Learn more about new partnerships, community-wide events, pilot programs, and the success of our participants.

Mindset: Level Up Celebration

Several participants from the MindSet Program recently “leveled-up” in a ceremony celebrating their achievements at the ECS St. Barnabas Community Resource Center. MindSet is a program focused on career development and financial stability. Uniquely, this program offers one-on-one coaching, a matched savings programs, cash incentives, and access to emergency funds for up to 7 years. ECS’s team of specialists provide additional intensive support in the areas of financial management, housing, and career development. The participants who were recognized increased their income and savings and decreased their debts, in addition to achieving other goals, allowing them to be promoted to the next phase of the program.

Lights On After School

"Lights On After School is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year."

Advocacy Event

It's Basic: Movie Screening

On October 21st, 2024, ECS screened a film: It's Basic, a documentary that follows several people facing the challenge of poverty who are given a sum of money monthly – often referred to as guaranteed income - through government pilot programs for 10 months up to 2 years. Even though ECS does not work in the guaranteed income space, we are always looking for ways to highlight innovative programs that help to lift people out of poverty, in line with our mission to challenge intergenerational poverty.

ECS Employee Spotlight

Featured employee Amber Wool, MSW, LSW, shares her ECS story as a data reporting specialist. View her full story below.

Advocacy

Benefits Cliff Researcher Says Coalitions Can Help

It was a return trip for Samantha, a former ECS intern in the Inclusion and Advocacy department. At ECS, her specific role was to research the benefits cliff. Her work involved reviewing policy documents, following up with existing ECS partners and making new connections with other organizations that are also addressing the benefits cliff issue.