ECS News Blogs — Episcopal Community Services

Adrienne Wilkerson

Influential Leaders Join ECS to Drive Economic and Social Impact

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECS Welcomes Influential Leaders to Drive Economic and Social Impact Forward

CFO Darren Tune engages with Board and Staff members during the Board Retreat. October 2024.

San Diego, CA – Oct. 17, 2024 – Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is pleased to announce the addition of Justin Lewis and Donna Perdue to its Board of Directors, and the appointment of Darren Tune as the new Chief Financial Officer. These leaders bring extensive expertise and a deep commitment to ECS' values and mission. 

Justin Lewis joins the board with a strong background in finance, technology, and educational equity. Inspired by his parents' dedication to social justice, Justin has held leadership roles in higher education and global corporations. His focus on student affairs allows him to mentor students and develop programs that make education more accessible. As a board member, he will help guide ECS’ efforts in early childhood education and economic mobility. Justin holds an Ed.D. from UCSD, an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business, and a bachelor's degree from Williams College.

 Donna Perdue is an intellectual property attorney specializing in biotechnology and the founder of Perdue IP Law, APC. She is proficient in patent prosecution, IP management, and strategy development, working with clients in life sciences and other sectors. Donna’s experience in faith-based initiatives and managing complex intellectual property issues will support ECS’ strategic efforts with community programs. Donna holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, a Ph.D. from Cornell University, and a bachelor's degree from Rhodes College.

 Darren Tune brings extensive experience in nonprofit financial management to his role as ECS’ Chief Financial Officer. In leadership positions at the YMCA, Veterans Village, and Jewish Family Service, he demonstrated strong skills in budgeting and strategic financial planning. His expertise will be critical to ensuring the financial sustainability of ECS' expanding services for the San Diego community. Darren holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego, as well as an MBA and a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University, and has taught nonprofit finance, underlining his commitment to the sector.

 "Justin, Donna, and Darren's insight and dedication are invaluable additions to our board and leadership team," said Megan Costello, Board President of ECS. "Their unique perspectives will be instrumental in advancing our mission and making a greater impact in the region."

 "The ECS team and I are excited to welcome Justin, Donna, and Darren to our ECS community," said Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS' Chief Executive Officer. "The deep experience and talent they bring will enhance our efforts to tackle pressing challenges in health and human services, empowering ECS to serve our community more effectively."

ECS delivers $36 million in health and human services annually, addressing homelessness, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and early childhood education. With 23 locations, ECS impacts over 10,500 individuals throughout the San Diego region each year.

 For more information, please visit www.ecscalifornia.org/leadership.

Episcopal Community Services Awarded $50,000 Prebys Foundation Grant for Youth Behavioral & Mental Health Initiatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Episcopal Community Services Awarded $50,000 Prebys Foundation Grant
for Youth Behavioral & Mental Health Initiatives

San Diego, CA – Jan. 9, 2024 – Episcopal Community Services (ECS), an award-winning nonprofit organization committed to breaking barriers and transforming communities, proudly announces the receipt of a significant $50,000 grant from the Prebys Foundation. This generous contribution, earmarked for initiatives under ECS's Para Las Familias (PLF) program, represents a vote of confidence in the effectiveness and impact of ECS's work in the field of youth behavioral and mental health services.

ECS PLF will continue to change lives with the Presbys Foundation’s generous grant. January 2024.

The Prebys Foundation, a leading philanthropic organization in San Diego County, has recently allocated $30.6 million in grants across 147 organizations, demonstrating its dedication to visual and performing arts, medical research, healthcare, and youth success and financial stability. The substantial grant awarded to ECS aligns with the Foundation's focused efforts and underlines the critical role of mental health in fostering the development and well-being of young people within the community.

“This investment from The Prebys Foundation enables ECS to meet the growing demand for behavioral and mental health support for young children in our community,” said ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons. “ECS is grateful to the Foundation for recognizing this need and ECS’ role in delivering critical care to children and their caregivers.”

ECS Para Las Familias

Para Las Familias, a dedicated outpatient clinic, offers bilingual behavioral and mental health services to children in the under-resourced communities of the South Bay area. Focusing on the developmental needs of low-income children from birth to 12 years old, PLF plays a crucial role in their wellbeing. The recent grant stands to greatly enhance PLF's ability to extend its services and improve care quality, making a substantial impact on the lives of numerous children within these communities.

About Episcopal Community Services

ECS provides $38 million in comprehensive health and human services across the San Diego region. Through a range of wraparound programs encompassing early childhood education, mental and behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and homelessness services, ECS tailors its approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Annually supporting over 7,000 individuals, the organization leverages deep professional expertise and lived experiences to assist clients in realizing their full potential. To learn more about ECS’s transformative impact, please visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/.

About Prebys Foundation

The Prebys Foundation is the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County, working tirelessly to create an inclusive, equitable, and dynamic future for all San Diegans. In 2023 alone, the foundation awarded 214 grants totaling over $57 Million across various sectors. Visit www.prebysfdn.org/ to learn more.

Media Contact:
Adrienne Wilkerson
ECS Communications Director
awilkerson@ecscalifornia.org. ###

Episcopal Community Services Celebrates Success of Family-to-Family for the Holidays Gift-Giving Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Episcopal Community Services Celebrates Success of
Family-to-Family for the Holidays Gift-Giving Program

San Diego, CA – Dec. 27, 2023 – Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its annual Family-to-Family for the Holidays gift-giving program. This heartwarming initiative brought joy and Christmas cheer to many San Diego families in need, touching the lives of 315 individuals across 70 client families.

An ECS family receives gifts from Family-to-Family. December 2023.

Each family sponsored through this program includes at least one client receiving critical services from ECS in areas such as early childhood education, mental and behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment. This year's program witnessed not only an outpouring of generosity from the community but also remarkable stories of hope and resilience.

One such story comes from John Hoffman, a former client of an ECS transitional housing program. Having faced homelessness and despair after his discharge from the Navy in the early 1990s, John's life was transformed through the support and guidance he received at ECS. His journey from desperation to becoming a critical care RN is a powerful demonstration of the effect of ECS's work, and his return as a donor this year highlights the organization's full-circle impact.

“I was just discharged from the Navy, homeless, and needed help. The manager there, Linda Thomas, saw the desperation in my eyes and took me in. I lived there for 18 months, went to school, saved money, and met some of the kindest counselors who guided and helped me along the way," John shared in an emotional recount to Angel Ibarra, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships & Government Affairs, and lead of the Family-to-Family initiative.

Family-to-Family helps ensure a magical holiday season for all. December 2023.

Reflecting on John's story, Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS CEO, sent a heartfelt message to the staff: "John’s story is a powerful example of the lasting impact ECS makes on the people we serve. Team, thank you for all you do every day to make a difference."

ECS staff members also participated in the program, demonstrating their commitment to the organization's mission. Accompanying this press release are heartwarming photographs showcasing the joy and gratitude of the families involved in the program. These images capture the essence of the holiday spirit fostered by ECS's Family-to-Family program.

About Episcopal Community Services

ECS provides $38 million in comprehensive health and human services, breaking barriers and transforming communities across the San Diego region. Through a range of wraparound programs encompassing early childhood education, mental and behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and homelessness services, ECS tailors its approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Annually supporting over 7,000 individuals, the organization leverages deep professional expertise and lived experiences to assist clients in realizing their full potential. To learn more about ECS’s transformative impact, please visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/.

For more information about ECS or to arrange interviews and further media coverage, please contact Adrienne Wilkerson, Communications Director, at awilkerson@ecscalifornia.org or 619-346-8517. ###

ECS Announces New Board President and Welcomes New Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECS Announces Megan Costello as New Board President
and Welcomes New Board Members
Ana Lozano, Masada Ellis, and Shana Medley

 San Diego, CA – Jul. 20, 2023 – Episcopal Community Services is pleased to announce the promotion of Megan Costello from Board Secretary to Board President and the appointment of Ana Lozano, Masada Ellis, and Shana Medley to its Board of Directors. Each of these professionals brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to our board.

July 2023.

 Megan Costello brings more than 15 years of experience in building and scaling teams within SaaS – Software as a Service – companies across diverse sectors, including healthcare, social media, education, and nonprofits, which will provide a strong foundation for her new role. Known for her unwavering dedication to social causes, Costello has been actively involved with political campaigns and the San Diego chapter of the International Rescue Committee.

 Ana Lozano, a seasoned professional in the healthcare industry, has dedicated her career to supporting underserved communities in San Diego County. With more than seven years of experience at Molina Healthcare of California, Lozano is adept at forging community connections and addressing the needs of low-income families. Her commitment to enriching lives is reflected in her current role as a community representative for the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs Policy Committee for ECS.

Masada Ellis is a vibrant force in the arts and business sector. The CEO of NotApologeticStudiosLLC, Ellis combines professional expertise in finance, shipment management, and database programming with a powerful passion for music. An advocate for individuality and self-expression, Ellis not only contributes to the community as a chess instructor for elementary school children but also holds the chairman position for several parent committees, including NHA, ECS, and Zamorano Elementary School.

Shana Medley brings to the board her extensive experience in integrated marketing, event management, public relations, and business development. As the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Century Club of San Diego, she is instrumental in the success of the city's annual PGA TOUR event, the Farmers Insurance Open. Her career spans diverse industries, and in addition to her professional pursuits, Shana's personal passion for sports and fitness brings an energizing dynamic to any role she serves.

"We're incredibly excited for Megan’s presidency and for Ana, Masada, and Shana to join our board," said Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS’ Chief Executive Officer. "Their expertise and commitment to community service will undeniably strengthen our board with new insight and innovation.”

Megan Costello, the newly appointed board president, added, "Our board is full of passionate individuals from all parts of San Diego County who are committed to making our community a place where all people can thrive, and I'm excited about what lies ahead for us this year."

Please visit www.ecscalifornia.org/leadership to learn more about our new board members and the impactful work of ECS.

Media Contact:
Adrienne Wilkerson
ECS Communications Director
awilkerson@ecscalifornia.org. ###