Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Collier Senior Center-Golden Gate, founded in 2010 to address the needs of Collier County older adults and caregivers, was recently awarded a $20,000 by the Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida to support the charity’s acclaimed mental wellness program, UPSLIDE.
“Launched in 2020, UPSLIDE was a true lifeline for seniors during the pandemic and has remained crucial to meeting the mental health needs of older adults in Collier County,” shares Senior Center Director Esther Lully. “We’re deeply grateful for the Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida grant as it ensures not only some of our 2,000 members, but seniors from across our community continue to enjoy peace of mind, a sense of belonging and receive the professional and peer support needed to truly cherish their golden years.”
UPSLIDE (Utilizing and Promoting Social Engagement for Loneliness, Isolation and Depression in Elderly) was founded in January 2020 to offer free professional counseling and a Friends Connection group for women 60+ years of age, addressing the growing epidemic of depression, loneliness, isolation among seniors while helping them build relationships and engage more socially. Due to demand, the program opened to include men and has served more than 165 seniors to date.
The Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of Southwest Florida women and their families through collective giving. Since its founding in 2012, the Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida has awarded close to $1 million in grants to local nonprofits in Collier and Lee Counties, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening the community and improving the lives of thousands of women and their families. The group has also grown from 10 founding members to more than 125 current members and prioritized supporting seniors for 2025 — specifically, organizations that help older community members thrive by providing access to housing, legal counsel, social engagement, hot meals, financial stability and other critical services.
Collier Senior Center-Golden Gate is open Monday – Friday (excluding major holidays), 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, providing an array of free services for seniors, caregivers and those in-need throughout Collier County:
2,000+ members enjoying more than 10 weekly programs, plus a variety of offerings each month: daily breakfast, hot lunch and coffee bar; weekly food pantry; monthly birthday parties; virtual and in-person yoga, dance and exercise classes; art and craft classes; cards and games; holiday parties and additional life-enhancing offerings like health screenings, lectures, counseling and support services.
More than 1,100 hot lunches a month to seniors in-need, plus Harry Chapin “Care & Share” nutritious, easy-to-prepare meal kits to 200 older adults each month.
Direct Assistance Program to more than 1,187 Collier County residents 60 years of age or older living within 175% of the federal poverty level to provide one-time financial assistance for medical prescriptions, eyeglasses, utility shut-off notices, rent/mortgage payments, durable medical equipment, small appliances, gas cards and additional items on a case-by-case basis. Funded in part by the Collier Community Foundation and Naples Woman’s Club.
UPSLIDE Free professional counseling and Friends Connection group to more than 165 individuals 60+ years of age to address depression, loneliness, isolation; build relationships and engage more socially involved. Funded by the Collier Community Foundation, Moorings Park Foundation, Naples Woman’s Club, Women’s Foundation of CCF and Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida.
Centralized source for local and long-distance caregivers seeking senior-related information, services and resources in Collier County.
Partnerships to provide programs, socialization and convenient access to other agencies.
Virtual Resource Directory.
The charity maximizes each dollar received by collaborating with trusted partners, including Area Agency on Aging, Catholic Charities (social services), Collier Area Transport, Collier County Nutrition, Salvation Army, Sheriff’s Office and more.
For more information about Collier Senior Center-Golden Gate, including how to support the organization’s work, please call 239-252-4541, or visit CollierSeniorCenter.org.
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