Giving Back Magazine July 2019 | Page 14

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SATURDAY AUGUST 10, 2019
10am-2pm Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Indigo Ballroom
1 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
HAUTEWITHHEART.ORG
Susan Hayward © John Agostini 2015
Alyssa Virissimo enrolled at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center at
age 22. Now 29, Alyssa comes home to her family every day
feeling happy and thriving from her swimming classes,
community job, quality programs and many friends. The
Virissimo family is thrilled that ‘life after 22’ has turned out so
well, but their outlook wasn’t always so positive. In fact, to
Alyssa’s mom, Angela, the thought of her daughter turning 22
absolutely petrified her!
“As a mom, I sat in my car and cried
when I first saw some of the resources
offered to my daughter as an adult –
after she ‘aged out’ from high school
programs at 22. Finding St. Madeleine
Sophie’s Center was a game changer!
I no longer needed to worry about her
security, happiness or ‘aging out’ from
anything! My life’s dream of a full life
for my daughter came true. This was a
big day for our family!”
— Angela Virissimo, Alyssa’s mother
For over 400 students and their families St. Madeleine
Sophie’s Center’s day program is a unique opportunity where
adults with developmental disabilities can come to explore
their talents and continue to grow for a lifetime.
For over 50 years the Center has provided this “Life
Program” that allows students to learn and grow, receive
work training, enjoy friendships and social activities through-
14 GBSAN.COM | JULY 2019
out their lives. Students come to SMSC’s almost seven-acre
campus in El Cajon, California daily to learn or upgrade
marketable skills, develop creative outlets, earn an income,
make new friends, and gain a sense of independence and
self-esteem. This “Life Program” includes recent high-school
graduates to seniors in their eighties.
It takes a vast amount of resources to be able to provide the
full spectrum of programs and possibilities. Through annual
events St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center hopes to not only raise
funds to continue to provide these opportunities but to also
expand their community of supporters, build resources for
their future, and continue to raise awareness for adults with
developmental disabilities.
It is with all of these goals in
mind that they host their 42nd
Haute with Heart Fashion
Show & Luncheon:
Dreaming of Style. This event
Lorem ipsum
will be held at the Hilton San
Diego Bayfront (Downtown)
on Saturday, August 10, and
produced by Leonard
Simpson – Fashion Forward ® .
The event will feature SMSC
students and professional
models dressed in the latest
fashions along with boutique shopping, live and silent auctions,
and opportunity drawings.