Episcopal Community Services (www.ecscalifornia.org)

Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is a diverse, faith-based human services agency with 80 years of service to the community. Programs focus on personal and social concerns including domestic violence, homelessness, job skill development, mental illness and addiction.

ECS Head Start programs support families by providing early childhood education and comprehensive services for underprivileged children and their families.  Currently, ECS oversees 16 Head Start programs throughout San Diego County.

ECS Housing and Supportive Services programs provide strength-based services to empower individuals and families. In addition to a place to live, residents receive emotional and spiritual support, case management, domestic violence education, life skill training, parent coaching, and facilitated access to community resources.

Specialized programs which focus on the needs of women and their children emphasize gaining independence through employment, education or job training while overcoming significant barriers.  Programs include:

• ECS Julian’s Anchorage at Gunnarson House
• ECS Julian’s Sanctuary
• ECS Reunion House

YWCA (www.ywcasandiego.org)

Since 1908, the YWCA of San Diego County has focused on improving the status of women and children, and advancing racial justice.  Although our programs have evolved to meet the changing needs in the community, we continue to work to better the lives of women and families.

• Becky’s House Emergency Shelter® -a 30-day confidential domestic violence shelter offering safety for women and children who are in immediate danger.
• Becky’s House® 1 – an18-month transitional residential program for survivors of domestic violence and their children. 
• Becky’s House® 2 – an 18-month transitional residential program for survivors of domestic violence and their children. ( Currently under construction and scheduled to open in fall 2007.)
•  Cortez Hill Family Center -- one of only three residential programs for homeless families in the city of San Diego, offering families a 90-day program stay.
• PASSAGES – a two-year, three-stage program for homeless women with an emphasis on counseling and career development designed to provide women with the tools necessary to obtain employment and permanent housing.

The YWCA of San Diego County also provides a comprehensive scope of residential support services that are tailored to rebuild the lives of homeless and domestic violence victims.  Every client receives residential services which include individual case management, individual, group and family counseling, substance abuse counseling, legal services, health screenings and job and housing research assistance.  All residential services provide housing, food and clothing.

• 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline provides crisis intervention, counseling and shelter placement to 5,000 callers each year.
• Legal Advocacy Mobile Program provides legal assistance to low-income women and families at twelve locations throughout San Diego County.
• My Sister’s Closet, the YWCA’s resale store, sells gently used merchandise to the public, while providing more than $50,000 in vouchers to YWCA program participants each year.