ECS Head Start Grandparents’ Breakfast

Grandparents craft with their grandchildren at the Head Start Grandparents' Breakfast. September 2024.

SAN DIEGO — Summer break has come to an end, but the fun continues with activities like the ECS Head Start Grandparents Breakfast. Held at the new ECS Family Engagement Center (FEC), over 24 families enjoyed breakfast and activities together, creating memories for grandparents and their grandchildren.

ECS was joined by St. Paul’s PACE staff and Christ Church Day School student volunteers to bring the event together. St. Paul’s PACE delivered presentations on “What is PACE?”, educating grandparents on the resources available through the PACE program, and tips on preventing a fall.

ECS Head Start staff smile at a fun-filled event. September 2024.

The Christ Church Day School student volunteers helped serve the breakfast and assisted with clean up. They also facilitated a picture frame making station and led a “make your own” stress ball activity.

The Head Start Grandparents’ Breakfast was a morning of family and community fun. ECS is grateful for the help from community partners like St. Paul’s PACE and the Christ Church Day School in bringing the day together.

For more information about ECS Head Start visit www.ecscalifornia.org/head-start-and-early-head-start.

Students enjoy activities with their family and friends. September 2024.

Families spend quality time together at the Grandparents' Breakfast. September 2024.

Blossoming in Partnership

Students from The Bishop’s School and St. John’s Head Start show off their harvest. August 2024.

ECS Head Start and The Bishop’s School continue to foster their relationship, especially through gardening. Tuesday morning, five students from The Bishop’s School joined The Rev. Roger Haenke from St. John's Episcopal Church in a few activities with St. John’s Head Start students.

The students bonded as they planted new vegetables and herbs and collected ripe veggies such as squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes, which they planted together in April.

Afterward, The Bishop's School students helped move backpacks stuffed with donated school supplies from the parish to the Head Start offices. These donations ensure that students have the supplies they need to have the best school year possible.

We appreciate The Bishop’s School students for their generosity and friendship toward ECS Head Start students.

Visit the Head Start page to learn about the program and how ECS works to inspire children to blossom.

A Head Start student holding a squash the students planted together in the spring. August 2024.

Head Start students learn about gardening and bond with older students from The Bishop’s School. August 2024.

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.

The Joy of Volunteering

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.