Episcopal Communities & Services Foundation was created in 2008 to provide charitable care for residents through programs and services that enrich the physical, spiritual, emotional, and social well-being of seniors. One of the main pillars is to reinvest funds in our communities and in our people.

Charitable service is at the heart of everything we do. This year, after an incredibly trying time for all, we want to recognize the tireless efforts of our employees who have looked out for our residents’ needs, day in, day out, often going above and beyond to fulfill their role in our continuing care retirement community.

Our Summer Appeal reflects our depth of gratitude for their work, and money raised will go directly to supporting our employees through:

• The Employee Education Fund
• SAFE: Staff Assistance Fund for Emergencies.

These programs provide both a springboard to the future and a safety net for unforeseen and difficult circumstances.

One of our core values at ECS is lifelong learning and the Employee Education Fund (EEF) directly supports this commitment. Through EEF, staff are able to apply for financial aid to offset education expenses. Recently, the program was able to assist two team members. One of the fitness coordinators at MonteCedro applied his EFF assistance to the cost of achieving his degree in Kinesiology, which in turn helps our residents. Another staff member at The Canterbury applied their EEF assistance toward her Bachelor and Masters of Nursing. This program is for staff but in the end, it enhances the lives of everyone — the employees advance in their careers and our residents benefit from their enhanced skills.

Looking out for one another comes naturally to us and SAFE: Staff Assistance Fund for Emergencies is a perfect example of our words in action. The program has traditionally been entirely funded by our own team members, reflecting how important it is to help each other in times of unexpected need. Recently, external money has helped contribute to this program. In the last 10 months alone, SAFE has provided $75,000 to our staff for unplanned life events, such as support for a special needs child.

Joanne Pineda, Assistant Director of Advancement says, “We hear it all the time from our employees: “I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t work for ECS.”

Your generous donation will help sustain initiatives for those working to care for our residents, while reinforcing the deeper sense of community that drives our purpose.