About ECS Advocacy

At ECS we speak truth to power – advocating on behalf of those whom we serve. In partnership with our programs and our participants, we engage with legislators and other stakeholders on the state and local level to push for structural changes. The department is outward-facing, fostering partnerships with community organizations and the parishes of the Diocese of Pennsylvania to tackle the root causes of poverty and racism. Advocacy’s strength is in numbers, so join our movement today!

Victoria R. Bennett, MHS
Chief Inclusion & Advocacy Officer
Overall Leadership of the Department

Victoria joined ECS in 1992 and has served in many capacities throughout the agency, most notably as the senior director of St. Barnabas Mission. At St. Barnabas, Victoria turned the emergency housing facility for female-headed families experiencing homelessness into one of the most respected service providers in the Philadelphia Homeless Services system. Victoria is a graduate of Lincoln University, where she earned her Masters in Human Services. Victoria was named ECS’ first ever Chief Inclusion and Advocacy Officer in 2016 and has since built the department from the ground up. Currently, Victoria oversees the overall leadership and vision of the department. Victoria is active in numerous civic and cultural organizations in the Philadelphia area and serves on the Board of the Black Writers’ Museum.

Caroline Dunleavy, MA, MAR
Senior Director of Advocacy

Advocacy Strategy, Federal & Pennsylvania Policy Issues

Caroline has been with ECS for over fifteen years, serving in positions of increasingly greater responsibility. In her current role as Director of Advocacy, Caroline oversees ECS’ advocacy strategy and analyzes federal and Pennsylvania-specific policy issues. She is a graduate of Muhlenberg College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and German and Lehigh University where she earned a Master of Arts in Government. Caroline later earned a Master of Arts in Religion from United Lutheran Seminary (formerly The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia). An active member of the United Church of Christ, she is an accomplished pianist and organist who serves as a music minister for a local congregation. She has a passion for stained glass windows, conducting research throughout the region, and serves as a member of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Kyle Evans
Chaplain

Inclusion, Racial Equity Policy Issues, Judicial Activity, Parish Advocacy

Kyle Evans is one of the newest members of the Episcopal Community Services staff. Kyle will serve as Chaplain, supporting the ECS mission and vision in four primary ways. Kyle will offer pastoral care to all staff and those who ECS serves. Kyle will also work with the advocacy team, raising awareness about the political factors, systems and agencies that support or undermine the rights of marginalized communities. Additionally, Kyle will help to coordinate volunteers. Finally, Kyle will partner with Ken Anderson in visiting the churches of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania to share the story of ECS, with the expectation of fostering deeper relationships with the parishes, including financial commitment and volunteerism.

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Kyle has spent a significant part of her adult life in the Philadelphia area. Based in Bucks County, Kyle and her family have been members of Trinity Episcopal Church of Solebury for almost 30 years. Kyle has a long history of work with youth and young adults, always with a focus on service and partnership in communities of the underserved. This has particularly been the case in the West and North Philadelphia corridor. Kyle has also been committed to similar efforts in Kenya and, as a Missioner, in the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.

Kyle received a BA from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA and was awarded a certificate in youth ministry from Princeton Seminary. Kyle has just completed her first year of formation to become a vocational deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Kyle is married, with 3 grown sons and 2 granddaughters.