Program areas at Collier Senior Center
The golden gate Senior Center, now known as Collier Senior center--golden gate provides a variety of programs, socialization, classes, breakfasts, hot lunches, emergency financial assistance, mental health counseling, employment assistance and resources for seniors and caregivers, right in the heart of golden gate city, located in the former golden gate library at 4898 coronado parkway, naples. The Center is open from 9am until 5pm monday through friday. English, spanish and creole are spoken by members, participants and staff. Information and referral services are also provided via the online Resource directory to resources and services needed by seniors and caregivers in Collier County at collierseniorcenter.org aggregating accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive information accessible 24/7 anywhere via the internet.
The upslide (utilizing and promoting social engagement for loneliness, isolation, and depression in the elderly) program, started in 2019, aims to break the cycle of loneliness which produces depression, cognitive decline, physical decline, and isolation through counseling and socialization in at-risk women age 60 and older. The assessment covers the three areas of isolation, loneliness and depression. Bi-lingual counseling helps activity plan, provides coaching on establishing and maintaining friendships. Mental health counselors provide assessment visits, individual counseling, exploring options for social engagement, friendly chat groups, referrals/resources, support and follow-up.
Starting in 2018, Collier Senior Center is a safety net for moderate and low-income seniors (incomes less than 175% federal poverty level) by providing emergency financial assistance for seniors in need to improve the quality of life and alleviate their financial burden and emotional stress. The direct assistance disbursements paid to landlords, utility companies, doctors and pharmacies help cover utility shut-offs, eyeglasses, rent payments, gas cards, and doctor and dentist bills, medications, etc. Collier Senior center--golden gate accepts referrals from a wide number of local agencies. The Senior provides documentation that prove financial hardship and that all other resources had been exhausted.