ECS Goal Getter: Janira's story
Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Janira B., a proud member of the ECS Goal Getter community. My journey with ECS's Mindset program has spanned five enriching years, a period marked by significant personal and professional growth. When I first embarked on this transformative path, I grappled with a career that, while fulfilling, did not fully ignite my passion. However, the collaborative spirit and unwavering support I encountered within the ECS ecosystem proved to be a catalyst for positive change.
ECS Receives "Innovative Project" Support Grant from the Sarah Ralston Foundation!
ECS is proud to receive a 2024 Innovative Project Support Grant from The Sarah Ralston Foundation, joining a diverse group of nonprofit organizations committed to addressing the most pressing needs of vulnerable, underserved older adults across Philadelphia. These projects span a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, housing, digital literacy, and community engagement, with a focus on empowering this population and fostering resilience.
Events St. Barnabas Community Resource Center
Fall Fest 2024 - Great Success!
Last Saturday, Episcopal Community Services hosted its annual Fall Festival, an event beautifully organized by ECS’ Lavonia Page. This year's theme was "Get Your House in Order." The community was welcomed into St. Barnabas Community Resource Center, where the fun was just beginning. Once through the doors, individuals received a family pack full of household essentials, including dish soap, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, a set of screwdrivers, utensils, cutlery, and more. Each pack also included a dental kit with toothbrush, toothpaste and timer, donated by Penn Dental.
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."
Ties That Bind
At the St. Barnabas Community Resource Center, it is more than just a food pantry—it is a place where community flourishes. People greet each other warmly, saying “Good morning” and “Hello, neighbor,” checking in on one another with genuine care. One recent moment stands out: someone waiting their own turn for reasons of food insecurity, quietly pulling me aside to say, “I wanted to make sure you knew that the person behind me in line may need a little extra care today.” She knew that once the other person walked in, he would be greeted with welcoming concern and immediate action. It is these small, intentional acts that embody the spirit of this place.
Inside St. Barnabas, the quotes on the walls are not just words; they are lived every day. “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together,” reads a quote from Desmond Tutu. It is felt in the way people reach out to each other, knowing that their well-being is interconnected. Nearby, Pauli Murray’s words remind us of the foundation of a thriving community: “True community is based on equality, mutuality, and reciprocity. It affirms the richness of individual diversity as well as the common human ties that bind us together.”
The common human ties that bind us together.
While we work towards a future where no one must stand in a food pantry line, St. Barnabas remains committed to being more than just a resource. It is a place where neighbors recognize each other and ask, “How are you?” It is a space where the simple, yet profound, gestures of mutual care multiply. At last night’s community dinner, I sat next to a woman who brought in a newcomer, who told me he recently lost his housing and wanted to know more about what resources ECS may have for him. Here, community is not just an idea but an everyday practice—one where people uplift one another, recognizing our shared humanity.
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.
Anne Rice-Burgess' September Reflection
Earlier this month, we observed Labor Day. We often forget what that means, because we celebrate with a (well-deserved) day off. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed to recognize the American worker’s contributions to our country’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
ECS Employee Spotlight
Featured employee Amber Wool, MSW, LSW, shares her ECS story as a data reporting specialist. View her full story below.
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.