About Us

A Way of Life . . . A World of Difference^©

Life is meant to be lived.

We all need a place where we belong, where our talents and skills are nurtured and encouraged, where we can make friends, share our skills, and find that our lives have meaning and purpose. For more than 260 developmentally disabled adults, that place is St. Madeleine Sophie's Center.

For more than 40 years . . .

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center (SMSC) has helped people with developmental disabilities, their families and communities, discover, explore, and nurture potential-giving thousands a chance to live life to the fullest. The Center truly provides a "Life Program" that allows students to learn and grow, and enjoy friendships and social activities throughout their lives. Students come to SMSC's five-acre campus in the foothills of El Cajon, California, daily to learn or upgrade marketable skills, develop creative outlets, earn some money, make new friends, and gain a sense of independence and self esteem. This "Life Program" includes recent high-school graduates to seniors in their 70s.

Our History

Religious of the Society of the Sacred Heart

In 1966, the Religious of the Society of the Sacred Heart were progressive, really ahead of their time, when they developed a program for preschool-aged developmentally disabled children in El Cajon, California. It began with one classroom and eight students.  St. Madeleine Sophie's Center's first director was Sr. Mary Mardel, RSCJ, followed by Sr. Sally Rude, RSCJ. By word-of-mouth, the program grew and grew.  Maxine Kraemer, RSCJ, became director in August 1968.

We decided to start a preschool to prepare these children for public school. It started on nickels and dimes.  The parents came on Saturdays to help.   Then, we received our first gift of $25,000 to build the first small building. The building was completed in January 1966, and we celebrated the opening of St. Madeleine Sophie's Center on May 25, 1966-the Feast Day of St. Madeleine Sophie and the centenary of her death.

In 1975, a new federal law mandated that the public school system assume responsibility for training these young students. The new law also required changes in training for teachers of the developmentally disabled and changes in public school programs and facilities that, before this time, were not designed to meet the needs of the students. Integrating children with disabilities into public schools opened a whole new world as social interactions and broader training helped these students achieve higher skill levels.  It also created higher aspirations for their future and higher expectations of living full and productive adult lives. (Because there is no cure for developmental disabilities - which include Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy - the developmentally disabled require special supports through all stages of life - from infant to senior citizen.)

SMSC Transitions to Serving Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Recognizing that the needs of preschool-aged developmentally disabled children were going to be met by the public school system, SMSC determined in 1972 to change its focus and transition its services to meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.  Sr. Maxine Kraemer was instrumental in orchestrating this transition to services for adults and educating the community about the fact that SMSC was no longer a preschool. Once the focus changed, parents were thrilled to learn that SMSC was available to serve their adult children. 

Once SMSC's first 12 adult students were enrolled, Sr. Kraemer launched a four-pronged program that included:

• Education - continuing math, reading, and basic education programs
• Independent Living Skills
• Pre-vocational training
• Arts - dance, choral club, music appreciation, and visual arts

1980s - Present.

Over the years, SMSC has continually enhanced its programs and accepted greater numbers of students.  Expanded opportunities were offered that helped students live fuller lives, work at jobs they enjoyed (which also enabled them to earn needed income), and enjoy life's simple pleasures, such as watching a favorite movie, sharing a meal with friends, and reminiscing with family.  These activities helped the students follow their dreams.  For the developmentally disabled, sometimes what may appear to be the simplest of dreams are really great accomplishments; and sometimes the dreams are grand statements of how much this incredible community of people wants to give and how much they have to give from their hearts.  A recent survey provided this representative sampling of student dreams:

Into the Greater Community

SMSC has always been there to help its students work through the daily challenges of finding fulfillment and happiness; and to battle the obstacles put in their path by prejudice, discrimination, and society's misconceptions. SMSC is also a leader in reaching out to the greater community and helping to educate the public about the realities of developmental disabilities which know no social boundaries and touch everyone - rich and poor, urban and rural, and every race and nationality.

Because there is no cure for developmental disabilities - which include Down Syndrome, autism, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy - the developmentally disabled require special supports through all stages of life, from infant to senior citizen. At SMSC, quality is never sacrificed, and each student's individual needs are met. With a low student-to instructor ratio, SMSC has been very successful in attracting highly skilled employees. SMSC employs more than 90 staff members and is served by more than 150 dedicated volunteers.

One quick walk around campus tells any visitor that this is where smiles come easy . friendships flourish . and each person is their own incredible success story.

Public transportation is difficult to access, so SMSC has created its own modern fleet of paratransit buses that transport students between home, campus, and work sites, five days a week.

Activities, Development, Life Skills Training

All the exciting programs offered at St. Madeleine Sophie's Center are rooted in a strong foundation and stem from a common mission: ". . . To empower adults with developmental disabilities to discover, experience, and realizetheir full potential as members of the greater community."

"In some ways, it seems to be human nature to try to fit people into molds. The programs at SMSC allow people to break out of molds. It allows a freedom to be who you are. We all need that."
-- Mark Fisher, Program Manager

Here is just a brief view of some of the many programs offered . . .

Activity Center, Adult Development Center, and Supported Employment

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center programs provide top caliber work training and social experiences that encourage students to become well rounded, contributing members of the greater community. SMSC is highly regarded in the business community. We take pride in getting to know the businesses to whom we provide services and set high standards of quality.

Our programs receive the highest rating for services from the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Some of the areas of strength recognized are:

• Empowerment of students.
• Innovative ideas designed to focus on strengths and abilities of students and staff members.
• Excellent relations with community organizations.
• Creativity in designing services and programs.

SMSC has several contracts with local businesses that provide ongoing vocational training opportunities for students. SMSC provides the following services and contract work: janitorial services, grounds maintenance, landscape design and maintenance, food service, preparing bulk mailings, packaging, distributing flyers, painting curbs, and litter abatement.

Developing these partnerships represents an important investment in our students' futures and an important investment in our communities. By celebrating and focusing on people's abilities, not disabilities, this partnership between SMSC, the students, and the community enriches all our lives.

Senior Program

The Senior Program is designed to maintain physical, social, and life skills in a caring and safe environment, providing recreation and leisure-based activities for seniors 50 years and older.

Aquatics and Exercise

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center's Aquatics Program offers quality aquatics classes to SMSC students and to the general public. Children and adults of all ages and all ability levels can learn to swim or participate in aquatic fitness classes in our beautiful, outdoor, Junior Olympic-size, warm-water, therapy pool (86 degrees year-round). Certified and experienced aquatic teachers lead all of our classes. Swimming can be a fun individual or social experience for recreation as well as providing a broad spectrum of health benefits that promote cardiovascular and respiratory fitness, range of motion, coordination and balance, flexibility and fun!

The Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Exercise Program focuses on range of motion and low-intensity exercises designed specifically for individuals who have arthritis or experience pain. This class is open to SMSC students and the general public. In addition, our Learn to Swim program offers quality instruction with low teacher-to-student ratios. Private and small-group swim lessons are available for infants, children, and adults.

We also provide competitive swim training to those individuals who wish to compete in Special Olympics. The "Tritons" Special Olympics swim team travels to meets throughout the state and SMSC hosts several meets each year. Currently, the SMSC team is the largest in San Diego, with children and adult athletes ranging in age from 9 to 72.

Exercise and fitness classes are offered at SMSC throughout the year. Each class is tailored to the specific needs of our students, ranging from our popular "Sit and Be Fit" program to fitness classes specially designed for our senior population. Active students can enjoy the fun of classes such as aerobics and country-western dance.

"The Tritons Special Olympics Swim Team means so much to our students. It's their thing. It's their hobby. It's their sport. It's their club. They own it. It's their team. It's the most diverse team in San Diego."
--Kim Holt, Program Manager

Computer Training

The new generation of students knows technology and wants services to expand these skills. The Computer Lab is an innovative training site where students can earn certificates in such basic skills as numeric keypad, calculator, typing, data entry, Windows basics, word processing and spreadsheet basics.

Adaptive technology equipment is being introduced to enable visually impaired students access to large monitors and adaptive keyboards. Participants in our computer classes produce a monthly campus newsletter-Heart to Heart. Artists can work in the computer lab to create designs for T-shirts and canvas bags, which are sold at Sophie's Gallery and at arts and crafts fairs.

Culinary Arts Training

With its newly remodeled commercial kitchen and snack bar, SMSC's Culinary Training program offers Food Handler Safety and Kitchen Safety courses, qualifying students to prepare and serve daily meals. SMSC's goal is to teach skills that will help students find employment opportunities in the food service industry.

The on-campus snack bar is a popular place for both students and staff, offering delicious items prepared by students in the SMSC kitchen.

Music Therapy

Music is a communication tool that helps each student work on individual goals, cognitive and social skills, and interpersonal skills. At SMSC, a Board-certified music therapist works with the students one-on-one and in groups.

Organic Gardening Program

Harvest time in the SMSC gardens yields fruits and vegetables of vibrant colors-and so much more. The two-acre garden site includes a full citrus orchard, organic vegetable and flower gardens, two 1,500-square-foot facilities (a greenhouse and a propagation house), ornamental trees, shrubs, herbs, and a worm farm. The Garden Program cultivates more than strong, healthy plants, it is a vocational training ground where professional horticulture managers help students reap the benefits of developing physical and mental skills, social relationships, teamwork, self-esteem, and a sense of community and accomplishment.

The gardens and greenhouse are open to the public, offering fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, and a large selection of landscaping and houseplants for sale. Students cultivate and harvest an array of flowers, herbs, and produce sold on-site and at farmers' markets. One eagerly anticipated project in the Center's annual production of its private-label chili sauce, which the students affectionately named "Maddie's." They grow and harvest the chilis, tomatoes, and garlic used in the popular chili sauce, which is available for purchase.

 

"One of the things SMSC excels at is looking at the whole person. We have a wide range of educational opportunities for people; we are able to take into account many types of vocational goals and aspirations."
-- Merri Robison, Program Manager

Sophie's Gallery - Art Comes to Life

Sophie's Gallery-an off-campus working art studio and gallery located in historic downtown El Cajon, was designed as a partnership of artists, gallery, and community. As such, student art is exhibited in the community at local businesses, high schools, libraries, and events.

Students enjoy experimenting with a variety of themes and new media, such as quilting, ceramics, and working on SMSC's Litho printing press.

A number of paintings by Sophie's students have gained renown from critics and buyers worldwide for being spectacular examples of "outsider art"-that is, creative works by people who have had no formal art training.

Work from Sophie's Art Gallery has been featured on 60 Minutes, PBS, and Japanese television.

Speech Therapy and Sign Language

Developing communication skills is important. At SMSC a licensed speech/language pathologist assesses individual speech and language abilities and provides instruction and activities in small group settings. SMSC is proud to offer these distinct program components:

• Visi-Pitch II computer and specialized software for assign and treating speech and voice disorders.
• Speech Intelligibility focus for individuals who need help initiating conversations and improving language skills.
• Pragmatic Aspect focus on social skills and interaction in small groups.
• Sign Language to help individuals overcome hearing impairments or an inability to communicate verbally.

As SMSC celebrates its Ruby Jubilee anniversary, plans are underway to expand facilities and programs. We we have built a state-of-the-art facility with a new adaptive technology computer lab as well as specific classrooms for speech therapy, reading, and music therapy. Come see why SMSC is a leader in providing quality services and programs for developmentally disabled adults that nurture each individual's potential and develop the whole person with a chance to live life to the fullest.

Come Experience . . . A Way of Life. A World of Difference!©

"St. Madeleine Sophie's Center gives people the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. People here are fun. They are happy. Their spirits soar. There is a real sense here of everyone helping each other grow."
-- Debra Turner Emerson, MBA, Executive Director

For more information about St. Madeleine Sophie's Center email efoeckler@stmsc.org or call 619.442.5129 ext.3332.

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