Your Impact
When you support Episcopal Community Services you challenge and reduce intergenerational poverty.
Accomplishing More Together
At ECS, we honor the inherent worth of every human being. We start by listening. When you meet people where they are and ask questions, you empower individuals and families to determine and follow their own path. It’s the best way to make a difference.
To strengthen connections in West Philadelphia, ECS formed a Community Advisory Council made up of local residents and professionals with deep ties to the area. These members bring expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to maintaining dignity while providing essential services. Watch this video to learn more.
Providing a beacon of hope
Watch the West Philly Unity Fest as ECS starts a bold new chapter of community leadership.
Read More About Unity Fest 2025
Episcopal Community Services (ECS) proudly hosted the West Philadelphia Unity Fest on Friday, June 7, outside the St. Barnabas Community Resource Center (SBCRC)—a joyful celebration marking a powerful new chapter of investment and leadership in the community.
The event brought together neighbors, partners, and supporters to celebrate ECS’s new designation as a Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) partner by the City of Philadelphia and the launch of a 275-block violence prevention and cleanup initiative, funded by an $874,042 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
From free food and music to raffles, games, and art activities, Unity Fest was a vibrant reminder of ECS’s deep roots and expanding role in West Philadelphia. The day also marked the public debut of The People of ECS, a portrait and storytelling exhibit honoring the individuals—participants, staff, and partners—who embody ECS’s mission.
“This work doesn’t start with policy—it starts with people,” said Anne Rice-Burgess, ECS CEO. “These new investments allow us to act on what we’ve heard from neighbors for years. We get to deliver—and we’re doing it from the block level up.”
The PCCD grant will fund a 275-block cleanup effort designed to reduce violence through visible neighborhood investment and paid employment opportunities. Crew members will earn living wages while receiving wraparound support from ECS, including housing assistance, job readiness support, and financial coaching. ECS will launch the initiative later this year in partnership with local organization Glitter.
As a newly designated NAC partner, ECS will expand its role in helping residents navigate housing, benefits, and essential services—building on years of trusted community work and backed by broad support from local organizations, elected officials, and neighbors.
Building on the day’s spirit of optimism and unity, ECS received a generous gift from Daughters of the King, an Episcopal women’s group dedicated to prayer and service.
Unity Fest also marked the expansion of ECS’s operations at St. Barnabas, which now will house the full ECS staff team. This new chapter strengthens ECS’s commitment to being a truly embedded and responsive neighborhood partner.
Enriching the lives of children and teens
Out of School Time programs are located in communities with the highest rates of poverty and unemployment. When school is out and caregivers are still at work, OST is there to provide enrichment and learning in a safe environment.
“I do it because it’s God’s work. Changing life for one child can change life for an entire community.” – Christian Holland, Senior Director of Out of School Time and Youth Programming
Watch Angel Natal, OST Site Director, describe the importance of providing kids a safe place to go when school ends.
Empowering individuals
MindSet is a program that focuses on career development and financial stability. This free program pairs individuals with coaches and group workshops. Mr. Allen, a participant in the MindSet program, has reached some big milestones—landing jobs, maxing out the savings program, and earning new certifications. He says the one-on-one coaching and supportive network have kept him accountable, connected him with valuable resources, and genuinely encouraged him to grow so he can give back and make a positive impact in his community.
Watch Mr. Allen describe how the MindSet program helped him reach his goals.
Supporting health and wellness
Feeding the hungry. Quality food is out of reach for many living in poverty in the region. Barriers such as lack of transportation, less money, and few stores with fresh produce make it difficult to put healthy food on the table for many families. ECS has prioritized food accessibility with its expanded community cupboard programs—because healthy people are fundamental to healthy communities.
Watch this video to see our Cook-Off program in action!
“There’s the saying ‘give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ But what happens when there aren’t any fish in the pond?”
— Rhena McClain, West Philly Native and Director of St. Barnabas Community Resource Center
Become a ECS Insider
Receive occasional, exclusive email updates including videos, stories, and information about how donors like you are making an impact in the lives of ECS participants.
Get direct and instant access to a member of our team who will share information about your impact, project updates, and stories from the field. These occasional communications go beyond the e-newsletter and are tailored toward supporters like you.