St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center

What St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center does

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center (SMSC) is a non-profit organization headquartered at 2119 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon, California, that delivers programs and services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Founded in 1966 by the Religious of the Society of the Sacred Heart (and transitioned to adult services in 1972), the organization operates from a single campus with a 30+ vehicle paratransit fleet, a two-acre organic garden, and an aquatics facility. Its service architecture consists of five core programs — Activity Center, Adult Development Center, Behavior Modification (1:3 consumer-to-staff ratio), Senior Program, and Self Determination — complemented by seven specializations: Adaptive Computer Training, Aquatics Program, Culinary Arts Training, Employment Services, Linguistics, Organic Garden, and Sophie's Gallery.

The technology footprint is built around physical infrastructure and adaptive equipment rather than software platforms; Sophie's Gallery operates a separate retail showroom at 140 East Main Street, El Cajon, monetizing student-produced art, and Sophie's Gazette is a monthly student-produced print/digital newsletter. Adaptive computer training uses configurable assistive devices to accommodate individual student needs, and linguistics services are delivered by a licensed speech/language pathologist. SMSC holds the highest CARF (Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation rating.

The business model is a donation- and grant-funded non-profit structure. SMSC does not charge clients for services; operating capital comes from donations, signature fundraising events (Haute with Heart Fashion Show, California Dreamin', Spookeasy, Tea by the Sea, recurring art exhibitions), Sophie's Gallery retail sales, and a coordination relationship with the San Diego Regional Center for service delivery. The Kraemer Endowment Foundation (KEF), established in 1992 as a separate supporting entity, holds $16,000,000 in assets and contributes an estimated $800,000 annually in unrestricted aid, providing a structural financial cushion. SMSC employs 110+ paid staff and 150+ volunteers and is led by CEO Debra Emerson, MBA.

Name

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center

Legal name

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center

Website

https://stmsc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center is a non-profit organization in El Cajon, California that delivers education, life-skills, employment, and arts programs to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across five core programs and seven specializations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Adult education programs
• Vocational training services
• Community rehabilitation programs
• Adaptive learning services

Headquarters

HQ city

El Cajon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies heavily on donations and fundraising events to support operations and programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
2. Kraemer Endowment Foundation: Endowment established in 1992 providing monthly unrestricted aid to SMSC. Endowment has grown from $200,000 in 1993 to $16,000,000, with estimated annual contribution of $800,000. Total support provided since founding: $8,000,000.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center is a non-profit organization that delivers a comprehensive suite of educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Core programs include the Activity Center, Adult Development Center, Behavior Modification, Senior Program, and Self Determination, complemented by specializations such as Adaptive Computer Training, Aquatics, Culinary Arts, Employment Services, Linguistics, Organic Garden, and Sophie's Gallery. Services are provided free of charge to clients and supported by donations, fundraising events, and endowment income.

Product overview

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center (SMSC) is a non-profit organization that provides a comprehensive suite of programs and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization operates a multi-program architecture consisting of five core programs (Activity Center, Adult Development Center, Behavior Modification, Senior Program, and Self Determination) complemented by seven specializations (Adaptive Computer Training, Aquatics Program, Culinary Arts Training, Employment Services, Linguistics, Organic Garden, and Sophie's Gallery). These programs work together to provide education, skills development, employment support, and community integration services, enabling individuals with disabilities to achieve personal and professional fulfillment. The organization also publishes Sophie’s Gazette, a monthly student-produced newsletter, and operates fundraising events including the annual Haute with Heart Fashion Show and California Dreamin' art shows.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kraemer Endowment Foundation: Endowment foundation established in 1992 to ensure the financial future of St. Madeleine Sophie's Center by safeguarding assets through careful investments.
• Sophie's Gallery

Products and services

• Activity Center Program focused on developing and maintaining functional skills required for self-advocacy, community integration, and employment for adults with developmental disabilities.
• Adult Development Center Program offering a variety of opportunities aimed at increasing independence and improving overall quality of life for adults served.
• Behavior Modification

Quantifiable outcome

• CARF accreditation - highest rating for services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bread & Cie Gallery and CaféminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Arts & Business Partnership of the Year award in 2005. Collaborative relationship supporting Sophie's Gallery and community art initiatives.
• San Diego Regional CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional center coordination for service delivery to adults with developmental disabilities. SMSC offers Self Determination program allowing enrollment outside regional center management for those who prefer it.
• Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)coreOthersCARF provides accreditation for rehabilitation facilities. SMSC programs receive the highest rating from CARF, demonstrating quality standards in service delivery.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD); operates a federated model of state/local chapters that deliver education, employment, and community programs—directly analogous to SMSC's adult day-services focus.
• Easterseals: National federation of disability and rehabilitation nonprofits serving people with disabilities across age groups; comparable in mission (disability services + vocational support), broader in scale and geography.
• Special Olympics: International nonprofit providing sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities; overlaps SMSC's Aquatics and recreation mission and brand visibility with the IDD community.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National nonprofit network providing services for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, including education, employment, and independence supports—comparable mission and adult-services portfolio.

Direct peers

• Best Buddies International: Nonprofit delivering one-to-one friendship, employment, and leadership programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; highly comparable in employment-services focus on IDD adults.
• Inclusion Services: Nonprofit providing vocational training, employment placement, and community-integration services for adults with developmental disabilities; aligned mission around empowerment, employment, and self-determination—SMSC's core programs.
• Life Services Alternatives: California-based nonprofit providing supported living, day programs, and employment services for adults with developmental disabilities; comparable in its nonprofit, CA-anchored delivery model.
• AbilityFirst: Southern California-based nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities through vocational training, residential, and recreation programs—a close same-region comparable for SMSC's adult day-program model.
• Tierra del Sol Foundation: Southern California nonprofit providing day programs, employment services, and creative arts for adults with developmental disabilities; comparable mission, geographic footprint, and arts/gallery programming via the STAR Arts program.
• Home of Guiding Hands: El Cajon, California-based nonprofit serving children and adults with developmental disabilities via day programs, residential services, and employment supports; near-identical geography and direct service overlap with SMSC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/stmadeleinesophiescenter/?hl=en
• Xx.com/SMSophiesCenter

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center