Baker Senior Center Naples Celebrates a Decade of Dedicated Service to Local Seniors

Baker Senior Center Naples, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive programs and social services for seniors and their families, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month, reflecting on a decade in which it has grown from an agency offering a handful of social activities to less than 100 members into a provider of wide-ranging social services and the leading advocate for older adults in our community.

Originally founded as Naples Senior Center, Baker Senior Center Naples opened its doors on January 22, 2014 as the first senior center in Collier County. Located in a small rented space on Castello Drive, the senior center initially offered social programs and activities to just 80 local seniors with the mission of combatting isolation and loneliness.

Today, 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 all adults over age 60. The senior center has over 2,600 members and operates from a 30,000-square-foot building that opened in January 2023 at 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane.

“When we first started, no one could have imagined the surge in the depth and scope of need for comprehensive senior services in this region. At the same time, there was little assistance available for older adults,” said Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples. “We are thrilled to commemorate this milestone and look forward to further providing confidence, connection and support to all seniors in our community.”

All Baker Senior Center Naples programs and services are provided by licensed and credentialed professionals. These include Cognitive Health Services, including Dementia Respite Groups and Caregiver Support; Geriatric Case Management and Senior Outreach Programs; and Mental Health Counseling. There also is a “choice” 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.

In recent years, Baker Senior Center Naples has remained at the public forefront as a champion for local seniors. During the global pandemic, for example, the organization partnered with the Florida Department of Health in helping more than 7,500 seniors get vaccinated against Covid-19. Many of these seniors lacked the technology needed to book an appointment with the state and had trouble obtaining the life-saving vaccine.

Once it became known that Baker Senior Center Naples was securing appointments for seniors, gated communities, civic groups and hospitals began referring seniors, and when the number of incoming calls exceeded capacity, the center added phone lines so staff and volunteers could help every older adult in the community who wanted it. The center also contracted with a home health care company to provide transportation when needed.

More recently, Baker Senior Center Naples partnered with the Collier Community Foundation to help seniors in the recovery process after the devastation of Hurricane Ian.

Older adults were especially hit hard by the September 2022 hurricane with limited financial resources or family members to assist them. Senior center staff and leadership worked with local seniors and connected them with the community resources they needed to rebuild their lives, particularly those living in low-income areas of Collier County.

In November 2023, Baker Senior Center Naples was honored with the 2023 Harvey Kapnick Award recognizing exceptional community dedication and philanthropic service. The award is bestowed annually by the Collier Community Foundation to local non-profits “that have distinguished themselves by exemplifying program excellence.”

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