c-hrt

Olympian High Students Donate to C-HRT Safe Haven

Last week, ECS received a heartwarming visit from Olympian High School seniors Ayanna, Sofia, Natalie, and Zara to donate care bags for ECS C-HRT Safe Haven.

At C-HRT Safe Haven, we provide a nurturing community for those facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders. Residents receive collaborative care and are connected to essential resources and services that empower them to rebuild their lives.

If you would like to join these compassionate students in making a meaningful impact in someone's life, visit www.ecscalifornia.org/donate for more information.

ECS staff receive donations from Olympian High School seniors. April 2024.

C-HRT Behavioral Health Tour

ECS Leadership; Behavioral Health Services; the County of San Diego; and California State Representatives visit C-HRT Safe Haven. November 2023.

SAN DIEGO – Last Friday, C-HRT Safe Haven welcomed Behavioral Health Services, the County of San Diego, and state representatives as part of the San Diego County CARE Act Tour. The visit showcased the C-HRT model, designed to support unhoused residents battling chronic substance use conditions in a secure and nurturing environment.

Diana, a current C-HRT resident, previously shared, “I started seeing the mental health people a lot more and started feeling more settled here. Now I feel like I can come home to something and be okay, be safe.” Her sentiments highlight the positive impact C-HRT has on its residents.

C-HRT Safe Haven client speak to tour participants. November 2023.

Thank you to the County of San Diego - Government, City of San Diego and Family Health Centers of San Diego for collaborating on this important community initiative.

To learn more about the C-HRT Safe Haven and its impact, please visit https://ow.ly/Rr8f50Qa3WH.

*Community Harm Reduction Team (C-HRT)

Behavioral Health Recovery Luncheon

ECS volunteers and board members serve the clients a tasty meal. November 2023.

SAN DIEGO – Last week, clients from ECS CERRC, ACCORD, and our two Safe Havens (Uptown and C-HRT), alongside government representatives, ECS staff, board members, and volunteers, gathered at St. Mark's Episcopal Church for a Thanksgiving Lunch dedicated to recovery.

ECS CERRC, ACCORD, and Safe Haven clients enjoy the recovery luncheon. November 2023.

Throughout the event, participants engaged in meaningful conversations, shared stories of triumph, and fostered new connections within our recovery community—all while enjoying a delightful Thanksgiving meal.

A heartfelt thank you is extended to every participant, volunteer, and supporter whose contributions played a vital role in making this event a success. Your presence and enthusiasm have left a lasting impact, serving as a powerful reminder that the journey to recovery is not a solitary one but a collective achievement.

Stepping-Stones to Stability

Diana and her dog Molly. September 2023.

SAN DIEGO – Diana was at the lowest point of her life prior to finding help at C-HRT Safe Haven. She was trapped in a domestic violence situation, living on the streets, addicted to drugs, and battling untreated mental illness. According to the 2023 Point-in-Time Count conducted by the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, Diana was one of approximately 10,264 homeless individuals in San Diego County. “It’s just crazy how it just spiraled, then you become clueless and helpless, and you don’t know what to do. And it’s like people shun you; they don’t want to help you,” she shared. “I was just tired of it.”

Thankfully, in December of 2022, Diana was referred to C-HRT and began her journey forward. Sam Fookes, C-HRT Safe Haven Program Manager, observed, “Diana arrived at C-HRT Safe Haven as a very quiet person who mostly kept to herself.” Diana herself said, “The first day I showed up here [at C-HRT] … whenever I left out of here, I don’t know why, I cried. I was scared because it was the first time I actually took a step to do something for me.”

Diana was lost, confused, and afraid to face life alone. However, the C-HRT community ensured she had the support she needed. “It has been a privilege to watch her grow into a strong, independent individual,” Fookes added. Diana spoke about the transformative impact of the safe haven, highlighting everything from the simple joys of privacy and home-cooked meals to the invaluable mental health services and the sense of stability it provided her. “This place has been a major stepping-stone for me,” she stated.

Since moving into C-HRT, the services and support have helped Diana regain control of her thoughts and direction in life. “I started seeing the mental health people a lot more and started feeling more settled here,” she said. “Now I feel like I can come home to something and be okay, be safe.” Fookes noted, “She has even expanded her family by adopting a furry friend named Molly. Molly has completely changed Diana’s worldview, and she truly puts herself and her family first.”

The program also helped Diana prepare for the path ahead. “I am excited to learn what new opportunities and achievements Diana will make with the support of the C-HRT Safe Haven community behind her,” said Fookes. Diana has decided to revamp her cleaning service here in San Diego. She has acquired her LLC, customers, and even a website for her business.

A sense of family and stability has also been prominent to Diana at C-HRT. “I’ve never had that close-knit family,” she said. With the staff and other clients at C-HRT, “you get to see these people day in, day out now, it’s like they’re family, it’s like they’re your brothers or sisters,” she stated.

The Community Harm Reduction Team (C-HRT) Safe Haven serves up to 22 unhoused residents living with chronic substance use conditions and is a partnership between the County of San Diego, the City of San Diego, Family Health Centers, and Episcopal Community Services. Mental health services, substance use disorder aid, and help to achieve stability are just a few ways the program supports its residents.

You can make a tangible difference in the lives of residents like Diana by donating your time, talents, or funds to support their healing journey. For more information, visit ECS California C-HRT Safe Haven.