C-HRT First Annual Labor Day Celebration

C-HRT residents and staff celebrate Labor Day. September 2023.

SAN DIEGO – This year has held a lot of “firsts” for ECS’ Community Harm Reduction Team (C-HRT) Safe Haven. The Safe Haven officially opened in January 2023 and has accepted residents with open arms since day one. C-HRT held its first annual Labor Day Celebration this month, which exemplified its welcoming spirit.

An abundance of helping hands brought the event to life. C-HRT’s Activities Committee of resident volunteers planned the details, including the menu, food preparation, and music. Activities Committee members include residents Diana, Raymond, and Zehren.

Diana prepped veggie packs, a perfect option for vegetarian attendees; Ray made asparagus; resident Daniel served fruit salad from his mother’s recipe; and the staff prepared ribs. 

The residents and staff enjoyed a family-style meal with good food and good people. Taliea Burton, Lead Resident Assistant, shared, “This is important as many of our residents lack familial and other social supports, so, at C-HRT, we strive to bring our community together!”

C-HRT Safe Haven serves up to 22 unhoused residents living with chronic substance use conditions and is a partnership between the County of San Diego, the City of San Diego, and Episcopal Community Services. For more information, visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/c-hrtsafehaven. 

A Mother's Leap of Faith

Brenda and her daughter London at Brenda’s graduation. *July 2023.

SAN DIEGO – Meet Brenda and her daughter London. A mother-daughter duo whose lives have been challenged by unusual obstacles. London was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes fluid buildup in the brain, leading to visual impairment and partial epilepsy. “I had to stop work to be able to stay home and take care of her,” Brenda said, noting that most daycare centers wouldn’t accept London due to her special needs.

Brenda was recommended to ECS Head Start, an initiative that offers high-quality early childhood and family education at no cost to qualifying families. Although initially nervous, she soon found comfort with the Head Start team’s inclusive approach. “I was nervous at first,” said Brenda. “She had never been out of my sight.” Brenda explained that the team was very accommodating; “They allowed me to be a part of her plan, even letting me stay with her during her initial days at the center,” she said.

With the provision of necessary safety equipment and staff trained on a seizure plan, London began to thrive at Head Start. “She can be successful in a regular environment with regular children,” Brenda shared, full of pride. “It’s been wonderful to see how well she’s included, just like any other child.”

Head Start fostered London’s social skills and developmental progress and prepared her for the school district, where she continues to enjoy school and receive in-home instruction. Recounting the transformative impact of Head Start on London’s life, Brenda became emotional. “When London was born, the doctors didn’t have much hope for her. Now, she has exceeded all of our expectations and continues to grow. I’m glad she was a part of Head Start,” Brenda said. “Being in the program brought her so much joy.”

For Brenda, Head Start was also a game-changer. “It allowed me to go back to school, and as a mom, it helped me grow and know that it’s okay to let go of your children and know that there are people out there who will make sure that she’s safe and taken care of,” she said, adding that she wants families with children with similar needs to see that their kids can thrive in a regular classroom with the right tools and support.

ECS Head Start accepts children aged 0-5 and provides comprehensive wraparound services that benefit them and their families. For more about Head Start’s services, eligibility, or ECS in general, please visit www.ecscalifornia.org.

*Caption date may not be exact.

London enjoys story time with her Head Start classmates. *July 2023.

Special accommodations help London flourish in the classroom. *July 2023.

ECS Head Start Attends the NHA Block Party

(From left to right) Heidi Avent, Head Start Family Engagement Specialist, and Rosa Cabrera-Jaime, Director of Early Education and Family Services. June 2023.

SAN DIEGO – June gloom may have hung around San Diego too long, but that didn’t stop ECS from having a blast at the Neighborhood House Association’s (NHA) Block Party. The event occurred at Snapdragon Stadium and brought together dozens of community collaborators and over 2000 families for festivities and community resources. From games and crafts to former Los Angeles Chargers signing autographs, it was so much fun - it felt like a bright summer day!

Head Start staff members at ECS’ Block Party booth. June 2023.

ECS’ booth was filled with activities, Head Start resources, and enthusiastic staff eager to partake in the festivities. Connecting with other San Diego nonprofits like NHA makes for a memorable day, and witnessing multiple collaborators come together to help the community is a blessing. ECS was happy to participate and looks forward to next year. 

ECS Head Start provides high-quality early childhood education and wraparound services to qualifying families at no cost. The program empowers families by equipping them with the necessary resources for a successful future. Additionally, ECS offers services that enhance mental health, address substance use disorders, and supports those navigating homelessness.

For more information, visit Episcopal Community Services (ecscalifornia.org). 

ECS Head Start Jumps into Frog Street Conference

SAN DIEGO – ECS Head Start made some waves last week at Frog Street’s 2023 Splash Conference. The annual event occurred in Dallas, Texas, from July 20-22. Early childhood educators from all over the world came together for a weekend of learning and fun before leaping into the new school year.

Splash creates a space for educators to network, brainstorm, and dive into new perspectives and practices that aim to enhance early childhood education. The weekend included inspirational keynote speakers, quality curriculum training, collaborative breakout sessions, educational exhibits, and more. Frog Street, an early childhood learning solutions company, hosts the event annually. 

Several ECS Head Start staff members attended to receive new information and ideas. The educational experience will help the Head Start staff maintain high-quality education for its students. 

ECS Head Start, a federally funded preschool program, serves children aged 0-5. Offering not only early childhood education but also family education and wraparound services, this program is available at no cost to eligible families. Recognizing the crucial role early childhood education plays in a child's development and the challenges life can present, ECS Head Start commits to meeting the unique needs of students and their families through the services they provide, paving the way to a brighter future.

Learn more about ECS Head Start here.

ECS Head Start staff poses for a group photo at the conference. July 2023.

ECS Head Start staff enjoying the activities at Splash. July 2023.