Senior center adds programs and social workers

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/ CEO

As “season” slows down and comes to a close, Baker Senior Center Naples continues to add more interesting programs. Our HUGS (Happy Ukulele Group) now not only play together for an hour of joyous music, but they offer lessons, as well. We have added some interesting lecture series — today, we are learning about the culture and economy of Cuba. And, wow, is our garden growing. Little tomatoes, squash and sunflowers are among the plants beginning to thrive in our garden.

We have also been involved in helping homeless senior women. Through a grant from the Collier Community Foundation, we are working with 12 senior women who are “situationally” homeless. What does that mean? This refers to someone who first experienced homelessness after age 50 through illness, loss of a partner, loss of a job or because of a natural disaster, in this case, Hurricane Ian. Our case manager is working closely with these women on stabilization, with the goal of rehousing.

Rehousing in Collier County is particularly difficult with the dramatic lack of affordable housing. While searching for appropriate housing, we make sure all have accessed their benefits, been assisted through our food pantry and provided supportive counseling. So far, we have successfully rehoused three of the senior women with whom we have worked.

To address the challenge of hiring social workers, we began a Fellowship program, funded by the Brookdale Foundation Group, in August 2022. We provided a $10,000 stipend to two second-year FGCU social work students with an interest in gerontology. We had two fellows this year and both graduated in May. We are happy to report that we have hired both to work in our Cognitive Health program, facilitating dementia respite and caregiver programs as well as providing assessments. We are hoping to have two more fellows for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Please circle Jan. 13, 2024 on your calendars for our 12th annual signature fundraising event, An Evening for Better Tomorrows. More to come ….

Best wishes to all for a safe, happy and cool summer.