NAPLES SENIOR CENTER HONORS ALAN HOROWITZ

NAPLES SENIOR CENTER HONORS ALAN HOROWITZ AS

ITS SECOND ANNUAL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Naples Senior Center, a nonprofit organization that supports and enriches the lives of seniors and their families in Collier and southern Lee counties, has named Alan Horowitz as its second annual Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented to Horowitz during the Naples Senior Center’s 9th Annual “Evening for Better Tomorrows,” which was held virtually on January 9th due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Naples Senior Center opened its doors in January 2014 and is the only human services agency of its kind in our community. The center provides comprehensive programs and social services for seniors, giving them the tools to address life’s challenges. Beginning with just 80 initial members, the center has expanded to more than 1,400 members today.

Horowitz has volunteered with Naples Senior Center for more than five years. He has helped out in a variety of ways but especially enjoys delivering meals and bags of food each week to seniors while the center is closed. The Volunteer of the Year Award is a new recognition by Naples Senior Center and was generously sponsored by Ray Harman.

“The interaction that Alan provides our seniors, whether delivering meals or simply chatting on the phone, is so critical in combatting isolation and loneliness among older adults in our community,” said Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/CEO of the Naples Senior Center. “We are happy to honor him as our second annual Volunteer of the Year Award.”

The Naples Senior Center enriches the lives of those 60 years of age and older by providing comprehensive programs and social services that support and strengthen individuals and their families, often at times of vulnerability and crisis. Since the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, the center has been meeting seniors needs virtually.

All programs and services are provided by licensed and credentialed professionals. These include Structured Dementia Respite Support; Geriatric Case Management and Senior Outreach Programs; and Emotional Support Services as well as a “choice” Food Pantry.

An average of 40 different social, educational and wellness programs also are offered each week thanks to a dedicated corps of more than 200 trained and vetted volunteers. Among the programs are a weekly “Lunch and More;” classes in art, music and film; brain fitness and educational seminars; courses in computer science; physical well-being; and interest groups. The center serves everyone regardless of backgrounds and beliefs.

To ensure its programs and services remain available to any senior who wants them the Naples Senior Center has embarked on a capital campaign to build a new permanent home on Autumn Oaks Lane, just a block south of Immokalee Road. The 30,000-square-foot facility has been accelerated by a $5-million lead gift from Patty and Jay Baker.

The new Naples Senior Center will be centrally located to the largest concentration of members and will be easily accessible from other locations in Collier County. The site also will enable seniors to benefit from a nurturing, natural setting that offers outdoor space for walking, quiet contemplation and low-impact exercise programs such as tai chi.

For additional information on the Naples Senior Center and its comprehensive programs and social services for area seniors and their families, visit www.NaplesSeniorCenter.org.

 

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