Episcopal Community Services Of The Diocese Of Pennsylvania

ECS CHALLENGES AND REDUCES INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY.

ST. BARNABAS MISSION: AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR FAMILIES, ST. BARNABAS PROVIDES STABILITY THROUGH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN A WELL-MAINTAINED FACILITY IN THE CARROLL PARK SECTION OF WEST PHILADELPHIA. MANY FAMILIES ENTERING OUR HOMELESS SHELTER AT ST. BARNABAS MISSION HAVE ALREADY SPENT MONTHS OR YEARS SLEEPING ON COUCHES AND FLOORS OR IN DANGEROUSLY SUBSTANDARD HOUSING. OTHERS ARE FLEEING ABUSE. A SAFE SHELTER TO STAY IS THE CRITICAL FIRST STEP TO STABILITY, BUT WE DON'T STOP THERE. WE PROVIDE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS AND ASSISTANCE CONNECTING FAMILIES TO CARE. THE CHILDREN RECEIVE DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENTS AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT. CASE MANAGERS WORK WITH EACH FAMILY, NOT ONLY TO HELP THEM SECURE LONGER-TERM OR PERMANENT HOUSING, [CONT ON SCH O] BUT ALSO TO SET AND ATTAIN LIFE GOALS LIKE COLLEGE OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING. ST. BARNABAS MISSION CEASED OPERATING AS AN EMERGENCY SHELTER IN MARCH 2021. THE ST. BARNABAS FACILITY WILL BECOME A COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE PUBLIC BASED UPON RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF THE NEEDS AND RESOURCES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

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.

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. LAUNCHING IN JANUARY 2019, THE MINDSET PROGRAM WILL HELP 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.