Episcopal Community Services

At Episcopal Community Services, our mission is to break barriers and transform communities through programs rooted in our tradition of action and faith in God. 

We provide more than $34 million in health and human services in the areas of homelessness, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and early childhood education for over 7,000 clients in the San Diego region.

ACCORD

ECS ACCORD supports those arrested for, or convicted of, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Whether they are referred by County courts, probation office or the DMV, clients like Eileen receive the support they need to turn their lives around:

Retired Navy veteran Eileen came to ACCORD after a painful divorce led to alcoholism, a DUI conviction, and loss of custody of her young son. She enrolled in our 9-month ACCORD DUI program and found the support and hope she desperately needed to get her life back on track. Now, she is making plans to move closer to her family, and work towards a master’s degree.

“I went through some really hard times, but I’m happy and sober now,” Eileen shared. “ECS has been really good to me. I have my son, my place, a good life…and I’m looking forward to going home to my family. I’m so thankful.”

CERRC

The ECS Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC) serves adults struggling with substance use disorders. CERRC provides in-depth assessments, individual and group counseling, discharge planning, and help finding additional community services. Stories like Stephanie’s are common:

Once living in a tent and estranged from her family, Stephanie struggled with substance abuse. At CERRC, she began a journey of healing and growth. She faced her demons with support from her dedicated counselor, Summer. Now, after 19 months clean, she has reconnected with her family, secured a job, and is determined to make a difference in the lives of others.

As she shared her progress, Stephanie expressed her thankfulness, saying, "Miss Summer, I called to let you know I am still doing good and remember everything you said in the group. I'm starting school to be a drug and alcohol counselor!"

Head Start

ECS Head Start and Early Head Start offer high-quality educational services to low-income children and their families. Beyond supporting their educational, emotional, social, health, and nutritional needs, we provide “wraparound” services like family engagement programs, developmental and behavioral health support, and services for children with disabilities. We serve over 2000 families each year, like Jeannette and her daughter Mila:

Originally from Ensenada, Mexico, Jeanette face language barriers and isolation. She worried for Mila’s future, until she found a lifeline in Head Start. Head Start not only gave Mila the quality education and social skills she needed to grow and thrive, but also helped Jeannette connect with her new community and find resources like medical care and food pantries.

Jeanette shared her heartfelt gratitude: "The children have very good nutrition; all the money donated applies to families and children. All those children are going to be successful. Head Start is like a family because they help us."

Para Las Familias

ECS Para Las Familias (PLF) brings bilingual behavioral and mental health services to children in underserved communities in South Bay San Diego. Whether their trauma arises from abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or other life events, PLF is life-changing for families like Mary’s:

Mary was overwhelmed by her twin daughters’ clingy behavior and difficulties with potty training, until she found hope in PLF. Weekly play-therapy sessions and trust-building activities helped the girls gain confidence and independence, and helped their mom trust the progress they made.

Therapist Itzel had this to say: "Mary has shared many times how appreciative she is of the services. The most important piece with this family is knowing that mom has confidence in her ability to support her children. She shared that her growth goes beyond potty training but also to the relationship with her daughters and how much healthier and secure it feels now.”

Uptown Safe Haven

Uptown Safe Haven offers supportive housing for single adults struggling with chronic homelessness and mental health issues. Beyond a safe place to sleep, we provide employment counseling, mental health services, support groups, skill development workshops, and more. Our harm-reduction approach makes all the difference for people like Carlos:

Carlos struggled with homelessness and substance use disorder on and off for much of his life. When he found Uptown, it gave him the support he needed to get back on his feet. He especially loved the monthly art therapy classes – and even sold several of his pieces in a community art show!

“I spent my time drinking my life away,” Carlos said. “I lost everything. Then something led me to Uptown. Not sure if it was an angel, but I thank God that I found Uptown Safe Haven.”