Jim Barton, Board Chair, Collier Senior Resources (CSR), and Sharon Aragona, Chief Operating Officer, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., are pleased to announce that CSR and Catholic Charities of Collier County have partnered to jointly hire the Program Director for the soon-to-open Golden Gate Senior Access Center at the old Golden Gate Library.

The partnership is strategic for both non-profits. Since 1968, Catholic Charities of Collier County has been addressing the complex service needs in Golden Gate and through-out Collier County ranging in substance and style according to local need and available resources. Collier Senior Resources, founded in 2009, is known for collaborating with dozens of agencies and non-profits in our area, and has secured the lease to use the old Golden Gate library.

The partnership is a ‘win-win-win’ not only for CSR and Catholic Charities, but also, more importantly, for the seniors and caregivers in the area. By working together to recruit and employ the Program Director, the new Golden Gate Senior Access Center is on track to open in October 2014. Planned services include daily hot lunch program for seniors through the Collier County Nutrition program, weekly food pantry with Meals of Hope for all in need, employment assistance for unemployed low-income seniors thanks to Experience Works, and numerous programs and services that seniors and caregivers have requested.

The Center will embrace a ‘no wrong door’ philosophy ensuring that anyone who visits will find the information and resources needed; staff and volunteers will be fluent in English, Spanish and Creole. For more information and to view the Wish List of needed furnishings and equipment, please visit www.CollierSeniorResources.org or call 239-252-4541.

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Published Naples Daily News, July 24, 2014 – Judy Bokorney