Influential Leaders Join ECS to Drive Economic and Social Impact

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECS Welcomes Influential Leaders to Drive Economic and Social Impact Forward

CFO Darren Tune engages with Board and Staff members during the Board Retreat. October 2024.

San Diego, CA – Oct. 17, 2024 – Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is pleased to announce the addition of Justin Lewis and Donna Perdue to its Board of Directors, and the appointment of Darren Tune as the new Chief Financial Officer. These leaders bring extensive expertise and a deep commitment to ECS' values and mission. 

Justin Lewis joins the board with a strong background in finance, technology, and educational equity. Inspired by his parents' dedication to social justice, Justin has held leadership roles in higher education and global corporations. His focus on student affairs allows him to mentor students and develop programs that make education more accessible. As a board member, he will help guide ECS’ efforts in early childhood education and economic mobility. Justin holds an Ed.D. from UCSD, an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business, and a bachelor's degree from Williams College.

 Donna Perdue is an intellectual property attorney specializing in biotechnology and the founder of Perdue IP Law, APC. She is proficient in patent prosecution, IP management, and strategy development, working with clients in life sciences and other sectors. Donna’s experience in faith-based initiatives and managing complex intellectual property issues will support ECS’ strategic efforts with community programs. Donna holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, a Ph.D. from Cornell University, and a bachelor's degree from Rhodes College.

 Darren Tune brings extensive experience in nonprofit financial management to his role as ECS’ Chief Financial Officer. In leadership positions at the YMCA, Veterans Village, and Jewish Family Service, he demonstrated strong skills in budgeting and strategic financial planning. His expertise will be critical to ensuring the financial sustainability of ECS' expanding services for the San Diego community. Darren holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego, as well as an MBA and a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University, and has taught nonprofit finance, underlining his commitment to the sector.

 "Justin, Donna, and Darren's insight and dedication are invaluable additions to our board and leadership team," said Megan Costello, Board President of ECS. "Their unique perspectives will be instrumental in advancing our mission and making a greater impact in the region."

 "The ECS team and I are excited to welcome Justin, Donna, and Darren to our ECS community," said Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS' Chief Executive Officer. "The deep experience and talent they bring will enhance our efforts to tackle pressing challenges in health and human services, empowering ECS to serve our community more effectively."

ECS delivers $36 million in health and human services annually, addressing homelessness, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and early childhood education. With 23 locations, ECS impacts over 10,500 individuals throughout the San Diego region each year.

 For more information, please visit www.ecscalifornia.org/leadership.

Episcopal Relief & Development Partners With Episcopal Community Services in Response to Flooding in San Diego

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Episcopal Relief & Development Partners with Episcopal Community Services in Response to Flooding in San Diego

An ECS Head Start family receives supplies through Episcopal Relief & Development grant. February 2024.

San Diego, CA – March 7, 2024 – Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with Episcopal Community Services (ECS) in San Diego, California to provide emergency relief and recovery support to nine families affected by the heavy rains and damaging flooding in January.

The heavy rains fell quickly, filling the streets and freeways with water, and many people weren’t expecting it as that amount of rain was out of the norm. The water overwhelmed the city’s stormwater system, and emergency services needed to rescue hundreds of people from their homes in low-lying areas. Many under-resourced families lost their belongings and were displaced after sustaining damage to their homes. 

In partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development, ECS is working through its network of bilingual and bicultural children’s programs to support families as they repair their homes and replace destroyed or damaged items. Parents and caregivers will be provided with items including air mattresses, clothing, hygiene products, diapers and furniture.

In reflecting on the immediate action taken to support these families, Timothy Whipple, ECS Director of Development, emphasizes the heart of their mission. “ECS has over 90 years of experience in meeting urgent needs of our community, from addressing homelessness and mental health issues to providing early childhood education and substance use disorder treatment,” Whipple shares. “Our gratitude extends to the Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, for connecting us to Episcopal Relief & Development, which has been instrumental in aiding our Para Las Familias and Head Start families impacted by the floods. It’s heartwarming to see the power of collaboration in addressing critical community needs.”

As communities nationwide confront the escalating challenges of climate-induced flooding, exacerbated by infrastructure vulnerabilities, Episcopal Relief & Development is at the forefront of providing support. Such events have a greater impact on people experiencing poverty, significantly complicating their recovery efforts.

“Our buildings, roads, and bridges weren’t designed for big weather events like the ones we are seeing as climate change becomes more severe,” said Lura Steele, Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development, adding, “Unfortunately, people made vulnerable by their status in our society are affected the most, and so we are pouring our resources into localized partnerships like this one with ECS to help people who lack financial or social assets to start over again.” 

For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has worked with an extensive network of faith and community partners to advance lasting change in communities affected by injustice, poverty, disaster, and climate change. Inspired by our faith, we reach over three million people each year by focusing on four interconnected priorities: nurturing the potential of caregivers and young children, reducing violence against women and girls, strengthening communities’ resilience to climate change and facilitating humanitarian response to disasters. Together with our partners, we leverage what’s working well to drive impact, learning, and sustainability. Together, we create lasting change. Join us: episcopalrelief.org.

Episcopal Community Services Awarded $50,000 Prebys Foundation Grant for Youth Behavioral & Mental Health Initiatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Episcopal Community Services Awarded $50,000 Prebys Foundation Grant
for Youth Behavioral & Mental Health Initiatives

San Diego, CA – Jan. 9, 2024 – Episcopal Community Services (ECS), an award-winning nonprofit organization committed to breaking barriers and transforming communities, proudly announces the receipt of a significant $50,000 grant from the Prebys Foundation. This generous contribution, earmarked for initiatives under ECS's Para Las Familias (PLF) program, represents a vote of confidence in the effectiveness and impact of ECS's work in the field of youth behavioral and mental health services.

ECS PLF will continue to change lives with the Presbys Foundation’s generous grant. January 2024.

The Prebys Foundation, a leading philanthropic organization in San Diego County, has recently allocated $30.6 million in grants across 147 organizations, demonstrating its dedication to visual and performing arts, medical research, healthcare, and youth success and financial stability. The substantial grant awarded to ECS aligns with the Foundation's focused efforts and underlines the critical role of mental health in fostering the development and well-being of young people within the community.

“This investment from The Prebys Foundation enables ECS to meet the growing demand for behavioral and mental health support for young children in our community,” said ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons. “ECS is grateful to the Foundation for recognizing this need and ECS’ role in delivering critical care to children and their caregivers.”

ECS Para Las Familias

Para Las Familias, a dedicated outpatient clinic, offers bilingual behavioral and mental health services to children in the under-resourced communities of the South Bay area. Focusing on the developmental needs of low-income children from birth to 12 years old, PLF plays a crucial role in their wellbeing. The recent grant stands to greatly enhance PLF's ability to extend its services and improve care quality, making a substantial impact on the lives of numerous children within these communities.

About Episcopal Community Services

ECS provides $38 million in comprehensive health and human services across the San Diego region. Through a range of wraparound programs encompassing early childhood education, mental and behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and homelessness services, ECS tailors its approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Annually supporting over 7,000 individuals, the organization leverages deep professional expertise and lived experiences to assist clients in realizing their full potential. To learn more about ECS’s transformative impact, please visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/.

About Prebys Foundation

The Prebys Foundation is the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County, working tirelessly to create an inclusive, equitable, and dynamic future for all San Diegans. In 2023 alone, the foundation awarded 214 grants totaling over $57 Million across various sectors. Visit www.prebysfdn.org/ to learn more.

Media Contact:
Adrienne Wilkerson
ECS Communications Director
awilkerson@ecscalifornia.org. ###

Episcopal Community Services Celebrates Success of Family-to-Family for the Holidays Gift-Giving Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Episcopal Community Services Celebrates Success of
Family-to-Family for the Holidays Gift-Giving Program

San Diego, CA – Dec. 27, 2023 – Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its annual Family-to-Family for the Holidays gift-giving program. This heartwarming initiative brought joy and Christmas cheer to many San Diego families in need, touching the lives of 315 individuals across 70 client families.

An ECS family receives gifts from Family-to-Family. December 2023.

Each family sponsored through this program includes at least one client receiving critical services from ECS in areas such as early childhood education, mental and behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment. This year's program witnessed not only an outpouring of generosity from the community but also remarkable stories of hope and resilience.

One such story comes from John Hoffman, a former client of an ECS transitional housing program. Having faced homelessness and despair after his discharge from the Navy in the early 1990s, John's life was transformed through the support and guidance he received at ECS. His journey from desperation to becoming a critical care RN is a powerful demonstration of the effect of ECS's work, and his return as a donor this year highlights the organization's full-circle impact.

“I was just discharged from the Navy, homeless, and needed help. The manager there, Linda Thomas, saw the desperation in my eyes and took me in. I lived there for 18 months, went to school, saved money, and met some of the kindest counselors who guided and helped me along the way," John shared in an emotional recount to Angel Ibarra, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships & Government Affairs, and lead of the Family-to-Family initiative.

Family-to-Family helps ensure a magical holiday season for all. December 2023.

Reflecting on John's story, Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS CEO, sent a heartfelt message to the staff: "John’s story is a powerful example of the lasting impact ECS makes on the people we serve. Team, thank you for all you do every day to make a difference."

ECS staff members also participated in the program, demonstrating their commitment to the organization's mission. Accompanying this press release are heartwarming photographs showcasing the joy and gratitude of the families involved in the program. These images capture the essence of the holiday spirit fostered by ECS's Family-to-Family program.

About Episcopal Community Services

ECS provides $38 million in comprehensive health and human services, breaking barriers and transforming communities across the San Diego region. Through a range of wraparound programs encompassing early childhood education, mental and behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and homelessness services, ECS tailors its approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Annually supporting over 7,000 individuals, the organization leverages deep professional expertise and lived experiences to assist clients in realizing their full potential. To learn more about ECS’s transformative impact, please visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/.

For more information about ECS or to arrange interviews and further media coverage, please contact Adrienne Wilkerson, Communications Director, at awilkerson@ecscalifornia.org or 619-346-8517. ###