East County Transitional Living Center

What East County Transitional Living Center does

East County Transitional Living Center (ECTLC) is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit founded in 2009 in El Cajon, California, by Harold Brown — himself a former homeless addict — after he and a team from Hamann Companies converted the dilapidated Fabulous 7 Motel into a shelter. The organization is the first and only dedicated homeless shelter in East County San Diego and currently operates a multi-building campus at 1527 East Main St. including two privately funded 3,000 sq ft dormitories (opened 2021) that together serve over 1,000 families annually, including 180-250 children.

ECTLC delivers a continuum of seven core programs — Emergency Housing (up to 28 days of no-cost shelter), the 1-Year Program Ministry (a four-phase, 12-month residential program for single men and women), Family Restoration (a one-year Christ-centered program with parenting, financial literacy, and ACE curriculum), Employment Training (delivered through 15+ business partners including Delaware North, Goodwill of San Diego, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and Indian Hills Camp), Youth Services, Education Opportunities (on-site GED plus vocational training including Ground School aviation), and Vegetation Management (a social enterprise providing California PRC 4291 brush/weed abatement at below-market rates). The Rhombus Model, a proprietary framework developed by Ray and Julie Hayden that integrates counseling, medicine, employment, and faith into a unified recovery system, structures program delivery and was incorporated into a federal Best Practices Toolkit by the White House ONDCP, HHS/SAMHSA, and HUD/CPD in 2026.

ECTLC has no paying customers; all participant services are free of charge. Revenue is a diversified mix of individual and corporate donations (including stock gifts via Fidelity Investments), in-kind contributions, a vegetation management social enterprise, HUD federal grants, and private foundation grants (Kasperick Foundation, 2025). Fundraising is driven by recurring events (Recovery Happens, Taste of TLC, Gala/Silent Auction, Barrett Lake Bass Fishing fundraiser, Art Benefit SD) and a 20+ partner ecosystem of churches, corporates, and nonprofits. The organization reports strong outcome metrics — 96% of graduates stably housed and 80% addiction-free — at a per-person outcome cost of $790 in 2024, positioning ECTLC as a high-efficiency operator in regional human services. Leadership transitioned from founder Harold Brown (d. January 2022) to Dr. Julie Hayden, PsyD, who currently serves as CEO.

Name

East County Transitional Living Center

Legal name

East County Transitional Living Center

Website

https://ectlc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

East County Transitional Living Center (ECTLC) is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit in El Cajon, California, providing no-cost emergency housing, addiction recovery, employment training, and family restoration services to homeless individuals and families in East County San Diego.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Transitional Housing and Homeless Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Resident Support Services (RA Training Support, On-Call Coordination, Crisis Response Liaison) (EDAEAFAM)

Keywords

• Transitional housing services
• Faith-based recovery programs
• Homeless shelter support
• Addiction recovery programs
• Employment training services

Headquarters

HQ city

El Cajon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual and corporate donations from supporters, churches, and community members. The organization runs annual fundraisers including the Gala/Silent Auction/Dinner, Recovery Happens fundraiser, and Taste of TLC event. Stock donations are also accepted through Fidelity Investments.
2. In-Kind Donations: Donations of goods including hygiene products, work boots, clothing, towels, and linens that support program operations.
3. Vegetation Management Services: Brush clearing, tree trimming, weed abatement, and landscaping services provided by program participants at reduced costs to property owners. This creates job training revenue while providing low-cost services.
4. HUD and Government Grants: Federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing and supportive services programs. Participation in HUD-funded programs is voluntary for religious activities.
5. Private Foundation Grants: Grants from private foundations such as the Kasperick Foundation to support specific programs and initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

East County Transitional Living Center (ECTLC) is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides no-cost transitional and emergency housing, long-term residential recovery programs, family restoration services, employment training, youth services, and education opportunities to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in San Diego's East County. Services are funded through donations, grants, and a social-enterprise vegetation management program, and are guided by The Rhombus Model integrating counseling, medicine, employment, and faith.

Product overview

ECTLC operates as a multi-program social services organization providing a continuum of care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The core offerings include Emergency Housing (short-term shelter up to 28 days), the 1 Year Program Ministry (faith-based residential program), Family Restoration (family-focused recovery), Employment Training (vocational development), Youth Services, Education Opportunities (GED/vocational), and Vegetation Management (social enterprise job training). The organization is NOT a technology product company; it is a non-profit service provider. The programs work together as a wrap-around support system where emergency housing serves as the entry point, with participants encouraged to transition into the longer-term 1 Year Program Ministry or Family Restoration for deeper transformation. Vegetation Management provides job training while generating revenue for the organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Housing Provides safe, stable shelter for qualified families for up to 28 days as a first step toward independent living, including routine meals, clothing, and professional counseling. Service is provided at no cost to participants.
• 1 Year Program Ministry A no-cost, four-phase (12-month) faith-based residential program for single men and women. Teaches biblical principles, life skills, job training, and spiritual growth. Phase 1 (3 months) is off-campus; Phases 2-4 (9 months) are on campus.
• Family Restoration Program A one-year, Christ-centered program for families including case management, ACE Overcomers curriculum, parenting classes, financial literacy, employment guidance, and housing solutions to break generational cycles of homelessness.
• Employment Training Job readiness training and vocational skills development through partnerships with local businesses. Participants gain experience in concession operations, valet parking, construction labor, event catering, retail operations, and aviation ground school.
• Youth Services Programs for children experiencing homelessness including mentorship, youth groups, arts and crafts, House of Music classes, sports programs, and partnerships with Home Court Advantage for basketball and character development.
• Education Opportunities On-site GED preparation with certified teachers, continuing education, vocational training, and partnerships including San Diego Air & Space Museum Ground School for aspiring pilots. Free for one-year program participants.
• Vegetation Management Services Brush clearing, tree trimming, weed abatement, and chipping services provided by program participants. Offers California PRC 4291 compliance assistance to property owners at below-market rates, while providing job training.
• Donation Program Accepts financial donations, stock gifts through Fidelity Investments, and in-kind donations of hygiene products, work boots, clothing, and linens. Provides charitable tax deductions as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of graduates remain stably housed (November 2024 - October 2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Contractors and Construction WorkerscoreOthers · 14 October 2021Hundreds of builders, craftsmen, and workers donated time, talent, and materials to construct two new 3000 sq. ft. dormitory buildings for men and women at ECTLC, entirely privately funded.
• Delaware North CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner providing employment training opportunities for ECTLC residents. Participants operate concession stands for professional sporting events, gaining valuable hospitality and food service experience.
• San Diego Air & Space MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment training partner and Ground School partner for aspiring pilots. Provides job training opportunities and vocational education through a new partnership with the Ground School program.
• Goodwill Industries of San DiegocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployment training partner providing job readiness and placement services for ECTLC participants. Helps connect graduates with employment opportunities.
• Indian Hills CampsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner providing employment training opportunities for program participants at their camp facility.
• MI-BOX Moving & StoragesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner for employment training, providing hands-on experience in moving and storage operations.
• Rough Acres RanchsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment training partner providing work experience opportunities at their ranch facility.
• A-1 Self StoragesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner for employment training in the self-storage industry.
• KTM Coating TechnologiessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner providing employment training in coating technologies.
• Pro Light HangerssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner for employment training in manufacturing and product assembly.
• San Diego Jumper CompanysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner for event services employment training.
• TZ Electric, Inc.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner providing electrical trade training opportunities for program participants.
• Downtown El Cajon Business PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollective of downtown businesses providing employment training, community enhancement projects, and job placement for ECTLC participants.
• Hamann Property ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarold Brown was instrumental in the purchase and renovation of the Fabulous 7 Motel property. Major supporter and property partner enabling ECTLC's formation and operations.
• Local ChurchescoreOthersChurch partners provide volunteers, donations, and support for ECTLC programs. Many staff members are church-affiliated volunteers who became program graduates and employees.
• Home Court AdvantagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth basketball program partner dedicated to building character development of children impacted by homelessness. Partnership began in 2020.
• Sonrise ChurchcoreOthersPastor Mike Emery opened the church doors for ECTLC's 2022 Gala fundraiser. Church staff and culinary team provided support for the event.
• CYMO FoundationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides annual donations of beanies, blankets, and backpacks to ECTLC families. Parents who lost children to drugs share anti-drug messages and hope. Supporting ECTLC for over a decade.
• Santee/Lakeside RotarysecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual 'Give A Sheet' toilet paper drive benefiting ECTLC participants.
• CRT Plasma CentersecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for fundraising through plasma donations. Plasma donors can direct funds to ECTLC. Joint BBQ and tour events held at the plasma center location.
• Office of National Drug Control PolicyminorOthersHosted Dr. Julie Hayden at White House Summit on addiction treatment within homelessness. ECTLC's Rhombus Model included in federal Best Practices Toolkit.
• San Diego Air & Space Museum Ground SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational partnership offering aspiring pilots the opportunity to pursue flight training through ground school education at ECTLC.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Diego: Faith-based social services organization offering shelter, case management, and recovery support in San Diego County with overlapping service categories to ECTLC's programs.
• Goodwill Industries of San Diego: Established nonprofit already partnering with ECTLC for employment training; operates its own workforce development and supportive programs for disadvantaged populations in the same geography.
• Salvation Army San Diego: National faith-based nonprofit operating shelter, recovery, and social services with a local San Diego presence; broader portfolio but directly overlapping services and target population.

Direct peers

• Union Rescue Mission: Faith-based, nonprofit transitional living and recovery program in Los Angeles serving homeless men, women, and children; highly comparable faith-based methodology and continuum-of-care structure.
• Father Joe's Villages: San Diego's largest homeless services provider offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and recovery programs; directly comparable mission, geography, and target population.
• San Diego Rescue Mission: Faith-based, nonprofit emergency and recovery services for homeless individuals in San Diego County; explicit cultural and geographic overlap with ECTLC, and the prior employer of ECTLC's founder Harold Brown.
• St. Vincent de Paul Village: San Diego-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and recovery services for homeless individuals and families; directly comparable service model and target population.
• Alpha Project for the Homeless: San Diego nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and workforce development for individuals experiencing homelessness; matches ECTLC's wraparound model and regional footprint.
• PATH (People Assisting the Homeless): California-wide nonprofit operating interim housing and rapid rehousing programs with employment and supportive services; closely aligned with ECTLC's housing-plus-services model.

Others

• HomeAid San Diego: Nonprofit developer of housing for homeless service providers and supporter of shelter capital projects; connected to ECTLC through the same regional ecosystem of housing and shelter organizations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eastcountytlc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ectlc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/east-county-transitional-living-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about East County Transitional Living Center