Baker Senior Center Naples Mourns the Loss of its Founder, President, and CEO Dr. Jaclynn Faffer
- Clay W. Cone
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
Baker Senior Center Naples, a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive programs and social services to support older adults and their families, has announced the passing of its Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jaclynn Faffer. A visionary leader and innovator, Dr. Faffer was the leading advocate for seniors in our community.
Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Faffer was a fearless professional and systems builder in the field of human services, with over 35 years of distinguished experience. She held a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Tulane University and a Doctoral Degree in Social Welfare from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University.
Dr. Faffer moved to Naples in 2010 to head a small family services agency, which eventually became the Naples Senior Center, now known today as Baker Senior Center Naples. When the non-profit organization opened its doors in 2014, it was the first dedicated senior center in Collier County and served 80 individuals aged 60 and over.
Today, more than 1,700 members benefit from its mission of empowering older adults to thrive and enjoy life to its fullest. To accommodate that growth, Dr. Faffer oversaw the construction of a new 30,000-square-foot permanent home in North Naples in 2023.
As a trailblazer for her industry, Dr. Faffer pioneered essential programs in Southwest Florida, focusing on human services and enrichment for a growing senior population.
“Soon after her arrival, Jackie became the person to see for social services,” said Karen Heithoff, board chair for Baker Senior Center Naples. “Both publicly and during countless hours privately, Jackie enriched the lives of countless numbers of Southwest Florida residents.”
(L) Senator Scott and Dr. Faffer
(M) Judge Martin, Senator Passidomo, Commissioner Taylor & Dr. Faffer
(R) Dr. Jaclynn Faffer with Jay and Patty Baker
Her leadership extended to prominent roles in human service organizations in both New York and Florida. She served as a consultant for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society on the psychological impact of chronic illness and has been an adjunct faculty member at esteemed institutions such as Adelphi University, Hunter College, Wurzweiler, and Barry University Graduate Schools of Social Work. She also published articles in professional journals on social work practice, administration, and human resource development.
A dedicated community leader, Dr. Faffer was a past chair of the Collier County Leadership Coalition on Aging and a graduate of Greater Naples Leadership Class XVIII, where she also served as a board member. In July 2014, she attended the Harvard Business School Executive Education program for CEOs, focusing on strategic perspectives in non-profit management. She was also appointed by the Department of Elder Affairs as chair of the Collier County Dementia Care and Cure Initiative.
Throughout her career, Dr. Faffer earned numerous awards. Most recently, she was named by Gulfshore Life magazine as one of its Men & Women of the Year 2025, which honored individuals who are shaping the future of the community through philanthropy, design, hospitality, and more. Dr. Faffer was also recently recognized by Naples Illustrated magazine among its Naples 100 top influential residents in Collier County.
Baker Senior Center Naples is the only human services agency of its kind, providing “one-stop-shop” services addressing the emotional and social needs of older adults locally.
All programs and services are provided by licensed and credentialed professionals. These include the Brookdale Cognitive Health Center, which provides dementia respite groups and caregiver support, geriatric case management and senior outreach programs, and mental health counseling, as well as a “choice” food pantry.
An average of 40 different social, wellness, and educational programs is also offered each week thanks to a dedicated corps of more than 300 trained and vetted volunteers.
For additional information on Baker Senior Center Naples and its comprehensive programs and social services for local seniors, visit bakerseniorcenternaples.org.
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