St. Madeleine Sophie's Center Unveils New Vineyard

SAN DIEGO, CA, March 12, 2014 (Press-News.org) St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, the East County vocational day program for more than 400 adults with developmental disabilities, has announced the grand opening of Sophie's Vineyard. As part of its expanding garden, the Center will install 290 vines in a unique double row design with the purpose of providing students with an education on grape agriculture, selling table grapes at local farmers markets, and the opportunity to partner with local wineries and wine makers.

A planting party, where guests will have the opportunity to view the vineyard and support the organization by purchasing and planting vines, is scheduled for April 5, 2014 from 9am to 1pm. Attendees can purchase a vine for $20 or six (6) vines for $100. Proceeds will benefit over 400 adults with developmental disabilities.

"Students at our Center have various levels of abilities, and the tasks Sophie's Vineyard offers will be equally diverse," said Debra Emerson, Chief Executive Officer for St. Madeleine Sophie's Center. "We break down the tasks in order for them to match each students' set of skills."

The official unveiling of Sophie's Vineyard will take place at a dedication ceremony at the 16th Annual Morning Glory Brunch on April 12 from 10am to 2pm at St. Madeleine's campus at 2119 E. Madison Avenue in El Cajon. The staple event is expected to attract as many as 600 guests for a garden-style brunch and activities placed throughout the 2-acre organic garden and aquatics center.

For more information about Sophie's Vineyard and this year's 16th Annual Morning Glory Brunch, please contact Neil Fullerton at (619) 442-5126 ext. 115 or nfullerton@stmsc.org.

About St. Madeleine Sophie's Center:
St. Madeleine Sophie's Center serves 400+ adults with developmental disabilities, through nationally recognized, innovative programs. Its mission is to educate and empower individuals with developmental disabilities to realize their full potential. Developmental disabilities include autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other cognitive disorders for which there are no cures. St. Madeleine's combines its culture of care and creativity within quality programs to provide liberal arts education, practical skills development, employment and dignity for a lifetime. Programs are offered on a staff-to-student ratio of 1:3 to 1:6, depending upon the level of each student's disability. These programs include: Activity Center; Adult Development Center; Seniors (for adults age 50+); Behavior Modification; Supported Employment; and Work Activity Program.

Sites: St. Madeleine's has three sites: its main campus on the outskirts of El Cajon; Sophie's Gallery and Gift Shop in Downtown El Cajon; and a satellite gallery, Sophie's Kensington Gallery, a collaborative gallery with Kensington Gallery, a venture of the Autism Research Institute.