New center accommodates more member and programs

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer President/ CEO

Life has been exciting at Baker Senior Center Naples (BSCN). On Friday, Feb. 24, we held an open house to welcome donors and friends to 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane. More than 200 guests celebrated our new 30,000-square-foot building and all that takes place inside (and outside!).

In the first six weeks at our new address, we welcomed 525 new members, the majority of whom walked in to see what we are all about, then joined.

Open House Feb. 24, 2023

The new space enables us to increase programming, both in scale and in scope.

The tai chi, yoga and fitness classes are very popular, as are the art classes. Our bright and sunny art room has classes in pastels and watercolors and is the site for our very well attended needlework program. And our Wednesday “Lunch and More” hot lunch program is now welcoming an average of 260 members.

Watercolor class in progress

On Feb. 23, we had our first Café Europa luncheon, where we welcomed 36 Holocaust survivors and their families to a catered hot lunch with music by our own Naples Klezmer Band. Attending guests danced to the music and socialized. We look forward to continuing to offer more programs like Café Europa.

Our Brookdale Cognitive Health Center now occupies an entire wing of the new building. Participants are increasing in number, and we now have a total of seven respite groups here on Autumn Oaks Lane. As Medicare providers for geriatric mental health, we look forward to an expansion of that program. We are “staffing up” to meet the demand in both the respite and the mental health programs.

While many things have changed, like our name and our logo, we stay true to our mission of providing confidence, connection and support to seniors living in Collier and southern Lee counties. Senior Center membership is $60 per year and includes everything BSCN has to offer. Respite groups are $45 per session. Scholarships are available for anyone who needs assistance. No one is ever turned away because of inability to pay.

Please stop by for a tour. Become a member, a volunteer or just a friend.

Our best to you for a sweet Passover.