ECS Annual Impact Report

Fiscal Year 2023/2024

Dear Friends of ECS,

In January, when a thousand-year storm unleashed heavy rain and flooding across San Diego, the floodwaters swept away cars, overtook roads, and destroyed homes, leaving devastated neighborhoods in their wake.

The hardest hit were people who already were struggling to make it in our region’s underserved communities.

Candy lost her home in National City. She lost everything she owned.

Candy is an ECS Head Start parent and a single mom who enrolled her 5-year-old son Michael in ECS’ Head Start Home-Based program.

Within days, ECS made sure Candy’s and her children’s basic needs were met: a place to stay, food to eat, clothes and toiletries, tablets with educational programs for the boys, gift cards for furniture, home goods, and the things needed to start over. Our ECS team even connected Candy to a new job opportunity.

The thing that touched Candy the most though, was the steady and simple gestures of care. “We’ll always remember,” she said, “we’ll always be grateful.”

About seven miles away in the San Diego neighborhood of Bankers Hill, another client, Maria, was settling into her new life at ECS’ Uptown Safe Haven homeless transitional housing program. Suffering from depression and substance use disorder, Maria had been in and out of residential treatment programs. She spent some time living on the street. A survivor of domestic violence, abuse had been a constant in her life, and the pain she suffered at the hands of others caused her to harm herself.

At Uptown, Maria finally feels safe. And with support from ECS staff and her newfound community, Maria has made her health and well-being her top priority. One day, Maria hopes to share her story with others as a domestic violence speaker.

Candy’s and Maria’s stories tell us about the power of community, the impact of your giving. Because of your generosity, your giving hearts, our ECS team can fill the gaps and go above and beyond for the clients who place their trust in us.

At ECS, our mission is to break barriers and transform communities because we envision an abundant and equitable society where all have unlimited potential.

That is the Beloved Community.

Where each voice is welcomed and valued. Where each person feels what it’s like to truly belong. The kind of belonging where we are known, we are appreciated, and we all have unlimited potential.

Thank you for joining us on this journey and making it possible for ECS to deliver the excellent and compassionate care that sets us apart.

With gratitude,

Elizabeth Fitzsimons, Chief Executive Officer

Mission: To break barriers and transform communities through programs rooted in our tradition of action and faith in God.

Vision: To have an abundant and equitable society where all have unlimited potential.

Core Values: Belonging, Respect, Empowerment, Exploration, and Stewardship.

At A Glance

6 Transformative Programs • 20 Locations • 450+ Staff
10,500+ Students, Clients, Families, and Community Members Impacted

344,750 Meals & Snacks Per Week
111 Volunteers contributed 870 hours of service, valued at $26,057

Our $42 million budget:

Your generosity changes lives!

You made an extraordinary impact! Thanks to you, we raised $4,001,568 across all ECS programs, including our annual gala, to care for the most vulnerable members of our community. Your compassion continues to bring hope to those who need it most.

2024 Moonlight Ball Sponsors

INSPIRING CHILDREN 

Head Start
According to KPBS, nearly half of San Diego households with children under six cannot afford basic necessities including childcare. Without ECS' Head Start and Early Head Start programs, many of these children would lack access to critical early childhood services that are foundational to their growth and development. Our programs address the comprehensive needs of both children and their families, offering a full spectrum of wraparound services, from developmental screenings and services for children with disabilities to parenting education, family and community engagement, and support for pregnant women. We ensure that every aspect of a child's well-being is considered, helping families build a foundation for a brighter future. 

• Target Population: Low-income families with children 0 to 5 and pregnant women

• Clients & Families Impacted: 4,754

• Source: Study: Half of San Diego County families with young kids struggle with costs

Para Las Familias
The County of San Diego Community Health Needs Assessment highlights significant disparities in access to behavioral health services for children, especially those affected by trauma. Para Las Familias (PLF) addresses this gap with early intervention for children ages 0-12, offering timely support through bilingual therapy, assessments, and parenting groups. By focusing on early intervention, PLF meets the need for accessible youth mental health care, providing critical support in the clinic, at home, and in classrooms to help families navigate challenges and build resilience.

• Target Population: Low-income children ages 0 to 12 and caregivers as needed

• Clients & Families Impacted: 437

• Impact: 89% of children improved in emotional/behavioral issues upon discharge

• Source: Community Health Needs Assessment (2023-2025)

EMPOWERING ADULTS

Central East Regional Recovery Center
The County of San Diego Community Health Needs Assessment reported a 9% increase in adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in 2021. CERRC addresses this growing need by offering counseling, treatment groups, assessments, and discharge planning to clients facing challenges like homelessness, unemployment, or co-occurring illnesses. Whether clients seek help voluntarily or through court mandates, CERRC’s multidisciplinary team provides in-depth assessments, individualized counseling, and tailored treatment plans. CERRC also connects clients to community resources and offers flexible group schedules for accessible support.

• Target Population: Adults with substance use disorders and transitional aged youth

• Clients Served: 981

• Impact: 93% of clients who were homeless at admission were successfully housed upon completing the program

• Source: Community Health Needs Assessment (2023-2025)

ACCORD
In the first half of 2024, 2,269 DUI offenses occurred in the San Diego region. These figures highlight the need for intervention to prevent DUI-related incidents. The ACCORD program provides a safe, confidential space for individuals to understand the impact of DUIs. Licensed by California, ACCORD serves those arrested or convicted of DUIs, referred by courts, probation, or the DMV. Clients engage in educational classes, counseling, and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, focusing on behavioral change. ACCORD connects clients to additional services, including intensive substance use disorder treatment when needed, helping reduce reoffending and promote safer communities.

• Target Population: Individuals arrested for or convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics

• Clients Served: 3,288

• Impact: 73% of clients who successfully completed the program did not re-offend

• Source: Crime in the San Diego Region Mid-Year 2024

Community Harm Reduction Team Safe Haven
In 2024, the Point-in-Time Count reported 10,605 individuals experiencing homelessness across the San Diego region. Of these, 6,110 were unsheltered. C-HRT provides critical support to up to 22 unhoused residents living with chronic substance use conditions. A collaborative effort between the County of San Diego, the City of San Diego, Family Health Centers, and Episcopal Community Services, C-HRT offers transitional housing with a focus on helping clients transition to permanent housing. Family Health Centers of San Diego coordinates client placement and provides ongoing care, case management, and support services throughout their stay.

• Target Population: Homeless adults with chronic substance use disorders

• Clients Served: 37

• Impact: 100% of residents maintained or increased their income at the time of discharge

• Source: Point-in-Time Data Report (2024)

Uptown Safe Haven 
According to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, about 68% of individuals experiencing homelessness in San Diego are chronically homeless. Uptown Safe Haven (UTSH), ECS’ other transitional housing facility, serves chronically homeless adults with moderate to severe mental health conditions. Partnering with the Community Research Foundation, UTSH provides residents with employment counseling, educational guidance, mental health plans, and support groups. Our "grace-based" program follows a harm reduction approach, recognizing the challenges residents face as they work toward recovery. While Uptown Safe Haven is an alcohol and drug-free environment, residents are not required to be clean or sober upon entry but are expected to strive toward abstinence during their stay.

• Target Population: Homeless adults with moderate to severe mental health issues

• Clients Served: 37

• Impact: 100% of clients at exit increased their Stages of Change Assessment score; a Transtheoretical Model, which explains an individual's readiness to change their behavior

• Source: Point-in-Time Data Report (2024)

2023/2024 Highlights