Episcopal Community Services

Episcopal Community Services challenges systemic poverty across the Diocese of Pennsylvania by reducing barriers to opportunities and empowering independence, wellness, and stability.  We work with youth, young adults, families, and the elderly. Founded by in 1870 by Bishop William Bacon Stevens, ECS maintains its historic relationship with the Diocese of Pennsylvania, a guiding force in our commitment to the baptismal covenant to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, to strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being” through high-quality social work and community building.

ECS programs offer opportunities for parish engagement and outreach ministry for individuals or for parish volunteer groups:

The Darby Mission
A collaborative effort of ECS, the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, the leadership of Darby Borough, and the Darby Free Library, The Darby Mission partners with community residents to alleviate the symptoms of poverty and hunger. The Darby Mission exists to foster hope and community in a neighborhood with many strengths. Collaborative and neighborhood focused, ECS’ work in Darby is a marriage of community-identified need paired with our high-impact programing. Join us to prepare and serve meals at our bi-monthly community dinners.

Community Outreach Partnership
Founded by Trinity Memorial Church and the surrounding neighborhood, Community Outreach Partnership relies on the work of dedicated volunteers who provide companionship and meals to the elderly and to homeless men. Our work calls attention to the common humanity shared by helpers and those who need help. Volunteer activities include: companionship for the lonely; meal assembly for the elderly; and serving dinner to men who are homeless during the cold winter months.

Dolphins of the Delaware Valley
Dolphins of Delaware Valley reach out in friendship to individual elderly residents in nursing and retirement homes as trained volunteers who visit once a week. Through companionship, volunteers alleviate loneliness and boredom for those who are confined to a retirement facility or nursing home. Become a Dolphin volunteer and build a friendship that can change a life.

ECS Consulting
ECS has is developed a capacity-building program for parishes and affiliated outreach missions. ECS has professionals on staff and relationships with others in the community who can share their expertise and best practices with your parish leadership. When a need is beyond our scope, we connect you to other resources that we have vetted and trust. The services of ECS staff will be offered based on a fee and/or in-kind exchange structure to be determined following a consultation.

Out of School Time
The OST program partners with eight local schools serving almost 700 children to provide after-school and summer camp enrichment programs at the elementary and middle school levels. Project-based learning activities utilize Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) curricula to facilitate new ways of acquiring knowledge. Become a tutor/mentor or lead an activity.

St. Barnabas Mission
An emergency shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness, St. Barnabas serves young mothers by providing case management, health services and education assistance as they move towards self-sufficiency.

St. Barnabas Mission also provides permanent supportive housing for large, chronically homeless families. St. Barnabas families enjoy activities with parish groups, focused around an activity and a simple meal or snack.

The Food Pantry at SBM provides emergency food relief for needy individuals in the Philadelphia area. We partner with Philabundance, Feeding America and local city agencies to decrease in instances of hunger in the community. The pantry is open to anyone that presents with a need on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Participants are provided with enough food to last approximately 2 days, once a month.

Seeing Youth Succeed and RISE
Youth enrichment programs fostering goal-setting, educational and employment attainment, these programs target young people ages 14-25. To really break the multi-generational nature of poverty in our region, young people need to be encouraged to dream and then work towards a strong and independent life. Many opportunities exist to serve as coaches and mentors, either on site or remotely.

Are you:

1. 18 - 25 years of age?
2. Looking for a job or a better job/ career?
3. Need help creating or improving a resume?
4. Want to improve your interview and networking skills?

Join us at the Resources. Independence. Success. Employment. Initiative at 225 S. 3rd Street Monday October 10th, October 17th, October 24th, or October 31st at 10 a.m. to find out how we can help you find the skills, connections, and resources you need to take you to the next level.

Resources Independence Success Employment is a 10 week program that offers job readiness training, job placement, one-on-one coaching and support, and connections to resources and networks.  Participants are eligible for transportation and gift card incentives for meeting benchmarks. Call 215-351-1443 or e-mail tamikah@ecs1870.org if you have any questions. We are located at 225 S. 3rd St. in Philadelphia.

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In addition to the above, ECS leads annual donation drives that benefit with children and families in our programs. For more information about our opportunities and services please contact us: www.ecsphilly.org | info@ecsphilly.org | 215-351-1400.