Women’s Foundation Grant Transforms Lives of Older At-Risk Women

Collier Senior Center-Golden Gate, Collier County’s first nonprofit senior resource center dedicated to addressing the needs of older adults and caregivers, was recently awarded a $50,000 grant by the Women’s Foundation of the Collier Community Foundation for the charity’s Direct Assistance Program.

“Our Direct Assistance Program has become a lifeline for at-risk older adults across Collier County and this additional funding from the Women’s Foundation of the Collier County Community Foundation ensures that Collier Senior Center-Golden Gate can help meet the ever-expanding needs of our community’s older women who are living with the fear and impact of financial hardship, especially those at-risk for homelessness,” shares Senior Center Social Services Coordinator Alelaniz Rosario, MSML.

The $50,000 grant, a jump of $20,000 over last year’s award, ensures older women who meet the program’s qualifications have up to $1,500 in one-time emergency funds each paid directly to providers to remain in safe housing, continue prescriptions, pay utilities and afford the basic necessities of life.

Launched in 2018, Collier Senior Center’s Direct Assistance Program is available to Collier County residents 60 years of age or older who are living within 175% of the federal poverty level ($27,930 annual income for household of one) and provides one-time emergency financial assistance paid directly to providers for:

• Medical prescriptions and eyeglasses
• Utility shut-off notices
• Rent/mortgage payments
• Durable medical equipment
• Small appliances
• Gas cards
• Additional items on a case-by-case basis

“Since 2018, Collier Senior Center has witnessed first-hand the safety, well-being and peace of mind that one-time emergency financial assistance can provide for seniors in need,” details Lully. “It’s heartening that the Women’s Foundation has once again stepped up to offer life-transforming support to the most underserved women in our community.”

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:

• 2,300+ 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 and weekly access to Meals of Hope food pantry to 1,050 Collier County seniors/month, plus Harry Chapin “Care & Share” nutritious, easy-to-prepare meal kits to 200 older adults each month.
• 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, Sheriff’s Office, and more.