Baker Senior Center Naples Honors Fifth Annual Volunteer of the Year

Baker Senior Center Naples, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive programs and social services for seniors in Collier and southern Lee counties, recently recognized Carol Clarke as its fifth annual Volunteer of the Year.

The award was presented during Baker Senior Center Naples’ 12th Annual “Evening for Better Tomorrows” fundraising event on January 13th at a private country club in Naples.

Clarke has volunteered with Baker Senior Center Naples since 2017, logging an amazing 1,500 hours of service. In fact, she currently ranks second on the organization’s “Lifetime Hours Donated” list and shows no signs of slowing down. Clarke volunteers three days a week in the Dementia Respite groups and as a substitute for the Brain Joggers program. During the pandemic, she delivered meals to seniors and scheduled Covid vaccines.

Prior to moving to Southwest Florida, Clarke had a career as a corporate attorney. She finds her experience at Baker Senior Center Naples more rewarding than any previous volunteer work in the homeless shelters, her synagogue or children’s schools in Chicago.

“We are thrilled to honor Carol for her significant contributions to our Cognitive Health program,” said Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples. “For her, though, the true rewards are the smiles of the participants and the knowledge that their caregivers are getting a much-deserved break. Those rewards are invaluable.”

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 Cognitive Health Services, including Dementia Respite Groups and Caregiver Support; Geriatric Case Management and Senior Outreach Programs; and Mental Health Counseling as well as 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.

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