Page 50 - LIN.MARCHWEBSITE(1)

heart to heart

Friends, indeed,

for friends in need

by Karen Coney Coplin
T here’s a new face in town - or, actually, many faces in connecting with prospective

clients.
- all of whom comprise a newly launched not-for-
profit, the Collier Resource Center. If you haven’t
It is Ms. Gray’s knowledge of
heard about it, the organization will host an and passion for our community
upcoming “Friendraising” event later this month or in early that led her to co-found the
April, 2017 as an introduction to the Naples community. Collier Resource Center. This
What is the Collier organization, by utilizing trained
Our volunteers Resource Center? This local volunteers, assist clients with
know this organization is, in large part, navigating the maze of health and

community, have the brainchild of a long- human service organizations. She
time Naples resident, Nina stated, “Our volunteers know this
a genuine desire to Gray, who has been a part community, have a genuine desire to improve the quality of
improve the quality of the Naples non-profit life for our residents, and are able to dig deeper until they find
of life for our community as a professional what is needed.” One grateful client said, “Thank you for not
and as a committed volunteer. giving up on me.”
residents, and are As a retired CEO and The Collier Resource Center shares office space with the
able to dig deeper Chief Advancement Officer Senior Friendship Center and Healthcare Network of SW
for several well-regarded FL at 2355 Stanford Court. It provides confidential services
until they find what organizations such as the for which there is no charge. How can you help those in
is needed. Neighborhood Health Clinic, need? By donating or volunteering, of course! If you speak
she observed first-hand that Spanish or Creole, and have some time to spare, give them a
many potential clients of call. Do you know a graphic artist (maybe a student looking
human service organizations encountered a variety of barriers for public service hours?) - let them know you can help. Or, if
prior to getting the help they need. you are a whiz with public outreach, those with marketing or
For instance, low-income clients often had issues with public relations backgrounds can also step in to lend a hand.
reliable transportation. If they were lucky enough to have a car Other “wish list” items include client-tracking software;
or access to one, it could be that no gas money was available - case management volunteers, and donations. The organization
in the endless shifting of limited financial resources from one is planning to meet the community at large at their first
“need” to the next. “Friendraiser” on a date soon to be established. Please contact
Sometimes, language was a barrier too. Issues of general Nina Gray at 239.777.5341 or the CRC at 239.434.2030 or
literacy and computer literacy created barriers to effective online, www.collierresourcecenter.org, to find out how you
communication about the array of services which are available can help, or, if you know of someone in need of their help,
in the Naples community. The lack of access to the internet and, to receive an invitation to their Friendraiser event.
often is a problem. As Ms. Gray pointed out, “A typical
client does not own a computer, nor, has ‘unlimited access’ Karen Coney Coplin has lived in Naples, FL., since 1994 after
even if they own a smart phone” - which, frequently, they do growing up in upstate N.Y. Please email her at NaplesKCC@
not. Thus, even though many social service agencies exist to gmail.com to suggest a local organization for future coverage in
help those with the greatest needs, there were many barriers this column.

50 Life in Naples | March 2017