Stepping-Stones to Stability

Diana and her dog Molly. September 2023.

SAN DIEGO – Diana was at the lowest point of her life prior to finding help at C-HRT Safe Haven. She was trapped in a domestic violence situation, living on the streets, addicted to drugs, and battling untreated mental illness. According to the 2023 Point-in-Time Count conducted by the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, Diana was one of approximately 10,264 homeless individuals in San Diego County. “It’s just crazy how it just spiraled, then you become clueless and helpless, and you don’t know what to do. And it’s like people shun you; they don’t want to help you,” she shared. “I was just tired of it.”

Thankfully, in December of 2022, Diana was referred to C-HRT and began her journey forward. Sam Fookes, C-HRT Safe Haven Program Manager, observed, “Diana arrived at C-HRT Safe Haven as a very quiet person who mostly kept to herself.” Diana herself said, “The first day I showed up here [at C-HRT] … whenever I left out of here, I don’t know why, I cried. I was scared because it was the first time I actually took a step to do something for me.”

Diana was lost, confused, and afraid to face life alone. However, the C-HRT community ensured she had the support she needed. “It has been a privilege to watch her grow into a strong, independent individual,” Fookes added. Diana spoke about the transformative impact of the safe haven, highlighting everything from the simple joys of privacy and home-cooked meals to the invaluable mental health services and the sense of stability it provided her. “This place has been a major stepping-stone for me,” she stated.

Since moving into C-HRT, the services and support have helped Diana regain control of her thoughts and direction in life. “I started seeing the mental health people a lot more and started feeling more settled here,” she said. “Now I feel like I can come home to something and be okay, be safe.” Fookes noted, “She has even expanded her family by adopting a furry friend named Molly. Molly has completely changed Diana’s worldview, and she truly puts herself and her family first.”

The program also helped Diana prepare for the path ahead. “I am excited to learn what new opportunities and achievements Diana will make with the support of the C-HRT Safe Haven community behind her,” said Fookes. Diana has decided to revamp her cleaning service here in San Diego. She has acquired her LLC, customers, and even a website for her business.

A sense of family and stability has also been prominent to Diana at C-HRT. “I’ve never had that close-knit family,” she said. With the staff and other clients at C-HRT, “you get to see these people day in, day out now, it’s like they’re family, it’s like they’re your brothers or sisters,” she stated.

The Community Harm Reduction Team (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, Family Health Centers, and Episcopal Community Services. Mental health services, substance use disorder aid, and help to achieve stability are just a few ways the program supports its residents.

You can make a tangible difference in the lives of residents like Diana by donating your time, talents, or funds to support their healing journey. For more information, visit ECS California C-HRT Safe Haven.

Scoring Community Goals with the San Diego Loyal Soccer Club

SAN DIEGO – ECS partnered with the San Diego Loyal Soccer Club for the third year in a row, yielding a collaboration with significant rewards. Players from the Loyal team visited St. John’s Head Start for a field day on September 14. During their visit, Loyal players and staff were given a school tour before joining students, teachers, and parents outside for various festivities. The day was filled with games, drawings, and many opportunities for the children and players to interact.

Michael Chilaka, who plays the central back position and is a new addition to the Loyal, shared his feelings about the visit: “It’s a great honor for me to know the community and to share the moments with the young guys and families here,” Chilaka stated.

America, the mother of Agustine - who’s attended St. John’s Head Start for two years, also voiced her thoughts on the Loyal’s visit. “My kids have grown up with soccer, so having a team like the Loyal come down to visit us is pretty cool,” America said.

Head Start students, staff, parents, and Loyal players take a group photo at field day. September 2023.

“The connection we’ve established with the San Diego Loyal transcends the soccer field,” reflected Adrienne Wilkerson, ECS Communications Director. “It’s a vivid illustration of the synergy and unity achieved when organizations align around common values. And together, we’re fostering beneficial change in the community.”

On September 24, the San Diego Loyal squared off against the Las Vegas Lights FC at Torero Stadium. Notably, the match culminated in a 1-1 draw, showcasing the Loyal’s tenacity on the field. As the season unfolds, the Loyal’s potential playoff spot remains within reach. ECS showcased its unwavering support throughout the game, with numerous representatives present. Twenty-two kids, fourteen Head Start families, several Para Las Familias (PLF) families, and other distinguished ECS staff and board members were in attendance.

Monica Sandoval, an ECS Child Development Specialist Supervisor, spoke about the event’s significance and profound impact on the families. “The partnerships we do here are very important,” Sandoval remarked, “I saw the excitement and the joy of the people that were riding the bus [to the event]; we’re so glad to be part of this adventure.”

ECS’ alliance with the Loyal opened wonderful opportunities for ECS families. Stefani Polonia, Vice President of Ticket Sales, Service, and Memberships for the San Diego Loyal, discussed the mutual benefits of the partnership with ECS. “A lot of the things that are important to us are giving back and volunteering. We’ve done over a thousand hours of community service as an organization,” Polonia shared.

Building on that sentiment, Polonia added that the Loyal sees their fans as family, and building community is central to their brand. “You’re out there really making an impact on people outside of being here on match day. So, you get to build those unique relationships and get introduced to new organizations,” she stated.

ECS Board Member Ana Lozano emphasized the importance of such collaborations. “We’re making sure that families feel that they are part of the community, and part of the community is being involved with the professional teams that support great organizations like Episcopal Community Services,” she expressed.

ECS families and staff pose for a picture before the soccer match. September 2023.

Although 2023 will mark the Loyal’s final season, their legacy will be felt, especially within the ECS family. “Those families… will forever remember that story, that experience,” Polonia said. “People who are sports fans, they think about the first time they went to a game with their parents… and those memories, they will always remember that.”

For more information about ECS’ early childhood programs, including Head Start and PLF, visit Episcopal Community Services at ecscalifornia.org.

Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month

SAN DIEGO – As summer comes to an end, there’s still plenty to look forward to. Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and lasts until October 15. The beginning of the holiday month coincides with various Central and South American independence days, such as Mexican Independence Day on September 16. 

Some of ECS’ Latino/Hispanic staff gather for a group photo. September 2023.

Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect and educate on Latinos’ role in American history. The month ahead presents an opportunity to honor a community that’s so prevalent and influential in the San Diego area and here at ECS.

ECS strives to promote an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees. Brenda Wilson, ERSEA Supervisor for Head Start, has been part of the ECS family for 22 years and says she has always felt welcomed and comfortable working at ECS. “It is nice, you do feel seen, you do have a voice,” Wilson shared. “There’s a lot of representation. As of recently, to see [Rosa Cabrerra] go in as our director is nice. It’s nice to see that representation for us. I’ve always felt that here.”

Jose de la Torre, Accounting Controller, recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. September 2023.

Jose de la Torre, the Accounting Controller, echoed this observation of representation and diversity in the workplace. “One of the things I notice at ECS is the diversity,” he stated. “Most of the employees at ECS, we come from different backgrounds. We could be Mexicans born in Mexico or Mexicans born in the U.S., and I also see other people coming from different races, different countries; you see diversity.”

Brenda Wilson, ERSEA Supervisor, is proud of the Latino/Hispanic representation she sees at ECS. September 2023.

Diversity and inclusion for the Latino community continue beyond the workforce; it also extends to our clients. “We serve a high community of Latino families and families that are immigrants,” Wilson said. “You’re coming to a whole new world that you have no idea about, that you do not know the language. I have [a] particular perspective on that because my mom was an immigrant here.”

Representation helps serve our community to the best of our ability. “Being in National City and Chula Vista, Spanish-speaking people are probably going to be the biggest community,” de la Torre noted. “We must be diverse; otherwise, we may have a problem in performing our services… we need to be sure that we have what we need for the type of communities we serve, so [they] feel comfortable coming to us.”

The Latino community’s contributions to America are often overlooked despite their significant population and influence. Take the month to learn more about Latino/Hispanic history and celebrate the culture of those communities.

Forming a Foundation of Trust

Antonio and Alexander play and learn during a therapy session at PLF. August 2023.

SAN DIEGO – Parenting is simultaneously one of life’s greatest gifts and one of the most terrifying tasks that can be bestowed upon someone. Raising a child is complicated and can be scary, especially when you’re doing it alone. Alexander, a 64-year-old single father, has been raising his 5-year-old son Antonio on his own since Antonio was just a few days old. Their situation has not always been easy, but they have found incredible support in Para Las Familias (PLF).

After working with their therapist and attending classes the father and son have formed a bond of trust. August 2023.

Alexander and his son have attended therapy and classes at PLF for about a year, and their therapist, Melissa Donate, spoke on the inspiring improvements they have made. When she met Alexander and Antonio, both had difficulty expressing their emotions and communicating. Alexander was closed off emotionally — what one may think of as a very stereotypical man — and Antonio had tantrums and behavioral issues, which Alexander did not know how to handle. Thankfully, a doctor directed them to PLF.

The positive impact PLF has had on them is clear; Alexander smiled wide while sharing that in the 12 months he and his son have been at PLF, “I don’t regret it one minute.”

The father and son have formed a trusting and communicative relationship through their family therapy sessions and Alexander’s parenting classes at PLF. And Alexander never misses an opportunity to further their progress. “We’re coming back tonight,” he said, sitting in a PLF therapy office at that very moment.

PLF works to create security between parent and child, a crucial factor in development. “Our program focuses a lot on attachment,” Donate explained. “How you grow up, if you grow up to be anxious, it has to do with attachment. With families, parents, and children, the most important thing they forget to focus on is the relationship. That’s one of the main things we work on here.” Alexander and his son show the powerful change the focus on relationships can bring.

Alexander also expressed how much the parenting classes and the presence of other parents have helped him as a single father. Entering the parenting course, Alexander realized, “I’m not the only one out there… especially seeing the single moms… and what they have to go through. I’m not alone.” The parents at PLF have formed a support system among each other, encouraging one another to come to class and continue learning together.

Together, the parents at PLF have learned how to communicate and understand their children. “We thought they were just acting out, but no, they’re not acting out; it’s their way of communicating to us,” Alexander explained. “We learn to understand when they’re crying, why they’re crying. They’re not crying just to be bratty,” he laughed. “They’re crying because something is really bothering them, or something is not right. They want that security, to be hugged and told it’s okay.”

Since starting therapy and classes at PLF, Alexander’s mindset as a parent has blossomed. He spoke earnestly, explaining how he’s learned to understand his son. Alexander explained that when his son gets upset, “he’s not doing it intentionally. They’re children. I learned to have more patience with him. More understanding.” Now, when Antonio makes a mess or a simple mistake, his father tells him, “It’s okay… we can clean it up together.”

Alexander pridefully shared that Antonio has just started kindergarten and is making many friends. Not only is he excelling in the classroom, but he also openly displays love and trust toward his father, which made Alexander beam just talking about it. “My son has had an advantage that other kids haven’t had,” Alexander stated. And to Alexander, that advantage could mean a world of difference for Antonio’s future. “You never know; he could be the president. He could be the mayor,” he said. “Just from this program, the things he learned, the opportunity he had to come here… my son is getting the best.”

Parenting is rewarding but hard. And there is no instruction manual on how to do it perfectly. But Para Las Familias gives caregivers like Alexander the support they need to do their best. “The parenting tools now that I have in place, and the therapy I have in place have made a world of difference in my life,” stated Alexander. For more information, visit Para Las Familias — Episcopal Community Services (ecscalifornia.org).