Aglow with Generosity: ECS GivingTuesday 2025

ECS supporters gather together in the spirit of giving. December 2025.

The holiday season is upon us, and as much as the season preaches the importance of generosity, compassion, and love, those values are often overshadowed by the consumeristic nature of the holidays. GivingTuesday is an annual movement that helps bring generosity back to the forefront.  

On GivingTuesday, people can support endless causes, including ECS’ programs right here in San Diego. Gifts help families build brighter futures, children grow in confidence, and neighbors find hope in recovery. 

Community partners like Enterprise Bank provide crucial support to ECS. December 2025.

Each year ECS participates in GivingTuesday with a fundraising campaign and event. The 2025 event took place at Quigley Fine Wines for the third year in a row. Guests enjoyed wine tastings – with a portion of the proceeds from wine sales going to ECS – beautiful charcuterie boards, and meaningful conversations and camaraderie centered around ECS.  

Jimena Villaseñor, the Business Programs Manager at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, attended the GivingTuesday event. Jimena first learned about ECS while working at the Chamber. Interacting with CEO Elizabeth Wilberg and advocating for ECS’ mission while on the Chamber’s annual delegation trip to Washington D.C. caused her to become fond of the organization’s work, leading her to eventually join ECS’ Advocacy Committee. “What really calls me to be more involved with ECS is the big sense of community they have not only for the Episcopal community, but overall in fostering care and love for everyone,” Jimena said. The GivingTuesday event was the perfect example of that supportive community. 

This year, ECS is reflecting on what it means to light the season with love. Jimena shared that GivingTuesday lights the season with love for her because “It reminds me of what the holidays are about. Not only about gifts, not only about being together with the ones we’re closest to but also reflecting on those who are in need and analyzing how can we be better citizens to our community for the following year.”  

Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support for ECS and for everyone who gave to ECS this GivingTuesday. Thanks to the incredible generosity of ECS’ supporters, ECS raised over $15,000 this GivingTuesday, unlocking the full $5,000 matching gift, bringing the total impact to $20,000. ECS could not make the impact it does without this support. Every gift truly makes a difference. 

To learn more about how to give back to ECS visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/donate.

Guests enjoy refreshments and community at the GivingTuesday event. December 2025.

The event promotes the holiday spirit of generosity. December 2025.

PNC Bank Budget Lessons

A huge thank you to our partners at PNC Bank for visiting San Ysidro Head Start last Friday!

PNC team members offered a practical budgeting lesson to 18 parents and caregivers, who also received take-home literacy packets, new books, potted plants tied to a savings activity, and more.

We’re excited to continue expanding financial education opportunities for ECS families and staff in the months ahead.

Partners like PNC Bank help ECS transform the community. November 2025.

Head Start parents and caregivers attend PNC Bank led budgeting lesson. November 2025.

Wellness & Yoga at ECS

ECS is dedicated to the wellbeing of its employees. To help promote the importance of wellness, relaxation, and movement, yoga sessions were hosted at CERRC and ACCORD. Staff were able to unwind and build community amongst one another during the session.

Thank you to Amanda Jackson and other staff who organized the sessions. ECS cannot serve the community if it is not also serving its staff through various methods of support.

CERRC staff follow along in a guided yoga session. November 2025.

Staff at ACCORD engage in yoga and community. November 2025.

ECS Attends SBCS Ribbon Cutting

ECS staff attends the ribbon cutting for SBCS San Diego’s Center for Impact. November 2025.

Last month, our Family Engagement Team, Home Visitors, and Family Service Technicians joined South Bay Community Services (SBCS San Diego) for the ribbon-cutting of their new Center for Impact in Chula Vista!

We were honored to celebrate this exciting milestone, tour the beautiful new space, and connect with the incredible SBCS staff in person. ECS is proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to supporting families and strengthening communities.

Congratulations to SBCS on this inspiring new chapter!