Coffee & Conversations at PLF

CEO Elizabeth Wilberg (left) and the PLF team smile at Coffee & Conversations. February 2026.

Last Friday, community members gathered at Para Las Familias (PLF) for the annual PLF Coffee & Conversations event. Coffee & Conversations offers an opportunity for people to learn about PLF’s trauma-informed, relationship-based approach, see the therapy rooms firsthand, and connect with other ECS supporters.

Giselle Moreno, Child & Family Therapist, shared the power of PLF with attendees. February 2026.

Attendees enjoyed refreshments and networking before brief speeches from CEO Elizabeth Wilberg and PLF therapist Giselle Moreno. They shared how crucial PLF’s services are, especially for underserved communities. Family therapy sets new generations up for success, breaking down barriers and providing parents with tools that will last a lifetime.

Evelynn, a former PLF parent, attended this year’s event. Evelynn came to PLF for help when her son was diagnosed with autism. “This was my first open door,” she said. “[PLF] taught me where I can go look for help, that I’m not alone, that my child’s not alone, that I’m his voice.” She shared that PLF provided her and her son with tools they still use today.

Guests explore PLF and therapy tools on a guided facility tour. February 2026.

The event closed with group tours of the facility led by PLF staff. Attendees learned about different techniques, practices, and tools the PLF therapists use to help build trust between children and their guardians.

Leslie Manriquez-Jimenez, Associate Director of Children’s Behavioral Health, commented on the significance of Coffee & Conversations. “I think a lot of people want to be supportive of services like ours, want to support their community, want to support children and families. So, coming to events like this actually widens their view of what is out there, what the community needs. It’s really awesome.” ECS extends a huge “thank you” to everyone who showed their support for PLF at Coffee & Conversations.

Coffee & Conversations provided ample opportunity for networking with ECS supporters and staff. February 2026.

Para Las Familias is ECS’ bilingual, bicultural mental health program for young children and their caregivers in San Diego’s South Bay. PLF offers trauma-informed, family-centered care for children ages 0 to 12, many of whom face behavioral health challenges related to trauma, stress, or changes at home or school.

PLF helps strengthen and uplift families, impact that cannot be created without your help. Just $15 can provide a child with a bilingual book and $25 can provide them with a take-home therapy kit. Visit ecscalifornia.org/donate to give to PLF today and ensure brighter futures for San Diego children.

Event guests add what they love to PLF’s tree. February 2026.

CEO Wilberg shares her love for PLF. February 2026.

Dimensions in Art at Uptown Safe Haven

At Uptown Safe Haven (UTSH), this week’s art class centered on the theme of dimensions. Participants experimented with shape, spacing, layering, and color to create depth and movement on their canvases.

In this space of healing and support, art is more than a creative outlet, it’s a powerful tool for rebuilding, reconnecting, and creating lasting change.

Volunteer art teacher assists UTSH resident with art project. February 2026.

Residents express their creativity in art classes. February 2026.

ECS Delegates in Sacramento

Sacramento, CA — Last week, ECS CEO Elizabeth Wilberg and Director of Communications & Advocacy Adrienne Wilkerson joined the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento for its annual advocacy trip.

In collaboration with local, regional, and state leaders, Elizabeth and Adrienne helped ensure that the voices of our communities and the families and clients ECS serves are represented in conversations that shape California’s future.

Leaders across a variety of San Diego organizations joined together to advocate for the needs of their community. February 2026.

How ACCORD and C-HRT Safe Haven Helped Princeton Thrive

Princeton found his footing with support from ACCORD and C-HRT’s services. October 2025.

When Princeton and his son’s mother drove down to San Diego from LA one day in 2017, he had no idea how his life was about to change. 

The birth of Princeton’s son was unplanned; Princeton had known his son’s mother for only a few months before she became pregnant. He recalled feeling excited to become a father, but also heavy due to the nature of the situation. 

In San Diego, they got into an argument over a parenting disagreement. Princeton felt tired of having no control over his own life, his role as a father, or the family life he had envisioned, so he decided to stay in San Diego on his own. 

Due to his sudden change in plans, Princeton had nowhere to go and ended up living on the street, but it wasn’t long before he found direction. While in the lunch line at Father Joe’s, recruiters offered him the chance to go to school with financial aid. “I was like, ‘alright, I'm homeless on the streets. The only way I'm gonna get off these streets, I'm gonna have to start and do something positive,’” he said. 

He began his program and got a job while going to school, waking up every morning at 5 a.m. to pack up his tent and prepare for the day ahead. 

Some things were looking up for Princeton, but the reality of his situation did not escape him. Still homeless and dealing with his choice to leave his family, Princeton turned to alcohol to cope with the mental weight of his decision. 

After some time, Princeton moved into an apartment and became sober for several years. When his mother passed away in 2021, Princeton remained steady and did not turn back to alcohol even in his grief. But two years later in 2023, he got a phone call that his brother had passed, as well. “So, then I got back to drinking and I couldn't stop. I got careless.”   

Substance use disorder (SUD) overtook Princeton’s life and before long he got a DUI. His aunt, who helped raise him, passed away and his grief led him to drink at the funeral. “I got into it with my sister out there, and so she wouldn't let me sleep at her house, so my drunk self tried to drive all the way back from LA to San Diego,” he said. “I hit two cars.” 

Princeton’s sister bailed him out of jail, and he was ordered to complete a six-month program at ECS ACCORD (Alcohol Counseling Community Outreach Drop-In) DUI program. 

ACCORD was a positive force in Princeton’s life. “The staff there were very helpful, my instructor was very considerate of me and my peers there,” he said. “That's why I'm here right now, I'm recovered, I'm doing amazing. I know better.” 

Princeton’s recovery journey had begun, but he had landed back in a state of homelessness. In 2024, Princeton was living in a large shelter. He shared that it was difficult for him to continue recovery in that environment. “A typical shelter, you're not going to get no peace there,” he said. “You can be doing everything positive... there's just too many negative distractions.”   

The security of C-HRT allows residents to focus on bettering their lives. October 2025.

Fortunately, Family Health Centers referred him to ECS C-HRT Safe Haven. Princeton was grateful to have “something more grounded; somewhere where I can thrive and work on myself.” 

Funny enough, Princeton did not know that ACCORD and C-HRT were both ECS programs, but both just so happened to be there to give him support when he needed it. “That's pretty divine,” he commented.  

The safety and stability of C-HRT was a “golden opportunity” for Princeton. “You got a free chance to really get your life together,” he said. 

While it wasn’t easy and he stumbled from time to time in the beginning, Princeton worked hard to better himself and now he is in recovery, working, and feeling great. 

Princeton shared how the comfort of C-HRT and the variety of amenities, provide much needed support for residents. Companionship is also a key part of the C-HRT support system. “I had a number of heartfelt conversations, motivated conversations from some of the most broken people here uplifting me at times and just gave me inspiration and motivation to go above my means or above the clouds,” Princeton shared. “There's a good spirit here. A great spirit here.” 

Princeton’s experience has inspired him to give back to others. Whether it's purchasing and setting up a tent for a homeless man he sees every day, so he has shelter from the rain or buying a bag of ice for a woman in need, he aims to give back as much as he can. 

He also takes pride in doing his part to care for the C-HRT facility, taking out the trash, vacuuming, and keeping his home clean. “You got to take care of your home,” he said. “This is our place. I'm like, ‘give back the blessing.’ The blessing gave you a bed and a blanket.” 

C-HRT provides more than just physical housing. It gives people like Princeton a place to work on themselves and create new beginnings. 

“I have self-obedience... [I] stay calm, stay peaceful, especially underneath pressure. Especially when [the world is] trying to test you, just stay kind,” Princeton shared. “The world is what you make it here.”  

ECS offers a variety of programs, all with the goal of breaking barriers and transforming communities. Learn more about the services of ACCORD and C-HRT Safe Haven that uplift our neighbors in need.