About us
A state-of-the-art Center

Our mission
To provide Confidence, Connection, and Support to seniors living in Collier and southern Lee Counties.

Initially founded in January 2014, Baker Senior Center Naples (BSCN) was the first senior center in Collier County. As one of only 80 Nationally Accredited Senior Centers, our evidence-based care is delivered by credentialed professional staff and vetted volunteers.

Our nurturing environment invites seniors to socialize, stay active, and learn at their own pace, while our programs offer essential human services and enrichment for a growing senior population.

Looking Forward
Our “Building Our Future” capital campaign was launched in 2019 to create a permanent home with ample room for creative programming and professional services, as well as peaceful outdoor gardens. The successful capital campaign included full completion of the new facility and outdoor areas, as well as an endowment to secure the future for our community’s seniors.

We opened the doors to our new 30,000-square-foot building on January 11, 2023, allowing BSCN to expand programs and services to support a growing population of older adults in our community.

The proven impact of our programs is only made possible thanks to the past, present, and future generosity of our donors, members, clients, and volunteers. Our work is far from done, and the number of seniors who need our help increases every day. We thank you for your interest in BSCN and we look forward to meeting you.

Leadership Team

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer
President/CEO

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples, has been a visionary leader in the field of human services for over 35 years.

Dr. Faffer currently chairs the Department of Elder Affairs Collier County Dementia Care and Cure Initiative. She is a past chair of the Collier County Leadership Coalition on Aging and is a graduate of Greater Naples Leadership Class XVIII.

  • Dr. Faffer has served as a consultant to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society on issues related to the psychological impact of chronic illness and disabilities. She has been an adjunct professor at Adelphi University, Hunter College, the Wurzweiler School, and Barry University, all graduate schools of social work where she taught clinical practice, social welfare administration, and human behavior in the social environment.

    She received her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Tulane University and her Doctoral Degree in Social Welfare from Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Dr. Faffer’s doctoral research was in the area of social work practice with adults who have chronic physical disabilities.

    Dr. Faffer has published numerous articles in professional journals on social work practice and administration and human resource development. She was awarded a scholarship from the Harvard Club of Naples to attend Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management, the Harvard Business School Executive Education program for CEOs.

Amanda Ignasak
Chief Senior Center Officer

Marisa Luizzi, CDP
Chief Cognitive Health Officer

Timothy J. Morrison, CFRE
Chief Development Officer

Pamela Osborne, LCSW and MBA Healthcare Management
Chief Clinical Officer

Wanda Rodriguez
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer

Staff
To reach a staff member, please contact info@bakerseniorcenternaples.org.

Alexandra Barba-Rodriguez
Senior Center Assistant

Mark Beland
Community Liaison

Stephanie Cakov, MSW
Social Worker

Gisela Chamberlin
Senior Accountant

John Colgin
Facility Manager

Kazha Croteau, MSW
Geriatric Case Manager

Renee Del Duca
Executive Assistant

Kelley Findlay
Administrative Assistant

Carol Golly, LCSW
Social Worker

Hilda Goin
Administrative Assistant

Tatiana Harris
Geriatric Case Manager

Holly Henderson
Administrative Assistant

Nicholas King
Administrative Assistant

Debbie Lageman
Volunteer Services Manager

Paula Matta, BMT
Music Therapist/Facilitator

Riley McLean, MSW
Social Worker

Geralyn Poletti, LCSW
Director of Social Work Services

Jodi Rubenstein, CCM
Supervisor of Geriatric Case Management

Jayne Schandl
Development Database Manager

Beata Sulek
Director of Finance

Board Officers

Karen Heithoff
Chair

Brian F. Bremer
Vice-Chair

Lucinda H. Stebbins
Treasurer

Phyllis Barolsky
Secretary

Prentiss C. Higgins
Immediate Past Chair

Board of Trustees

Jay H. Baker

Dr. Thomas P. Felke

Myra Friedman

David D. Hidy

Susan Horovitz

Alan S. Jaffe

Elliot Kaplan

George Kraus

Marvin Lader

John Levy

Dr. Sunil Pandya

Stephen Pino

David W. Rutstein* 

Stephen L. Schwartz

Davey Scoon

Gail Smith

Leda Zbar

Judith Zickler

   *Past Board Chair

Press
The latest articles and news about the organization

Baker Senior Center Naples is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate against any person or groups of persons on the grounds of race, ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability.