Agency History

1927
Agency founded as the Episcopal County and City Mission Society of San Diego in order to provide social welfare programs. Financial support for the agency came from memberships, contributions, and the operation of a thrift shop, The Clothing Bureau.

1953
In order to meet the social and spiritual needs of the rapidly growing city, the Diocese of Los Angeles, along with the local Episcopal community, provided the funds necessary for an expansion and reorganization of the Mission Society.

1955
Articles of Incorporation are filed with the State of California, making ECS a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization.

1960’s
ECS continues to expand its traditional programs of counseling for families and young people and chaplaincy to include those in hospitals and correctional institutions.

1973
The Rt. Rev. Robert B. Wolterstorff is elected to serve as the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of San Diego. In that capacity he becomes the ex-offico chair of the Board of Directors.

1977
ECS moved into its own building in the heart of downtown San Diego and continues to provide 18 different programs for the city.

1978
ECS begins providing Head Start services for disadvantaged children.

1980
The Emergency Assistance program is founded to provide food, clothing, lodging and financial help to those whose immediate needs could not be met by other agencies.

1985
ECS opens Friend to Friend Clubhouse, the first drop-in center for mentally ill homeless people in San Diego.

Julian’s Anchorage is established as San Diego’s first domestic violence shelter, welcoming mothers and their children seeking refuge.

1994
ECS begins operating the ACCORD Driving Under the Influence Program, which aims to reduce the prevalence and incidence of driving under the influence.

1996
ECS founded its first Safe Haven site, Downtown Safe Haven. Safe Havens are transitional housing residences serving mentally ill, formerly chronically homeless single adults in the metro San Diego area. In addition to providing a safe home, the program also offers intensive case management for 18 months, during which time the residents are assisted with securing a stable income, obtaining permanent housing and gaining valuable life skills.

1998
Florence Gunnarson Spraker, along with the Episcopal Church Women provide the necessary funding to purchase a new home for Julian’s Anchorage.

1999
ECS’ “Hope for the Homeless”, an initiative that assists homeless mentally ill persons, is adopted by the City of San Diego and made part of the City’s Homeless Policy. Later, “Hope for the Homeless” becomes a model for San Diego’s Continuum of Care for mentally ill persons and is proclaimed the most successful program of its kind in the state of California.

ECS founded its second Julian site, Julian’s Hope (formerly Reunion House), providing even more homes for abused women and their children.

2000
California Governor Gray Davis awards ECS with one of the first California Faith-Based Initiative Grants. The grant funds ECS’ WAYS to Independence, an employment program for foster youths who are on the cusp of adulthood.

Para Las Familias is founded, providing a range of mental health services to low-income children from birth to five years old and their families in the South Bay Region of San Diego.

2001
ECS, being the lead agency of the San Diego Women and Children’s Project, begins operating the domestic violence shelter Julian’s Sanctuary. Julian’s Housing Program for Women & Children provides 63 beds for domestic violence victims, making ECS responsible for nearly 25% of domestic violence services in the county.

ECS also founded its second Safe Haven, Uptown Safe Haven.

2005
Desert Vista is founded as a permanent supportive housing program for the chronically homeless and disabled in the Coachella Valley, providing them with the necessary tools to work towards their independent living goals.

2007
Episcopal Community Services is designated a Jubilee Ministry Center of the Episcopal Church.

Lesslie Keller is welcomed as the new Executive Director of Episcopal Community Services.

2008
After moving from the Clubhouse in late 2007, the Friend to Friend program establishes a new location and transforms its scope of services to comprehensively address the needs of its target population.