Family Engagement Center Grand Opening

SAN DIEGO — The ECS Family Engagement Center (FEC) officially opened its doors to the public on Aug. 27 with a Grand Opening event. Public officials, community partners, ECS clients, board members, and staff, and community members alike gathered at the new FEC — located in Chula Vista — to explore the many resources FEC has to offer.

Community partners share their variety of resources the Grand Opening. August 2024.

The Family Engagement Center is a resource hub open to the public. From educational support for the whole family to workshops and seminars to emergency clothing and food, FEC works to ensure all families have the support they need.

Head Start staff poured in hard work to prepare FEC for its opening. August 2024. 

The event kicked off with speeches from ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS Director of Early Education & Family Services Rosa Cabrera Jaime, Policy Advisor for the Office of Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, and Head Start alumna Amanda Angulo and Field Representative for the Office of Congressman Juan Vargas Louis Ward. Afterward, a ribbon cutting signified the official opening of the FEC.

FEC offers a variety of resources to families in the San Diego community. August 2024.

Head Start staff led visitors on tours of the facility. They showed off spaces like the childcare room, the wellness space, the computer lab, and Sharia’s Closet. Community partnerships like Sharia’s Closet — an emergency clothing resource — create a “one-stop-shop” for any resource a family may need.

ECS is grateful for all who showed up to the FEC Grand Opening and excited to watch the center help uplift families in our community.

For more information about FEC, visit www.ecscalifornia.org/fec.

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.

CEO Participates as LEAD Advance Mentor

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons speaks to the women of the LEAD San Diego Advance program. July 2024.

SAN DIEGO — Authentic leadership shines through mentorship and guidance.

Our CEO, Elizabeth Fitzsimons, is among the respected mentors for the LEAD San Diego ADVANCE program, an initiative of the San Diego Regional Chamber.

The ADVANCE program, designed to elevate women to the highest levels in the workforce, fosters growth and resilience within our community. Through personalized coaching, mentorship, and skill-building, ADVANCE aims to increase the number of women in C-suite and leadership positions across business, government, and nonprofit sectors.

Thank you, Elizabeth, for your commitment to guiding the next generation of women leaders.

Advance supporting the growth of women leaders. July 2024.

Community leaders like Fitzsimons offer guidance to other women through the Advance program.
July 2024.

Letter from a Grateful Para Las Familias Parent

 
 

Read Spanish Translation Here/Lea la Traducción al Español Aquí

ECS Para Las Familias (PLF) is an outpatient behavioral and mental health clinic for low-income children ages 0 to 12 and their families. PLF’s bilingual therapists provide a variety of early-childhood mental health services that aim to strengthen guardian-child bonds, address behavioral issues, boost confidence, give tools for successful parenting, and more. Former PLF parent Alicia expresses her gratitude for the program in the following letter:

To whom it may concern,

First of all, I want to thank Para Las Familias for all their support towards my family. Everything we have learned is thanks to them, from the Zoom courses with Angie Puffelis through the Circle of Security; I liked it so much and understood so much that I took it again for eight more weeks to reinforce what I learned. In each class, one could express any doubts and achievements over time.

When the classes ended, I wanted to continue learning more about motherhood and how to help my son. So, I asked for more information and that was when they gave my son and I the opportunity to start therapy with "his Miss Letty," a person so noble and upright in her work.

We learned a lot as parents since my husband and I, along with my son, attended therapy together. My son has learned a lot and we along with him. There were a lot of breakthroughs, I could say a lot of things about her... but in short, she is a professional at what she does... My son still remembers her and every day he asks about her and Mrs. Elizabeth who is the best person to receive parents. She is so cute and so nice, polite, and always available to answer any questions, or any doubts, or other needs. The truth is that they have a super team: Laura, Irene, Miss Margarita, Nancy. Every time I go, I feel at home because that is how they make us feel when we arrive. All the scheduled appointments are respected, they never make us wait, and if there is need to reschedule, or accommodations are needed, there are always options to agree to carry out the appointments in case one of the two sides cannot...

In general, from my point of view, therapy is the best for me. I am taking therapy right now with Angie, and wooo yes, I leave with a lot of information that I can put into practice at home. I am also with Miss Margarita with a nephew in therapy, and she has helped me a lot to understand his emotions and see through his eyes. To put myself in his place and thus help him a lot.

I am so grateful because I know that Para Las Familias came into our lives at the exact moment to be able to continue moving forward as a family and as first-time parents. We already have many tools to continue life and what I love the most is that the Circle of Security applies to any person of any age and is very well understood.

You never leave empty-handed. The children always leave with stickers, snacks, or a small toy. The attention they give to each child is extraordinary, I definitely recommend this beautiful place. They also help you with a lot of resources, information for support either pantry, activities for children, or more courses, etc...

Thank you so much for everything and God bless anyone who reads these humble words...

These are the words of a grateful mother with a heart willing to learn with her family. The road is not easy, but I know that little by little and with patience everything will work out.

Alicia’s story is just one example of how PLF can make a profound difference in people's lives. We are grateful for her willingness to share her journey with us. These heartfelt words from a grateful mother show her dedication to learning and growing with her family. The road is not easy, but with patience and perseverance, progress is made, little by little.

THANK YOU, PARA LAS FAMILIAS.

Donate today to provide funding and support to help families like Alicia’s.