Collier Resource Center
eNewsletter
We envision a community where all people are empowered with information and have access to resources which increase their opportunities for su ccess.
Our heartfelt gratitude for the impact you make…
On behalf of the Collier Resource Center Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season.
We sincerely thank you for all the ways you support our mission to empower the people of Collier County through information, referrals and case management . Our client advocacy, accomplished by individualized and personalized case management, is what makes us unique.

We couldn’t have accomplished what we did without the support of:
  • Individuals and family foundations
  • A dedicated Board of Directors
  • Our team of committed volunteers
  • St. John’s Episcopal Church Outreach Mission’s $7,500 grant
  • North Naples United Church of Christ’s $3,000 grant to create bilingual outreach materials
  • Moorings Presbyterian Church, Moorings Presbyterian Women’s gift of $500
St. John's Episcopal Church, Naples
Comments from a Neutral Observer
This story contains excerpts from a report written by John Kenny and Jeff Lytle, following a site visit to the Collier Resource Center as an evaluation and recommendation to the Performance and Outcomes Committee of the Community Foundation of Collier County.
The Collier Resource Center takes pride in doing a lot with very little. Indeed, its office on Airport-Pulling Road is 12’ by 8’ – big enough for a desk and two chairs. That is not just the reception area. That is the whole thing.

Helping 20 people a week comes to more than 1,000 a year – a substantial impact for an organization with a single part-time employee, funded by a $10,000 Angel Fund grant from the Community Foundation along with individual donors. Their 10 volunteers and seven board members all bring credentials from the social services and non-profits community, led by Nina Gray, formerly of Avow Hospice (when it started as Hospice of Naples) and the Neighborhood Health Clinic. She is uniquely knowledgeable and connected.

The CRC is up against tall odds, against issues that vex the entire community, such as affordable housing and living wages, but goes the extra mile with a grassroots marketing campaign – akin to first responders running into rather away from peril. Volunteers take bilingual fliers to grassroots locations such as laundromats, Spanish and other churches, senior centers, interagency meetings, veterans’ groups and mental health care providers. A follow-up contact is made with each person coming to the CRC for help.

They break the mold by being flexible – eager to go wherever no-cost office space is provided, such as the two current work sites donated by Healthcare Network of SWFL and a future location in the Nichols Community Health Center. This speaks to the CRC’s mission of connecting needy and bewildered clients with health care and other essential services such as food and shelter.

It is noteworthy that the CRC office is in the shadow of the Collier County Government Center. The CRC rolls up its sleeves to tackle assignments that in other communities would be handled at taxpayer expense, with no assurance of better efficiency and results.  
Luisa's Story
Luisa was visibly distressed the day she came to the CRC office carrying her baby in her arms. The little girl was curled up against her mother and appeared to be about two years old. During the intake interview, we learned the child is seven years old and has microcephaly caused by the Zika virus.

Microcephaly can cause a cascade of physical, neurological, and developmental symptoms including feeding problems, difficulty swallowing, hearing loss, vision problems and impaired growth and cognitive development.

As the full-time caregiver for her daughter, Luisa was struggling financially. CRC was able to find a proper car seat, a crib and a supply of clothing and diapers. There is still a long way to go for Luisa and her family, but we are committed to helping her on this challenging journey.
Welcome Marioly Soto
 “Always do your best, never give up
and follow your dreams.” 

The Collier Resource Center (CRC) is pleased to introduce Marioly Soto, who joined the team as our Program Coordinator. Marioly’s focus is on client intake and case management, increasing outreach using a multicultural approach, overseeing the client tracking software and working with our volunteers.

When asked why she wants to work for the Collier Resource Center, Marioly said, “To help people and make their lives better! I believe the most important part of this job is empathy.”

Prior to moving to Naples three years ago, Marioly lived in Cuba. She is an accountant with a 20-year career in banking. “Cuba,” Marioly said, “has been isolated from the rest of the world. When I first went into a Wal-Mart grocery story, it was unimaginable to have so many choices. You might find one type of apple in Cuba and it would be in short supply. Here, there are so many varieties of fruit available all year, not just in season.”

Marioly said she is grateful to live in the United States. She believes this is truly the land of opportunity for those willing to work and working hard is what she does. There have been times when she worked three jobs. She said her goal is always to do your best, never give up and follow your dreams.
We invite you to stop by the CRC office to meet Marioly and welcome her.
Volunteer Spotlight: Barbara Saner
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

This quote by Maya Angelou is one of Barbara’s favorites and describes her philosophy. As a CRC volunteer she has facilitated our Workshops and worked on special projects. Being with people and giving back is just part of her.
Surviving to Thriving Inaugural Event
Surviving to Thriving - the Collier Resource Center’s first fundraising event on November 8 th at St. John’s Episcopal Church benefits CRC’s Client Advocacy Program.

For this inaugural event, Niccole Howard was invited to share with guests her personal journey overcoming adversity and how she went from surviving to thriving. Thriving is almost too small a word to describe Niccole. She is a mother, an activist and the founder and CEO of Collier Child Care Resources, Inc. This not-for-profit organization provides vital resources to the children of Southwest Florida. That alone would be enough to fill out someone’s background, but a sterling career is only one of Niccole’s many impressive feats. She had no easy childhood, no easy teenage years, and no easy adult years. Plain and simple, Niccole has not had it easy, but she continues to overcome adversity and has done so while being a community leader and advocate for our children.

Following a sumptuous breakfast buffet, sixty-five guests enjoyed an introduction to the Collier Resource Center where they learned about the work this organization does. Thanks to the generosity of those who attended, $8350 was raised to support the CRC’s Client Advocacy Program.
IRA Charitable Rollover
The IRA Charitable Rollover allows taxpayers 70½ years or older to make tax-free charitable gifts of up to $100,000 per year directly from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) to eligible charities.

Please consider the Collier Resource Center for this type of donation. These three steps make it possible:

  1. The donor requests the IRS plan administrator to transfer funds to a qualified charitable organization.
  2. The IRS administrator transfers funds directly to the charity.
  3. This “qualified charitable distribution” is excluded from the donor’s adjusted gross income.
Effective 1/2/19, the hours of operation are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 
We envision a community where all people are empowered with information and have access to resources which increase their opportunities for success. 

Your gift can make this vision a reality.
Please make a gift to CRC today!