to sleep at night; they need long-term care.

Comunidad de Luz can serve up to 100 women and children at once. They offer services such as job training, language classes, childcare, and psychological support. A shelter like this offers resources and community support, which is critical for many migrants/deportees who have no one else to turn to. Comunidad de Luz provides hope and rebuilds lives.

EDSD youth engaged in service trips to repair and prep the space, while diocese members contributed funds. This project falls in line with EDSD’s Migration Ministry.

Congratulations to EDSD on the grand opening of Comunidad de Luz. This is a meaningful step forward in honoring the dignity and resilience of those experiencing migration, loss, and the hope for something better. Read more about EDSD’s involvement in Comunidad de Luz.

UTSH Taps into Creativity

UTSH residents work on a various art projects. March 2025.

Residents at ECS Uptown Safe Haven (UTSH) tapped into their creativity during another art class, this time painting door signs. The art class projects vary — residents try their hands at everything from creating abstract watercolor pieces and still life drawings to decorating wood cutouts and ornaments. The classes begin with an education session on different art techniques such as mixing prime colors, studying light, and learning about still life.

Residents express their creativity by painting door signs. March 2025.

These classes would not be possible without the dedication of two volunteers: Paula McColl and Gerri Smith. Paula and Gerri are parishioners at St. James-by-the-Sea, and they are also both artists with experience in art instruction. The women plan the projects for each month’s class and provide all of the supplies.

Art classes provide a relaxing positive enrichment activity for residents and allows them to express themselves through a creative outlet.

Residents will have the chance to showcase their finished products at the Art Speaks art show on October 24 at St. James-by-the-Sea. 100% of the proceeds from the sales of each piece at the exhibit go directly to the resident who created the piece.

To learn more about the work UTSH does, visit Uptown Safe Haven — Episcopal Community Services.

Art classes allow residents to learn more about art and relax as they craft. March 2025.

Volunteers from St. James-by-the-Sea give their time and talent to UTSH art classes. March 2025.