In the 21 years that Shauna has been attending St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC), I have seen such growth in my daughter! She is enthusiastic about her jobs… and is learning life skills daily. She has a place where she can interact and fit in with her peers. Shauna looks forward to going to SMSC each and every day. We are very blessed and grateful that she is part of this wonderful program.
Barbie Bates, Proud Mother of Shauna Davis
On or off campus, bright and bubbly Shauna Davis gives those high-energy ‘that girl’ vibes wherever she goes. This vibrant student has been attending St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in El Cajon for over two decades, growing and thriving from all that SMSC has to offer. Its mission is to educate and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their full potential. Whether it is participating in their many programs on campus, or working and volunteering in the community, Shauna’s pro-active attitude toward learning has been giving back a lifetime of love, fun, friends, and reaching her own full potential.
Currently enrolled in the Activity Center (AC) Program, Shauna’s interests and energy are in full motion! The ultimate ‘that girl’ gets totally immersed in everything she undertakes! Her mother, Barbie, describes AC as ‘an active, individualized and productive day program’ for her daughter and her peers. Shauna has also participated in the Organic Garden Program, the state-of-the-art Aquatics Program, the Food Handlers Program and working in the cafeteria, the high-tech Computer Lab, Music Therapy and the Art Gallery.
“Through the years, since 1966, St. Madeleine’s has grown in size along with all the wonderful life programs and exemplary professional staff that it offers,” shared Bates. “It is important to note that next year is the Center’s 60th Anniversary… and the number of students they have impacted is truly beyond measure!”
As part of Shauna’s schedule in the AC Program, she works four days a week off campus at Children’s Nature Retreat, Lions, Tigers and Bears, Meals on Wheels and XO Ranch. She also loves doing her volunteer work in the community, including ringing the bells for the Salvation Army during the holiday season. Shauna shows her natural talent consistently, having won a first-place gold medal for swimming in the Special Olympics Summer Games, modeling in the SMSC Haute with Heart fashion show, and proudly having her jewelry on display at the prestigious Mingei Museum.
According to Debra Emerson, SMSC’s Chief Executive Officer, donations from the community and families are a critical part of the support and survival for St. Madeleine’s Sophie’s Center San Diego, and the over 400 adult students currently enrolled there. Donations of any size are appreciated and will help the non-profit SMSC continue to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities ‘for life.’ Feel free to visit www.stmsc.org to donate or learn more.
