SAN DIEGO – This holiday season, ECS is thankful for its generous volunteers. Volunteering is important for non-profits, including ECS. Volunteers bring resources, support, connection, and joy to ECS clients.
Martha Ehringer serving a client at this year’s CERRC Thanksgiving lunch. November 2023.
Martha Ehringer, a dedicated ECS volunteer, shared her experience contributing time and effort to ECS clients over the years. Ehringer is the current liaison for ECS from the outreach committee at St. James-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla. She has primarily worked with Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC) and Uptown Safe Haven (UTSH) by providing lunch for clients. From their past “chicken chopping committee” to creating a delicious barbeque spread, Ehringer and her fellow volunteers love to prep meals and spend time eating and talking with ECS clients. She shared that these volunteer opportunities are “such an exhilarating experience for us… It’s sort of like being invited to somebody’s house for lunch; it’s a real pleasure.”
A special Thanksgiving lunch for CERRC and UTSH clients is coming up this month. Ehringer volunteered at the event in 2022 and will participate along with volunteers from several local parishes this year, as well. The meal celebrates clients’ recovery journeys and invites connection between clients, staff, and volunteers.
Ehringer spoke about how incredible the clients make the ECS volunteer experience. “There is so much kindness and love that’s involved,” she shared. She explained how the clients at ECS are inviting, interesting, and never hesitant to go above and beyond by helping the volunteers. “I hope it’s as rewarding for the clients as it is for us because we just love it,” Ehringer gushed.
A few of the volunteers at last year’s CERRC Thanksgiving lunch smile for a photo. November 2022.
ECS’ homelessness and recovery programs work with clients to help them regain control and balance in their lives and walk with them step-by-step to reenter the world as healthy individuals. Ehringer stated, “I really love what ECS does. I think ECS does it quietly and well, and ECS knows what they’re doing, so I have no qualms about referring someone to ECS if there’s a reason to do that.” Volunteering with ECS programs like UTSH and CERRC has been impactful, according to Ehringer; she cherishes the privilege of interacting with “people who are in the process of being healed.”
Although volunteering is rewarding, many people need help figuring out where to start. Ehringer felt this at one point herself. “I’ve always admired the work of ECS; I’ve always wanted to be involved,” she said. “But didn’t know how to do it.” For her, the invitation came from the assistant rector at St. James by-the-Sea, asking her to join the outreach committee.
If you or someone you know would like to get involved and become an ECS volunteer, contact Angel Ibarra at aibarra@ecscalifornia.org. Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer opportunities through our website or our e-newsletter.
Giving time, energy, and effort to local non-profits is a great way to support one’s community. ECS appreciates the work volunteers put into supporting its clients and making the organization stronger. Ehringer spoke on the importance of volunteering and stated, “my whole motto in life is only do it if it’s fun; … [volunteering] … and it’s so rewarding.” There are many ways to give back to ECS, find something that resonates with you, and become the change you want to see.