There’s a Gift in Giving

Every child deserves the magic of waking up on Christmas morning to find gifts from Santa waiting under the tree. One way ECS supports our families during the holiday season is through Family-to-Family for the Holidays.  

Family-to-Family for the Holidays, ECS’ annual gift-giving campaign, ensures that every family has a memorable holiday season. Donors who sign up as sponsors are matched with a family that includes at least one member who currently receives services from one of ECS’ programs. In 2023, Family-to-Family provided gifts for more than 315 neighbors from 70 families. Thanks to generous sponsors, many children got to experience a magical Christmas day, a gift you cannot put a price on. 

Precious’ four kids have all been impacted by ECS and the generosity of Family-to-Family sponsors. *November 2024.

Head Start parent and 2023 Family-to-Family recipient Precious is a mother to four children, and, like any parent, she understands just how important childhood Christmas can be. “It’s really important for me to be able to give them something and give them different experiences,” she said.  

Every year for Christmas, Precious’ family decorates their house with twinkling lights and enjoys their own family traditions, one of their favorites being marshmallow fights. “I buy bunches and bunches of marshmallows, and we have marshmallow fights,” Precious explained, laughing. “We say ‘one, two, three, go,’ and we just start chucking them at each other, ‘got you, got you.’” Afterwards, they put all their blankets on the floor in front of the TV and watch movies while sipping on apple cider or hot cocoa. 

Family traditions and fun moments like opening presents on Christmas create a full and beautiful childhood experience. *November 2024. 

Thanks to Family-to-Family, Precious was able to create lasting memories for her children with the joy of carefully chosen, donated gifts. When Precious gives her kids gifts, she often wraps the gift inside several layers of boxes. By happenstance, the Family-to-Family sponsor who was matched with Precious’ family last year wrapped the gifts the same way, much to her kids’ excitement.  

Precious’ sponsor, Melinda, went the extra mile with her gift for Precious, too. Precious shared that she received a set of lotions that lasted for months.

Melinda has participated in holiday gift programs with a number of organizations through the years, but the opportunity for connection between the family and their sponsor makes ECS’ program extra impactful on both sides. “Back then we never met the families or even knew their names. I think that addition to the ECS program makes it super special,” Melinda said. “When I dropped the gifts off at Precious' apartment last year it was clear to see how full her hands were and, despite that, she was gracious, and the kids were adorable (as they usually are).”

“The Family-to-Family Christmas program is a perfect way to show empathy and bridge the sad divide between families that have so much and families that have so little. It is a small thing that can have a huge effect,” Melinda said.

Precious pays it forward through donations to FEC, so other parents have what they need to care for their children, too. *November 2024.

“It’s so nice to know that you can lean on and count on a beautiful person to donate,” Precious said. “I hope I have an impact like that, too.”  

Precious feels passionate about being part of the cycle of giving, making her own donations – such as clothes, sheets, and pillowcases – to the ECS Family Engagement Center to help support other families in the community. 

ECS Head Start has provided quality education and childcare for Precious’ four children, but ECS’ touch has gone beyond those essentials. Precious was able to use many of ECS’ wraparound services including Head Start’s prenatal program and referrals for speech therapy for two of her children. “This is one of the best programs I’ve ever interacted with that can actually advocate for you and is with you,” she said.  

ECS has helped increase Precious’ confidence as a parent and leader. *November 2024.

Head Start’s community of care expands to parents, as well. Precious participates in parent meetings and the policy committee, sat in on interviews for teachers, and traveled to Texas to represent ECS at a Head Start convention. “[Head Start] helped strengthen my confidence in how I was parenting and what I saw in my children,” she said. 

ECS programs like Head Start and Family-to-Family for the Holidays aim to support families like Precious’. “My children have been touched in a positive way by ECS all their lives,” Precious said.  

Join the cycle of giving. Visit ecscalifornia.org/donate to support parents like Precious and help our youngest community members thrive. As Precious put it, “there’s a gift in giving.” 

*Caption dates may not be exact.

The Best is Yet to Come

Matthew found support and compassion at CERRC which helped him achieve his goals. October 2023.

Matthew, a 2023 graduate of the Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC) Outpatient Treatment Program, recently celebrated two years of sobriety since starting his recovery journey in October 2022.

Fresh out of a divorce, Matthew shared that he chose the wrong path, “running from my problems, then things continued to downfall.” Before he knew it, he was “going from that perfect imperfect life of owning a house and having a kid to being homeless on the street to getting in trouble with the police.” Matthew explained that he was charged with carjacking and robbery. “The carjacking was for breaking somebody’s window, and the robbery was for a salad,” he said. 

After being released from jail, Matthew was directed to CERRC for outpatient treatment services and support. In the beginning, he had difficulty committing himself to the program. Matthew recalled that he “kind of ran from the sober living,” at first. He said he remained without shelter for two more weeks, “but I would come here [CERRC] and check in. I wasn’t able to put together clean time… especially being on the street,” Matthew said. Even amid the harsh conditions of homelessness, he continued to push forward.   

But then, on Thanksgiving of 2022, about a month into the program, Matthew tried to *commit suicide. “It was a really hard day for me; it was my first Thanksgiving without family, without my daughter. And I just wanted to leave the world silently,” Matthew said. His attempt failed, and he miraculously received a second chance. “I didn’t pass away; I just ended up going to the hospital, breathing like Darth Vader for a long time.”  

After that, Matthew reached a turning point and spent some time healing from the traumatic experience. “I had established some clean time and had done some minor work on myself… that’s when ECS brought me in again. I stayed clean through the whole program,” Matthew said. 

The path to recovery is not easy, but with hard work and a program like CERRC to guide you, the joy of sobriety is possible. **October 2023.

Matthew shared that he has taken many steps in his journey to recovery, “but coming here [CERRC] and getting dedicated to a program and living in a sober living [home] for a long time...  has just changed my thinking, my dynamic.” Matthew said he learned to change his mindset to “keep fighting; I am good enough… I do recovery for myself today because it feels good.”  

Now, Matthew is completely sober, has a job he enjoys, has continuous support from his friends and the CERRC staff, and is currently seeing a therapist. “It’s fun being sober today,” he said. “I’ve never felt this good about myself.” 

CERRC would not have the healing effect it does without its dedicated staff. According to Matthew, “One of the most important things that I can hold on to is the compassion from the staff.” In returning to CERRC for this interview, Matthew shared how welcomed he still felt by all the friendly faces at the program. He explained how much the staff does for clients, ensuring they have the necessities they need. “I feel like my counselor Summer was very understanding of my situation, as far as just being broken at the time for many reasons,” Matthew said. “She has impacted my life forever. And I’ll never forget what she gave me.” 

“There’s a lot of people that want it, that want to get better,” he said. “But it makes it very hard when you can’t even provide for yourself due to circumstances that are sometimes so hard to move through financially, mentally, physically. A program like this really helps you get your foundation going and also brings you back to life mentally.” The work to help those struggling with addiction may not always be easy, but “I think the ones that want it are worth it,” Matthew said. Thanks to CERRC’s programming and the additional services, Matthew regained control of his life and now envisions his future with optimism. “I feel like my 40s are going to be the best years of my life,” he expressed. 

CERRC offers outpatient treatment for adults and transitional aged youth with substance use disorders, focusing on individual counseling, group therapy, and strategic planning. The multidisciplinary team specializes in co-occurring disorders, homelessness, and employment challenges, ensuring connection to additional community services. To learn more, please visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/central-east-regional-recovery-center. 

*If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts or suicide ideations, call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 1-888-724-7240 to reach The San Diego Access & Crisis Line (ACL). The hotline is a free and confidential support system available 24/7. 

**Caption dates may not be exact.

Letter from a Grateful Para Las Familias Parent

Read Spanish Translation Here/Lea la Traducción al Español Aquí

ECS Para Las Familias (PLF) is an outpatient behavioral and mental health clinic for low-income children ages 0 to 12 and their families. PLF’s bilingual therapists provide a variety of early-childhood mental health services that aim to strengthen guardian-child bonds, address behavioral issues, boost confidence, give tools for successful parenting, and more. Former PLF parent Alicia expresses her gratitude for the program in the following letter:

To whom it may concern,

First of all, I want to thank Para Las Familias for all their support towards my family. Everything we have learned is thanks to them, from the Zoom courses with Angie Puffelis through the Circle of Security; I liked it so much and understood so much that I took it again for eight more weeks to reinforce what I learned. In each class, one could express any doubts and achievements over time.

When the classes ended, I wanted to continue learning more about motherhood and how to help my son. So, I asked for more information and that was when they gave my son and I the opportunity to start therapy with "his Miss Letty," a person so noble and upright in her work.

We learned a lot as parents since my husband and I, along with my son, attended therapy together. My son has learned a lot and we along with him. There were a lot of breakthroughs, I could say a lot of things about her... but in short, she is a professional at what she does... My son still remembers her and every day he asks about her and Mrs. Elizabeth who is the best person to receive parents. She is so cute and so nice, polite, and always available to answer any questions, or any doubts, or other needs. The truth is that they have a super team: Laura, Irene, Miss Margarita, Nancy. Every time I go, I feel at home because that is how they make us feel when we arrive. All the scheduled appointments are respected, they never make us wait, and if there is need to reschedule, or accommodations are needed, there are always options to agree to carry out the appointments in case one of the two sides cannot...

In general, from my point of view, therapy is the best for me. I am taking therapy right now with Angie, and wooo yes, I leave with a lot of information that I can put into practice at home. I am also with Miss Margarita with a nephew in therapy, and she has helped me a lot to understand his emotions and see through his eyes. To put myself in his place and thus help him a lot.

I am so grateful because I know that Para Las Familias came into our lives at the exact moment to be able to continue moving forward as a family and as first-time parents. We already have many tools to continue life and what I love the most is that the Circle of Security applies to any person of any age and is very well understood.

You never leave empty-handed. The children always leave with stickers, snacks, or a small toy. The attention they give to each child is extraordinary, I definitely recommend this beautiful place. They also help you with a lot of resources, information for support either pantry, activities for children, or more courses, etc...

Thank you so much for everything and God bless anyone who reads these humble words...

These are the words of a grateful mother with a heart willing to learn with her family. The road is not easy, but I know that little by little and with patience everything will work out.

Alicia’s story is just one example of how PLF can make a profound difference in people's lives. We are grateful for her willingness to share her journey with us. These heartfelt words from a grateful mother show her dedication to learning and growing with her family. The road is not easy, but with patience and perseverance, progress is made, little by little.

THANK YOU, PARA LAS FAMILIAS.

Donate today to provide funding and support to help families like Alicia’s.

The Power of Faith & Love

SAN DIEGO — As an artist, social activist, and kind soul, ECS Uptown Safe Haven (UTSH) resident Faith is filled with joy and hope thanks to your generous support.

Faith poses with some of her artwork in her room at UTSH. April 2024.

However, the Faith you see today is not the same person you would have met last November when she arrived at UTSH.

Originally from South Carolina, Faith moved to Washington, DC, in her 20s, where she built a successful career as a sous chef. During this phase of her life, she started her gender-affirming transition and witnessed her self-confidence flourish as she embraced her true identity.

Then, suddenly, her life took a sharp turn when she experienced a violent act by a family member, triggering a period of debilitating depression. “I could not work in kitchens anymore, which was the love of my life,” she shared. “I lost everything — my house, car, friends, everything.”

She attempted to get back on her feet by accepting a job offer in San Diego, but when she arrived, she discovered the offer to be a scam, leaving her without income or shelter.

Experiencing homelessness and having no support system, her downward spiral continued as she faced persistent violence while living on the street, including being beaten and left for dead.

While recovering at the hospital, Faith was fortunate to connect with a therapist who helped her secure a place at the ECS Uptown Safe Haven. This crucial intervention provided the stability she needed to change her trajectory, a testament to the impact of your support.

“I was in a women’s shelter for a while and had nothing going for me. My transition had stopped. I didn’t have hope for housing,” she sighed before enthusiastically offering, “I came here, and it’s been a complete 180. I feel so much better.”

“It’s given me the second chance that I needed,” Faith continued. “I feel so re-energized now. I’m in such a better place now.”

Art is a source of self-care for Faith. April 2024.

Thanks to the love you have shown through your gifts to ECS, Faith now has the strength to forge a new path forward. “I’m in school again. I’m going to be a surgical tech in plastic surgery — a new career field that I’m really excited about.”

While living at UTSH, Faith focuses on creating art as part of her self-care therapy. “It keeps my mind super busy and helps with my anxiety and depression tremendously.”

When asked about her love for flowers and landscapes as subjects for her art, she revealed, “They're perfectly imperfect. That's what I love about them. They're kind of like people.”

Faith’s journey is supported by our UTSH Program Manager, Raul Verdugo.

““It’s all in the name — Uptown Safe Haven. It truly is a safe haven. It gives residents the opportunity to feel safe, and feeling safe allows for a positive change in their lives.””

— Raul Verdugo, UTSH Program Manager

As the program manager, Raul and his team go far beyond providing shelter and food for 19 residents. Thanks to your support, they can provide hope and stability along with services such as educational guidance, on-site support groups, and a manageable mental health plan, all of which are crucial in transforming lives.

Faith recently wrote a note of gratitude to Raul and UTSH Resident Assistant Renee Coleman sharing the lifesaving impact of UTSH.

“Because of places like this, I have hope now,” Faith said.

Visit Uptown Safe Haven to learn more.