ECS Celebrates the Grand Opening of Sharia's Closet

Chula Vista, CA — Wednesday night, ECS was thrilled to celebrate the Grand Opening of Sharia’s Closet’s fourth location, housed in the new Family Engagement Center (FEC).

Guests cheer as Mayor McCann cuts the ribbon, officially opening Sharia’s Closet FEC location. January 2025.

The night was a success, filled with a sense of community. Some of the speakers included Sharia’s Closet Founder and CEO Shamine Linton, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, a representative of the office of Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, and ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons. Guests enjoyed refreshments, heard moving testimonials, and witnessed an official ribbon cutting.

Sharia’s Closet is a nonprofit working to provide free emergency clothing and goods to those experiencing financial hardship or crisis. Whether it be diapers for, clothes for school, or professional attire, Sharia’s Closet is there to lend a helping hand.

Shamine Linton spoke on the partnership of Sharia’s Closet and ECS. “I’m overwhelmed with joy, I’m just so excited and honored for the collaboration and the partnership,” Linton said. “I have always been a partner with ECS as far as supplying and providing clothing, but to be in the same building, this is amazing. ECS and Sharia’s Closet doing the same work, together.”

ECS’ Family Engagement Specialist Heidi Avent echoed Linton’s enthusiasm. “I’m very excited for Sharia’s Closet, as well as ECS,” Avent said. “Having that collaboration and coming together and meeting the needs of our families, that’s the most important thing.”

Sharia’s Closet — located inside FEC — offers new and clean clothing to anyone in need. January 2025.

Since the opening of FEC in August, ECS and Sharia’s Closet have worked side-by-side to provide resources to families in the Chula Vista community. This community partnership is a true testament to the transformative mission of both organizations and how we are truly stronger together.

To learn more about the Family Engagement Center visit ecscalifornia.org/fec.

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons congratulates Sharia’s Closet on their Grand Opening and expresses gratitude for a bountiful partnership. January 2025.

Many supporters, friends, and clients of Sharia’s Closet attend the Grand Opening. January 2025.

NHSA Site Visit at the Family Engagement Center

ECS Head Start staff shared FEC’s resources with NHSA visitors. December 2024.

Yesterday, the ECS Family Engagement Center (FEC) had the privilege of hosting the National Head Start Association (NHSA) for a meaningful site visit.

NHSA toured the FEC facility and heard informative presentations and testimonials. December 2024.

The FEC serves as a vital community resources hub, connecting families to resources through partnerships with organizations like Sharia's Closet and South Bay Community Services (SBCS). During the tour, NHSA heard powerful testimonials from parents and staff, highlighting the transformative impact of collaboration and support.

Thank you to NHSA for recognizing and celebrating our shared mission to strengthen families through community and connection!

Anook Athletic Clothing Distribution

ECS Head Start parents choose from the selection of new clothing donated by Anook Athletics. October 2024.

SAN DIEGO — This month, ECS received its largest in-kind donation to date — a collection of brand-new athletic wear from Anook Athletics, valued at about $725k.

A community distribution event was held at the ECS Family Engagement Center (FEC) Wednesday evening in partnership with Anook Athletics International Community Foundation (ICF), and This Is About Humanity. Head Start Parents attending a Head Start Policy Committee meeting had first pick of items from the array of choices. The tables of clothes stayed up the next day for Head Start’s Fall Resource Fair. The clothing will remain available at the FEC for ECS clients and community members as long as items are still available.

Anook Athletics is an activewear brand designed with pregnant and post-partum women in mind, although anyone can wear it. CEO and Founder Allie Lindenmuth attended the distribution event. The donation came as a result of Anook Athletics clearing its inventory, but Lindenmuth knew she wanted to do something big with the remaining product.

“I truly believe [giving] is in my DNA,” Lindenmuth said. She shared that she has been involved with nonprofits and service work since childhood. That desire to give back was no different in this instance. “This is like this perfect little bow of giving back to the people I always really wanted to serve,” she said.

Lindenmuth grew up in San Diego, which made the donation all the more special for her. “I got a little teary,” she said. “I hadn’t even fully thought about that full circle moment, so it does feel nice to be able to donate half of the product in Austin [Texas] where we were based and then to San Diego, my hometown.”

“This is the closing of a seven-year journey of starting up Anook and seeing it through, then closing the door, and instead of letting it be this sad experience of just seeing the loss and letting go of a company, saying ‘look how beautiful this is,’ and getting to be here and enjoy this experience,” Lindenmuth said.

ECS, Anook Athletics, ICF, and This Is About Humanity make a difference through collaboration. October 2024.

The donation was made possible through the partnership of ICF and This Is About Humanity.

Julie Campos, ICF’s fund development officer, commented on the role ICF played in the exchange. “As resource mobilizers, we facilitate the connection between generous donors like Anook Athletics to nonprofit partners and leaders like ECS who strive to create that social change in their communities and address societal needs,” she said.

The event also carried meaning for her on a personal level. “As a soon-to-be new mom, this event really hits home. I have so much love and respect for Anook Athletics since they are a maternity activewear brand. Their clothing is really made to fit every mom and woman throughout different stages of their lives. It allows them to feel confident and stay active in their journey,” Campos said.

Yolanda Walther-Meade, one of This Is About Humanity’s co-founders, attended the event, as well. “This Is About Humanity is so pleased to be able to join forces with ICF and ECS Head Start,” Walther-Meade said. She expressed that the donation exemplifies her passion for “bringing together different organizations for the benefit of families and children in our community.”

As Head Start parents mingled and selected Anook items, Zamorano Head Start parent and Policy Committee Representative Alejandra Sotelo Solis offered her insights on the donation.

“When we have organizations that give back to the community… to encourage parents and adults to get out, do activities, but also to have the proper attire to do these activities — whether it be yoga or running around chasing the kids on the playground — I think it’s really important,” she said. “When we look good, we feel good and we’re able to give back to our children in a way that makes us feel good.”

Thank you Anook Athletics for your generous spirit, and ICF and This Is About Humanity for making this incredible gift possible.

To learn how you can support ECS’ work, check out the “Get Involved” tab on our website, www.ecscalifornia.org.

New high-quality women’s athletic wear on display at the FEC.
October 2024. 

ECS Head Start staff encouraging active, healthy lifestyles for South Bay families. October 2024.

Family Engagement Center Grand Opening

SAN DIEGO — The ECS Family Engagement Center (FEC) officially opened its doors to the public on Aug. 27 with a Grand Opening event. Public officials, community partners, ECS clients, board members, and staff, and community members alike gathered at the new FEC — located in Chula Vista — to explore the many resources FEC has to offer.

Community partners share their variety of resources the Grand Opening. August 2024.

The Family Engagement Center is a resource hub open to the public. From educational support for the whole family to workshops and seminars to emergency clothing and food, FEC works to ensure all families have the support they need.

Head Start staff poured in hard work to prepare FEC for its opening. August 2024. 

The event kicked off with speeches from ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS Director of Early Education & Family Services Rosa Cabrera Jaime, Policy Advisor for the Office of Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, and Head Start alumna Amanda Angulo and Field Representative for the Office of Congressman Juan Vargas Louis Ward. Afterward, a ribbon cutting signified the official opening of the FEC.

FEC offers a variety of resources to families in the San Diego community. August 2024.

Head Start staff led visitors on tours of the facility. They showed off spaces like the childcare room, the wellness space, the computer lab, and Sharia’s Closet. Community partnerships like Sharia’s Closet — an emergency clothing resource — create a “one-stop-shop” for any resource a family may need.

ECS is grateful for all who showed up to the FEC Grand Opening and excited to watch the center help uplift families in our community.

For more information about FEC, visit www.ecscalifornia.org/fec.