The Collier Senior Center members are from low to median socio-economic circumstances and successful retirees. A blend of cultures, from Haitian to Russian to Latino, gets along in a family-like environment, according to director Ester Lully.

The center addresses the mental, physical and social concerns of those aged 60 and older. It provides “opportunities for seniors to offset isolation, loneliness and its effects on seniors’ body, minds and spirits.”

“People are very accepting of each other, and the camaraderie is evident. That is one of the highlights for me. I enjoy the humanistic factor here at the center. Everyone dignifies one another regardless of socio-economic status or languages spoken. They try to serve and dignify each other, even if it means trying to understand each other’s language. I truly love witnessing this,” Lully said.

Formerly known as Collier Senior Resources, the facility originally opened in 2014 in the space occupied by the Golden Gate Library; in 2022, it was re-branded as Collier Senior Center, and today, it offers a wide array of services.

A social service coordinator handles the Direct Assistance Program, which offers onetime financial assistance of up to $500 to any senior below the 175% poverty level to help with medication, medical bills, gas cards or whatever they need.

Collier Senior Center also has a women-only mental wellness UPSLIDE Counseling & Peer Support program; some 35 to 40 ladies attend the weekly Wednesday gatherings.

“UPSLIDE has a friendship group component facilitated either by the social service coordinator or a licensed therapist who reviews various topics relating to their world—whatever they are going through. We educate on a learning mechanism for coping skills and offer individual counseling sessions,” said Lully.

“It’s amazing to see women in their 80s and 90s having breakthroughs talking about things that they’ve never shared with another soul. They learn there is a safe space where it’s okay to talk about their issues, process them and break free. This program is probably my favorite at CSC.”

The center also offers social activities such as chair yoga, Zumba exercise class, monthly bingo, card games, domino tournaments, arts and crafts classes, art therapy, music and entertainment, as well as occasional outside trips to Naples Botanical Garden or other locales.

“We have many celebrations, and we try to celebrate as much as we can for any reason, with dancing and food. We do themed events, birthday and holiday celebrations, and celebrate different cultures—they are our most popular activities. Our members can invite their families when they are honored for their birthdays,” Lully said.

“I want to re-establish some activities on hold or stopped since COVID started. For example, we have an English class that will start again this year, as many of our members may know some English but want to enhance their skills. A lady’s crochet class and a computer class will also be re-started. Since COVID hit, volunteerism has slowed down, and today, some members serve that purpose and help out, but I want to get that back up.”

Health fairs are held with partners such as Medicare agencies who send reps to help the seniors fill out paperwork to apply for Medicare services, and an AARP program that assists seniors with job placements. Technology seminars teach members how to use their phones best.

Collier Senior Center partners with the Health Network and various county medical agencies to care for the members’ medical well-being. Blood testing, flu shots and other vaccinations are offered, and the Lions Club handles vision screenings.

“We started a cardiology lecture series on atrial fibrillation late in 2023. We will have another series again in January with Dr. Julian J. Javier and Dr. Leandro Perez, board-certified interventional cardiology and endovascular specialists with the Naples Cardiac & Endovascular Center, hosted by Advanced Research for Health Improvement,” said Lully.

“Thomas P. Felke, MSW, Ph.D., executive director of FGCU’s Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging, is an advocate for us and is partnering with us to host a series in the new year about balance and falls, topics relevant to an aging population.”

In conjunction with various community partners agencies, including Meals of Hope and Harry Chapin Food Bank, food is provided through food pantries and frozen meals are prepared for those who are homebound, and delivered to their homes during the holidays.

“We collaborate with Collier County Nutrition Program to provide a hot meal daily, Monday through Friday. Essentially, we want to be a one-stop shop. We are feeding our members’ souls and minds. We want to enhance the quality of their lives in every way we can,” Lully said.

Additional cooperating entities include Avow, Catholic Charities, the Sheriff’s Office, Veteran’s Services and the Area Agency on Aging.

Funding for the center is primarily from grants and private donors; the best is non-restricted funding from donors.

“Our other partners include The Moorings Park Foundation, Women’s Philanthropic Network, the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and the Collier Community Foundation. We are very thankful for their help meeting needs,” Lully said.

Johnny Welch, a member, is excited about the work of the Collier Senior Center.

“It’s good to get around people you can help, engage with and feel safe. I do many things in my community as a sort of public relations person. The CSC is a stepping-off point for me because I can sit here and do some reading, be quiet and communicate with people,” said Welch.