In the heart of El Cajon, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center has started a groundbreaking project that is “Building Their Tomorrow” for its senior population. St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) began its journey in 1966 and, since then, has proven itself to be a place of empowerment and opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). On September 13th, 2024, SMSC officially broke ground on what will be the new Senior Center Building. Community leaders and project supporters gathered to break ground on the state-of-the-art building, marking a new beginning in SMSC’s commitment to enhancing the services and programs for its aging population.
This grand occasion represents more than just the start of construction; it is a new chapter in SMSC’s mission to nurture each student’s potential and to give their students the support to continue living life to the fullest, especially for seniors like Jane and Tom Dutcher.
For the past 15 years, the siblings have made a second home at SMSC. Tom works the janitorial crew on campus, and Jane enjoys bingo and creating at Sophie’s Gallery, the center’s off-site Art Program. When asking students what their goals were for this year Jane’s was simple, to move from the Activity Center Program to the Senior Program so she could share lunch every day with her brother. To those in the program, the Senior Center will be a place where they can spend their golden years surrounded by their community. Since her proclamation, Jane has moved to the Senior Program and regularly shares lunch with Tom.
The need for this new facility has been growing steadily. With over 18% of SMSC’s students enrolled in the Senior Program and numbers only rising, the current space is struggling to meet the growing needs of the population. The Senior Center Building is designed to address these challenges head-on, offering dedicated spaces for art, exercise, a computer lab, and a nurse’s office. Accessibility is also a key-focus, with ADA-compliant restrooms, easy transportation access, ramps, and handrails ensuring seniors of all mobility levels can navigate the space comfortably.
The community’s role in bringing this vision to life cannot be overstated. SMSC has launched a fundraising campaign with a generous matching offer by the McGrath Family Foundation, doubling donations for the Senior Center Building up to $250,000 received by December 15, 2024.
“These folks have earned a quiet place to call their own, away from all the hustle and bustle,” Laurie McGrath, of the McGrath Family Foundation shared with GB Magazine, a trusted voice in San Diego’s philanthropic community. “This new building is going to give them exactly that – a space where they can relax, engage in activities they love, and just be themselves. It is all about giving these amazing seniors the comfortable, tailored space they deserve”
For Jane and Tom, and the many seniors at SMSC, “Building Their Tomorrow” is not just a slogan; it is being built before their eyes. As construction continues, it cements the futures of the current SMSC seniors and those to come, ensuring their tomorrows are as bright and fulfilling as possible.
To support St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center and the Senior Center Building, visit www.stmsc.org/support-us. For information on naming opportunities or other ways to give, contact Joe Perucca at (619) 442-5129 ext. 332.
