Baker Senior Center Naples names two to FGCU Fellowship Program

Baker Senior Center Naples, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive programs and social services to support local seniors, announced that is has named Rachel Castillo and Anabella Toledo to its Fellowship Program. The two Florida Gulf Coast University students will complete 250 hours in field placement with the anticipation of attracting professionals to the field of gerontology.

Baker Senior Center Naples started its fellowship program in 2022 and has worked with two to three social work students each year since. Several of them have been hired into full-time positions with the senior center. Fellows engage in many experiences, including geriatric case management, dementia respite, food pantry and emotional support.

“Our Fellowship Program strives to promote social work practice with older adults among Florida social work students, engaging students to develop social work skills, knowledge and values to enhance the wellbeing of older adults in our community,” said Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples. “This program is supported by our generous donors and is housed at our building here in North Naples.”

Studying for her Master of Science in Social Work at FGCU, Castillo has work experience, including serving as a Registered Behavior Technician with Stepping Stones Kids Therapy in Naples. She also interned at Valerie’s House in Fort Myers. She holds certification from the American Red Cross in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED.

Toledo also is studying for her Master of Social Work at FGCU. She has work experience as a Medical Social Worker for Lee Health – Health Park Care and Rehabilitation Center. Before that, she was a Foster Care Case Manager for Camelot Community Care. She also spent time as an intern with Collier County Public Schools, a nanny and a dance teacher.

The Baker Senior Center Naples Fellowship Program is funded by the Brookdale Foundation Group, which has worked to advance the fields of geriatrics and gerontology and to improve the lives of America’s senior citizens for nearly 70 years. The goal of the Fellowship is to emphasize the importance of social work with older adults and the opportunities that are available for students who focus on gerontological social work.

Baker Senior Center Naples is the only human services agency of its kind, providing “one-stop shop” services addressing the emotional and social needs of seniors in Collier and southern Lee counties. Since opening its doors in 2014, the organization has seen a surge in the depth and scope of need for comprehensive senior services in this region.

All programs and services are provided by licensed and credentialed professionals. These include Structured Dementia Respite Support; Geriatric Case Management and Senior Outreach Programs; and Geriatric Mental Health Counseling as well as a Food Pantry.

An average of 40 different social, educational and wellness programs also are offered each week thanks to a dedicated corps of more than 200 trained and vetted volunteers. Among these social programs are classes in art, music and film; brain fitness and educational seminars; courses in technology and computer science; physical well-being; and interest groups. The center serves everyone regardless of backgrounds and beliefs.

Baker Senior Center Naples is one of just 111 senior centers all across the United States, including just eight located within the state of Florida, to achieve accreditation from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC). Accreditation means that the senior center meets the standards as developed by NISC in developing quality programs and services to meet the needs of seniors in the community.

For additional information on Baker Senior Center Naples and its comprehensive programs and social services for local seniors, visit www.BakerSeniorCenterNaples.org.