Fall Festivities at the Resource Fair

Families pick out pumpkins to take home from the fair. October 2023.

SAN DIEGO – Head Start families came together with San Diego community partners for information on critical services and Halloween themed activities at ECS’ annual Fall Resource Fair. 102 families attended with over 300 total participants at the fair.

The Fall Resource Fair directly connected Head Start families with resources such as Para Las Familias, Triple P, PACE, SBCS, Sweetwater Adult School, The Bishop’s School, Sustain Abilities, San Ysidro Health, MAAC, Lead Prevention, Southbay Sustainable Communities, and Outreach Program Services of America. These community partners provide a range of services supporting mental health, education, tangible needs, and more.

The Fall Resource Fair was also bursting with fun activities. Participants dressed up in their “Halloween-best,” with a lucky three taking home “best original costume,” “coolest costume,” and “funniest costume.” Families enjoyed crafts, carnival games, and dancing, while also visiting community partner booths.

Uniting families and community partners contributes to a stronger San Diego.

Halloween festivities fit for all ages made the fair a memorable one. October 2023.

ECS staff and board members dress in costumes at the event. October 2023.

Filipino American History Month

Filipino ECS staff members take pride in their culture and history. October 2023.

SAN DIEGO – Alongside several autumn traditions and festivities, Filipino American History Month also falls in October. This history month commemorates the first arrival of Filipinos on American soil and presents an opportune time to delve into the rich legacy and contributions of Filipino Americans over the years.

Joan Borgonia, ECS’ education and behavioral health manager, embodies the spirit of this celebration. Borgonia’s roots trace back to the Philippines, as her parents migrated to the U.S., bringing a legacy of community service and generosity with them. Her mother, a devoted school teacher, nurtured the minds of children in impoverished areas in the Philippines. Her father dedicated himself to co-founding a non-profit that fostered connections among Filipino Americans while extending financial support to struggling families back in the Philippines.

For Borgonia, Filipino American History Month holds great significance. “It’s nice to know other people’s cultural backgrounds and where they came from. You can do that with the food, [and] the culture we bring to the United States,” she said, explaining how she’s taught her children Filipino customs, such as greeting elders with a blessing, so their culture will live on in future generations.

ECS celebrates the history and heritage of its employees and works to promote inclusivity in every aspect of the organization. “ECS has always made me feel welcomed, regardless of my culture or ethnicity,” Borgonia said. “ECS has always felt like family. I’ve been here for 20-plus years and have always felt embraced.” This sense of belonging is a cornerstone of ECS’ core values and helps to fuel its mission to break barriers and transform communities.

The values instilled in Borgonia by her parents and culture seamlessly align with the work of ECS. “[ECS’] beliefs, what they do, aligns with what my mom taught me… this program reminds me of her,” she said.

This Filipino American History Month, take the time to learn more about Filipino customs and the deep history of Filipino Americans impacting the U.S. Through a reflection on the shared values and the community-centric ethos of team members like Joan Borgonia, ECS continues to build a more inclusive environment, fostering deeper connections with the communities we serve.

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.