Your gift will have twice the impact this holiday season,
thanks to a matching gift of up to $10,000.

Please join me in showing love for our neighbors by contributing to the ECS holiday campaign. Your generosity will unlock a donor’s matching gift of up to $10,000.

During this season of Advent, we are reminded of the hardships that are often encountered before a miracle takes place, such as the travels of Mary and Joseph as they journeyed and later sought refuge before the birth of Jesus. 

As I reflect on that experience, I am reminded of another Mary, one named Maria, who is a resident at the ECS Uptown Safe Haven (UTSH) - a residential facility that provides transitional housing for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Maria’s journey was rough as she endured abuse and violence throughout her childhood and early adulthood years. By her 20s, this life of suffering led her to turn to drugs as a way to cope with the physical and emotional trauma. 

Her life unraveled, leading to losing custody of her children, homelessness, and overdoses. After years of spiraling downward, she knew she needed to make a change and sought help to manage her substance use disorder.

Your compassion and generosity enabled the miracle that helped Maria receive the shelter and support she needed when she was referred to ECS. At UTSH, she learned how to better care for her physical and mental health, maintain her sobriety, and work toward a brighter future. She now volunteers weekly time to feed those experiencing homelessness and dreams of ways to inspire others who have been victims of domestic violence.

I am immensely grateful for your ongoing kindness and generous commitment to being there for ECS clients like Maria, and I look forward to seeing your love for our neighbors transform more lives in the coming year.

Peace,

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook,
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
Chair of the ECS Board of Directors