Read Ranch & Coast Virtually Anywhere
Issue link: http://ranchandcoast.uberflip.com/i/1539888
S et on a five-acre campus in El Cajon, St. Madeleine Sophie's Center has been serving individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities since its inception in 1966. ough it began as a resource for Catholic school-aged children, the center has served adults since 1972, when its founder, Sister Maxine (Mackie) Kraemer realized that while the public school system served younger children and their unique needs, adults had no resources available to them. "is is a reason Mackie started [St. Madeleine Sophie's Center] — because the state does not help or give education to these children after a high school age," says Angel Kleinbub, Sister Kraemer's sister. "ese parents had nowhere to go with these children." e transition took the school from being a place for Sister Kraemer to teach catechism to a destination where adults with these disabilities receive an education, learn independent living skills, gain vocational training, and learn about and engage in the arts. For the people who depend on the programs and services offered at St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, the possibility of the center becoming unable to provide this critical support is unfathomable — which is why, in 1992, the Kraemer Endowment Foundation was established in honor of Sister Kraemer. e sole endowment supporting St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, it is PHOTO BY BOB STEFANKO Built on a Legacy of Love Kraemer Endowment Foundation empowers St. Madeleine Sophie's Center to forge ahead — with deep ties to its past BY DEANNA MURPHY Focus philanthropy ranchandcoast.com 62 OCTOBER 2025 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE Eric Kleinbub and Angel Kleinbub