Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of Pennsylvania

St. barnabas Community resource center: ecs transformed st. barnabas mission from a 107-bed emergency shelter to a resource center in the carroll park/overbrook/haddington Community of west philadelphia. Ecs offers an open-choice food pantry open t-f, 10:00-2:00 supplied with food and household goods primarily rescued by philabundance from local grocers. Nutrition and wellness classes are available. An industrial kitchen supports cook-off, which prepares meals for seniors. Housing, financial, legal, tax, and work force counseling and workshops are offered by ecs specialists and partner organizations. A behavioral health clinic operates at the site. Incubator space is available for Community meetings and a safe outdoor space with a playground is available for events. [cont on sch o]digital literacy equipment and support are available.

Mindset is a family-based program focused on career development and financial stability, pairing one-on-one coaching with group training to help individuals to develop skills, achieve their set goals, and gain self-sufficiency. Launched in january 2019, the mindset program helps shift participants from a crisis management mindset toward a goal attainment mindset at their individual pace, with ecs providing continuous support for as long as five years.

Out of school time: this afterschool enrichment program offers project-based learning and 21st century skills for kids in elementary and middle grades. the programs operate during the school year and over summer break in the philadelphia neighborhoods of feltonville and carroll park, and in darby, pa. at the out of school time (ost) program, educational enrichment is a major priority, as is providing a safe, constructive environment in times when school is out and parents are still at work. After-school and summer camp activities include academic support,cultural enrichment, and healthy recreation to help kids thrive. Ost's daily activities benefit youth, but at its core, ost brings families together and serves as a resource for the neighborhood. [cont on sch o]a typical afternoon or summer day is jam-packed with educational clubs, homework help, and nutritious snacks. Monthly family night brings together generations over meals and celebrations. We use steam-based curriculum, which means that projects are created to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Ecs is recognized as a top provider in philadelphia, offering a safe and nurturing environment where each child is empowered to be their best.

the learning and evaluation department provides evaluation coaching to all ecs staff. the primary goal of this department is to foster a robust and rigorous learning culture throughout the whole agency. Towards that end, this team supports programs in collecting and using data to inform programming decisions to improve outcomes for participants and supports other agency staff in using data to tell the story of our impact. This work is structured using logic models, monthly meetings with programs, quarterly dashboard reviews, and participant feedback surveys.inclusion and advocacy: inclusion capitalizes on individual differences and puts the practice of diversity into action by creating an environment of involvement, collaboration and respect of ideas, styles, behaviors and perspectives. Our responsibility as an organization is to create an environment where participants and staff feel welcomed, respected, valued and heard; approach our work with cultural humility; and provide our staff with tools and educational opportunities to promote inclusive practices. Advocacy leads development of programs and Services that begin to engage our participants and the Community in their own empowerment process to change the system, so that they have access to a full range of possibilities. We are committed to taking a public stand on the systems of oppression and oppressive policies that prevent our participants from achieving the success we know they are capable of.housing: for individuals and families who have struggled with homelessness, affordable housing, sometimes coupled with supportive Services, is the foundation for stable, productive lives. Ecs sources an apartment through external landlords and participants assume incremental responsibility for rent over 12 months. Our housing programs combine quality housing with comprehensive Services for families who have experienced homelessness. We use the nationally-recognized housing first approach, which means families are housed as quickly as possible. Each family has access to coaching and is offered life skills workshops, health assessments, and employment support. Homes are located in neighborhoods throughout philadelphia.seeing youth succeed (sys):works with youth aged 14 through 18. the primary focus is on the soft professional skills gained through project-based learning activities - promoting critical thinking,accountability, and ultimately preparing each teen for adulthood. Young people in the program participate in three projects over the academic program year in the areas of entrepreneurship, media and technology, and service learning. They complete career assessments, and with a mentor, review the results against career research, hiring trends, and education requirements. the objective to match each teen's aptitudes and interests with a career goal and to develop an education and career plan.volunteer:compassionate volunteering is a part of our legacy. Through the efforts of our volunteers, the lives of those we serve are enriched. Volunteer activities include: Community meal preparation and Services, companionship for the elderly, afterschool tutor, activity host, and career mentor. Volunteer Services ensure that all volunteering is managed with respect to the needs of participants and volunteers alike.dolphin companions:dolphin companions coordinates the work of dedicated volunteers to provide companionship to men and woman who are aging in place and living alone or in an assisted living facility. Our work here calls attention to the common humanity shared by helpers and those who need help. Ecs closed the program on 12/15/2022 with the retirement of the program's coordinator and the evolution of ecs' strategic direction towards economic mobility programming.health & wellness:our commitment to health and wellness reaches into every program area at ecs because health is a core component of stability. Ecs uses health screenings and wellness education to help ecs program participants and Community members identify their health needs. These Services are integrated into every program and activity. Families in our housing programs receive regular health screenings thanks to a partnership with jefferson, the children's hospital of philadelphia and the philadelphia college of osteopathic medicine. Ecs offers a year-long diabetes prevention course. Mental health supports are offered through malvern Community health Services at our health and wellness clinic at st. barnabas Community resource center. Parents are also encouraged to attend our parenting classes, offered in conjunction with the parenting collaborative and our fatherhood programs, leveraging the therapeutic use of parent groups to support both single and dual parent households.