ECS Head Start & Early Head Start Students Escort Players to the Field

On Oct. 9 ECS Head Start and Early Head Start students, family members, staff, and board members joined the sold-out crowd to enjoy the San Diego Loyal versus New Mexico United soccer game. At least 73 families watched ECS students escort the players to the field as a part of the pregame ceremony. The game ended in a 3-3 draw as San Diego Loyal earned another point in the Western Conference standings. Click here to view more photos.

San Diego Loyal versus New Mexico United at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California on October 9. The pregame ceremony showcased Miss San Diego, military personnel, a high school coast guard team, players, and ECS Head Start & Early Head Start students. October 2022.

Big Win for Former Uptown Safe Haven Client Tanya

For the first time in years, Tanya is spreading her wings in a major way. With a renewed lease on life, she has secured a place of her own to call home. Before Uptown Safe Haven (UTSH), Tanya was homeless, in and out of transitional housing and shelters, and struggling with schizophrenia. She used drugs to self-medicate, was off her prescribed medication, and had no support to make a change.

Tanya found the support she needed at the ECS Uptown Safe Haven homeless transitional housing program in Bankers Hill. After two years at the Safe Haven, Tanya is on her path to recovery, working part-time in the kitchen at Scripps Mercy Hospital, taking her prescribed medication, and moving into her own apartment! We’re incredibly proud and excited about Tanya’s new journey.

“I live with people who understand where I’ve been and what I want to do. The staff try to make our days fun and interesting; they are supportive and easy to talk to. The program gives so much to the residents, and right now, I am able to save for my own place,” said Tanya.

A “Safe Haven” is housing designed for individuals experiencing homelessness and living with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders. ECS has been on the front lines of the homelessness crisis since 2001 and will continue to raise awareness about the need for services tailored to individuals experiencing homelessness.

 If you’d like to support a neighbor in need, please visit www.ecscalifornia.org/donate to learn more.

*Caption date may not be exact.

Former Uptown Safe Haven Client Tanya and Timothy Whipple, Associate Director of Development. *October 2022.

San Diego Loyal at Head Start

On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, five San Diego Loyal soccer players visited St. John's ECS Head Start (HS) in Chula Vista to meet Early HS and HS students on the turf field. Students played soccer-related carnival games with several stations located around the area. Some activities included kicking balls in the net, passing and exercise drills, etc. Students, teachers, and players were all excited and full of energy.

San Diego Loyal players engaging the students. October 2022.

ECS Featured In Giving Back Magazine

Elizabeth Fitzsimons, Edgar Sierra, and other community leaders are featured in the September edition of Giving Back Magazine highlighting ECS’ annual meeting. ECS facilitated the panel discussion, which focused on the pandemic, its impact on San Diego’s children, and various solutions, including affordable early childhood education through our HS programs and the benefits of behavioral health services through our Para Las Familias program. Additionally, the panel shared concerns about children overcoming the impact of the last two years encountering shutdowns of primary care providers and longstanding inequalities for disenfranchised communities.

Visit Para Las Familias to learn more about our outpatient behavioral and mental health clinic.

Giving Back Magazine is a monthly bilingual, binational publication featuring events, businesses, and individuals making a difference in the San Diego and Tijuana community. Read the full article.

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS HCS Associate Director Edgar Sierra, First 5 San Diego Alethea Arguilez, M.A, Rady Children’s Hospital Willough Jenkins, M.D., and San Diego for Every Child Erin Hogeboom photographed at ECS’ annual meeting. September 2022.