East County Transitional Living Center

East County Transitional Living Center This is the official page of ECTLC. ECTLC is a faith-based 501(C)(3) with the vision to transform lives, restore relationships and heal communities.

We offer 4 distinct transitional living programs, religious and secular, designed to fit the needs of most homeless families and/or individuals. We offer case-managed, affordable temporary housing for those who have lost their way due to the economy, or no-cost one-year programs for those desiring a religious discipleship training program. Detailed descriptions of each program can be found on our website at www.ectlc.org.

06/02/2026

San Diego Air & Space Museum CEO Jim Kidrick did something that truly touched our hearts: he took time to learn about ECTLC’s mission and why partnerships like this matter.💙

In this short clip, he shares the first three reasons organizations like his choose to partner with ECTLC, including our “hand-up” approach to breaking the cycle of homelessness.

He outlined a full top ten, and we’ll be highlighting more of his reasons in the days ahead.

We’re deeply grateful for partners like San Diego Air & Space Museum who take time to understand our mission and invest in real, lasting transformation through housing, recovery, education, and workforce development.

Inspired by leaders like Jim Kidrick who believe in creating lasting change? Whether through a corporate partnership or a financial gift, you can help provide the education, job skills, housing, and recovery support that empower individuals to break the cycle of homelessness. Make a gift: https://ectlc.org/donate-today/

Hearts of compassion never cease to amaze us. So grateful for the community 🙏
06/01/2026

Hearts of compassion never cease to amaze us. So grateful for the community 🙏

05/29/2026

Congratulations are in order! 🎉

Today we’re proudly celebrating Dr. Julie Hayden’s 3-year anniversary as CEO of East County Transitional Living Center.

Over the past three years, Dr. Hayden’s visionary and compassionate leadership has helped ECTLC grow its impact locally, regionally, and nationally. Under her leadership, ECTLC has been honored with:

🏆 San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce East County Honors Award — Best Non-Profit (2023) and Best Social Services (2025)
🏅 San Diego County Taxpayers Association “Open and Honest” Award (2024 & 2025)
🏛️ White House recognition as a Subject Matter Expert on Addiction and Mental Health within Homelessness (2026)

This year, Dr. Hayden was also recognized personally for her outstanding community leadership with the 2025 Women in Leadership Award from the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. 🌟

With Dr. Hayden at the helm, ECTLC has fostered a network of partnerships with service providers, agencies, and elected officials to give men, women, and families experiencing homelessness a hand-up toward restoration, healing, and self-sufficiency.

And the results are life-changing.

In 2025 alone, because of our incredible supporters and community partners:
🏠 299 people permanently ended their homelessness through ECTLC programs
💼 Men and women are working again and rebuilding their futures
👨‍👩‍👧 Parents are creating safe, stable homes for their children
🔑 An incredible 96% of ECTLC graduates remain stably housed

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Hayden and thanking her for leading with joy, faith, compassion, and unwavering dedication to our community. 💙

05/28/2026

Let's celebrate our children!

Our Co-op space is a safe, joyful playroom where kids can simply be kids while their parents do the hard work of rebuilding their lives. It’s one of the ways ECTLC supports family restoration: caring for the whole family, creating stability, and making room for growth. 💛⛪️

Recently, our kids celebrated what they’ve been learning with certificates and speeches, and their words say it best: “One way we learn is through songs. We talk about different topics each month. We follow what our parents are learning too. And we have Bible studies and learn and talk about the Bible.”

Kids learn the softer skills of socialization, relationship-building and communication through ice cream socials, trivia games, and fun activities.

Here building character and community come together: “We do a lot of teamwork building. We share ideas, we encourage each other, and listen to each other.”

If you’ve ever wondered what restoration can look like day to day, this is it: consistency, care, life skills, and a community that shows up with love and grace. Learn more about ECTLC’s Family Restoration Program here: https://ectlc.org/famrestoration/

ART SHOWCASE + LIVE MUSIC 🎨 MAY 31Art for Impact — our event name says it all.Amazing local artists, photographers, and ...
05/27/2026

ART SHOWCASE + LIVE MUSIC 🎨 MAY 31

Art for Impact — our event name says it all.

Amazing local artists, photographers, and galleries are becoming a force for good.

Stunning donated works will be featured as part of our silent auction and event gallery on May 31, creating a meaningful afternoon where creativity directly supports lives being rebuilt through ECTLC.

Because of community support, men, women, and children experiencing homelessness will have the opportunity for a second chance and a brighter future.

✨ Featuring:
🖼️ Incredible local artwork
🎶 Live music throughout the afternoon
🤝 Community connection for a meaningful cause
🎁 Silent auction items and curated offerings from local businesses

🗓️ May 31 | 1–4PM
📍 La Mesa VFW
🎟️ Tickets are $50 (21+ event)

Join us this Sunday for an afternoon of art, live music, community, and curated offerings from incredible local artists and businesses.

Reserve your tickets today: artbenefitsd.com/tix

05/26/2026

ECTLC in the news. NBC 7 joined us at the Post-White House Action Forum and captured an important conversation about what it really takes to help people break free from homelessness. 📺

In this interview, Dr. Julie Hayden shares why a “treatment first” approach matters, prioritizing detox, mental health care, rehabilitation, and long-term community support so people can stabilize and rebuild with real outcomes.

You’ll also hear lived experience from Sarah and Jon Roberdes, who speak candidly about addiction, trauma, recovery, and the transformation that became possible when they had the right care and support around them.

Watch the full video and share it with someone who cares about real solutions in San Diego.

We’re incredibly thankful for partners like Saint Raphael Orthodox Church who remind us that faith isn’t just belief, it...
05/25/2026

We’re incredibly thankful for partners like Saint Raphael Orthodox Church who remind us that faith isn’t just belief, it’s something we live. ❤️🙏🏻

This week we were honored to receive a generous gift from the congregation of Saint Raphael Orthodox Church, presented by Father Boulos Khoury to ECTLC’s Lori Stone.

Their support has reached far beyond one moment. For years, they’ve stood with our neighbors in need through financial giving and through practical, dignity-restoring donations like clothing, toys, hygiene items, and other essentials.

At ECTLC, we see every day that the path out of homelessness is built through hope, stability, and community.

When people receive safe shelter, compassionate care, and the encouragement to keep going, lives truly change. Support like this helps our residents and families take meaningful steps toward lasting transformation.

To Saint Raphael Orthodox Church: thank you for your love, your generosity, and your commitment to serving “the least of these.” You are a blessing to many.

Stephanie came to ECTLC newly sober, with two boys on the autism spectrum, no job, and a past that made every next step ...
05/22/2026

Stephanie came to ECTLC newly sober, with two boys on the autism spectrum, no job, and a past that made every next step feel impossible. She was exhausted, scared, and carrying a kind of weight most people will never see.

ECTLC’s Family Restoration one-year program exists for families in moments like this.

It’s a faith-based, long-term pathway that helps parents rebuild stability through safe housing, structure, case management, recovery support, and the day-to-day guidance it takes to restore a home, a future, and hope.

At first, Stephanie didn’t even want to be here. Between probation requirements, long bus rides for court-ordered testing and therapy, and trying to meet her children’s needs without the support they deserved, she was drowning.

But she made a decision to give the program a real chance. And little by little, with people who showed up for her, prayed with her, and reminded her to place it all in God’s hands, her story began to change.

Today, Stephanie has three years of sobriety.

Her boys are in school for the second year and finally getting the care and therapy they need.

She has graduated from the program. She has a car. And for the first time in her life, she has been able to give her kids something she once thought they might never have: a home. 💛

This is what transformation looks like. This is what Family Restoration makes possible.

Learn more: https://ectlc.org/famrestoration/

🎨 There’s still time to get your tickets for Art for Impact — an unforgettable afternoon of art, music, and community be...
05/21/2026

🎨 There’s still time to get your tickets for Art for Impact — an unforgettable afternoon of art, music, and community benefiting ECTLC.

This is more than a fundraiser. It’s an experience.

🎶 Don’t miss:
• A special roots-rock acoustic set from Split Rail Fence Music Company
• A solo performance by Tim Edwards of Farm Truck
• A live appearance from El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and his band

🖼️ Browse the stunning art showcase and bid on amazing works of art generously donated by local artists, along with curated gift baskets and experiences contributed by community businesses.

Whether you're an art lover, music fan, or simply looking for a meaningful and fun afternoon, this is your chance to connect with community and make a lasting impact.

🗓️ May 31 | 1–4PM
📍 La Mesa VFW
🎟️ Tickets are $50 (21+ event)

Reserve your tickets today: artbenefitsd.com/tix

There’s a quiet moment that happens for many people when they first arrive at ECTLC. Before the next appointment, before...
05/20/2026

There’s a quiet moment that happens for many people when they first arrive at ECTLC. Before the next appointment, before the next class, before life starts to feel steady again, they step into our Clothing Closet.

And what they find there is more than clean clothing. They find a warm welcome. They find dignity. They find a safe, comforting space where they can choose what they need and be reminded: you matter. 👕🧡

This room is also part of restoration in another way. Managing the Clothing Closet is one piece of our job training program, where participants in our faith-based, one-year residential recovery program learn responsibility, build skills, and serve others with care.

And often, this Clothing Closet becomes a Prayer Closet too.

As people browse and conversation unfolds, God softens hearts. Our team listens, encourages, and sometimes has the sacred privilege of praying with someone. 🙏

“God has placed me here in donations to serve the families and singles. This room is not just a place to come get clothing but it's an opportunity for us to show God’s love when they come in. As you get to know them you are able to pray for them and encourage them with God’s word. When you come here to this room, you are no longer last but first. You are important to us and in God's eyes.” – Cicely, clothing closet worker

Because of your compassion and kindness, people experiencing homelessness are encountering God in the most unexpected places on ECTLC’s campus. 💛

Learn more about our Mission and Vision: https://ectlc.org/mission-and-vision/

Address

1527 E Main Street
El Cajon, CA
92021

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 6pm
Tuesday 7am - 6pm
Wednesday 7am - 6pm
Thursday 7am - 6pm
Friday 7am - 6pm
Saturday 7am - 6pm
Sunday 7am - 6pm

Telephone

+16194420457

Website

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