Epiphany Is Expanding The Early Childhood Education Center
We have long been a place where women can participate in residential recovery services while keeping their young children by their side. Keeping families together not only increases the likelihood that the mother will complete and sustain her recovery journey but also ensures her children receive essential developmental support during this pivotal time.
Historically, our facilities have been able to care for 15 children at any one time and only between the ages of zero (0) and three (3) years. A long-time dream of ours has been to expand our childcare facilities so that we can increase the number of children we can have in our care as well as increase the amount of time those children can stay with us - greatly increasing their long-term developmental success.
To make this dream a reality, over the last two years, we proudly secured competitive grant funding from the Low Income Investment Fund and CAL Fire to support the expansion of our Early Childhood Education Center. The two-phase project will nearly triple the number of children we can support from 15 to 44 via our first ever Pre-K program, 4 additional classrooms, and a 17,450 square-foot learning and play green schoolyard. The project has been broken into two phases and is well underway.
Phase 1: The renovation of our already onsite toddler classroom to accommodate a classroom that will host our inaugural PreK program and will accommodate 16 children.
Phase 2 (A): The renovation of our existing 5,280 square-foot modular building to a new infant/toddler center that will increase our infant/toddler program census from 15 to 28 children. These upgrades will include the green schoolyard
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Dear Friends of Epiphany,
I was recently asked to write what being at Epiphany Center means to me to share with prospective donors. I would like to share it with all of you. Being at Epiphany Center gives me the privilege of helping many children, whose mothers are challenged by substance addiction, homelessness, unemployment, and long histories of trauma and abuse. We listen to each mother’s story and their dreams for the future of their children. Most women come to the residential program from the streets, jail, court diversion programs, and hospitals after giving birth. They show amazing courage, resilience, humility, and faith. It is difficult to overcome any addiction but to also have to cope with hunger, housing, and a child’s needs would be almost impossible without support. Many have little or no contact with their families.
Epiphany Center has been named on Newsweek’s list of Best Addiction
Sarah Shares Her Story
I am an addict. It took me a long time to be able to say those words. It was difficult to admit. I had never been homeless, always had a job, and graduated from a great university. Nevertheless, I had created so many problems for myself. I started using alcohol at 18 and drugs when I was 22.
Treatment Programs in America for the last four years of the five years there has been a list. I believe it is because we have continued to evolve and develop several great programs, and because every staff is also imbued with the Vincentian Values of Respect, Compassion, and Advocacy.
Epiphany strives to provide a holistic support system for a woman’s recovery: recovery counseling; free, quality, licensed therapeutic childcare; parenting groups that emphasize positive attachment; trauma-informed care for women and children; early intervention for prenatal drug exposure; an on-site pediatric clinic; on-site mental health clinic; wellness and good nutrition. Services are also provided for partners as needed because we recognize that the whole family needs to be strengthened together.
I eat supper with our women every Wednesday evening. I listen to their stories and their dreams. I let them know how grateful I am that they have come to Epiphany because I believe that God has brought them—and me—here at this time. We provide
the classes and the tools they need to change and maintain sobriety, but they do the hard work with grace and gratitude. We have regular town hall meetings where they have an opportunity to find their voices for self-advocacy. Their successes are recognized and celebrated and their transition to the community includes a sobriety plan.
Our women are amazing in their fight to do all they can to overcome years of addiction, often to be a good mom, but often because they want to live. One woman said, “I’m not here for my baby; I’m here for me and then I can take care of my baby.” In many of their stories there is a common theme: “Epiphany saved my life.” I want to thank each of you for assisting Epiphany Center in helping our women achieve their hopes and dreams to live life more fully.
Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas,
I became a very sick, unhappy person. I finally gave in, and asked for help. Epiphany Center was the best decision I have ever made. As addicts, we are accustomed to immediate gratification. Through groups, counselors, and fellow clients, I learned to be patient, tolerant, and compassionate. We practiced helping each other, and at the end of the day, that is what matters most. I learned lifelong money management skills and benefited from the Center’s wonderful services including off-site therapy. I continue gaining strength from a supportive network of other recovering individuals. Since graduating, I moved into the transitional housing program. I love the balance of freedom and structure while still having Epiphany’s familiar support system and resources so close. I have launched an exciting career, rebuilt healthy relationships with my family and friends, and am earning a certificate in the mental health field. I look forward to one day giving back to my community what was so freely given to me. Today, my life is filled with so many good things that I could only dream of before Epiphany. I am forever grateful. Thank you for believing that we are not a lost cause.
along with the addition of four more classrooms, a teacher support center, a prep kitchen, a communal area, laundry, and storage.
Phase 2 (B): The transformation of 17,450 square feet of play area to include new plantings and gardens for experiencing nature and imaginative play.
We are thrilled to announce that we have already completed Phase 1 of the expansion and have moved our current toddlers to this space to facilitate Phase 2 - the renovation of our modular building and green schoolyard. The extensive renovation began this August and is expected to be completed in April 2025. We are all really looking forward to its completion at which time we will be able to open our Pre-K program and begin to help that many more families build brighter futures.
The Power of Green Play
Our new green schoolyard is part of CAL FIRE’s initiative to not only expand nature-inspired play spaces but also reduce greenhouse emissions in childcare centers across California. Led by the Department of Early Childhood (DEC) and the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), the initiative’s play spaces seek to further children’s connection with nature and provide safe, enriching, and stimulating settings to develop skills and curiosity while fostering a love for the outdoors. This program will revitalize the outdoor spaces of 30 of San Francisco’s early learning programs and we are thrilled to have been chosen to be included in CAL FIRE’s plan. According to an article recently published in the the Los Angeles Times, “researchers have found nature-based learning supports creativity, resiliency, executive function, school readiness and a host of other benefits for the body and mind.” (Lila Seidman, September 20, 2024). Upon completion of this project, Epiphany will have a beautiful, nature-filled outdoor space to inspire and support this style of naturebased child education and meaningful outdoor learning, movement, and imaginative play.
“Nature-based learning supports creativity, resiliency, executive function, school readiness and a host of other benefits for the body and mind.”
JOSEPH – ST. ELIZABETH
100 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, California 94118
May your Thanksgivingbe full of peace, love, and joy. We are thankful for you!
In Julia'sWords
Recovery is a journey, a path filled with highs and lows. It wasn't easy. There were moments when the road seemed insurmountable, and the weight of my past choices felt overwhelming. Yet, I persevered, driven by the desire for a better life and the hope of reunifying with my 8-year-old.
The road to recovery demanded self-reflection and the courage to confront my demons. There were times when I stumbled, faced setbacks, and questioned whether the journey was worth it. However, in those moments, I held onto the belief that every step forward was a victory, no matter how small. Through hard work, dedication, and the support of the remarkable Epiphany staff, I found strength within myself that I never knew existed. I secured employment, a milestone that not only provided financial stability but also a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Being a former sex worker, it feels especially amazing to have secured a job as a community ambassador, and to be able to give back. As the pieces of my life began to fall into place, I could feel the positive impact of my efforts. And then came the most significant reward of all – the prospect of reuniting with my 8-year-old. The thought of rebuilding a connection, sharing experiences, and being a source of love for my child fueled my determination. It became a beacon of hope, guiding me through the toughest moments. Recovery is a testament to the human spirit's resilience, the capacity for change, and the potential for a brighter future. To anyone facing their own challenges, I want to convey that it is okay to struggle, stumble, and doubt. What matters is the willingness to take that next step, no matter how daunting. I am grateful for the lessons I've learned at Epiphany Center. May my journey serve as a source of inspiration for those on their own paths to recovery.
