Naples Woman’s Club Awards $16,500 Grant to NAMI Collier County
January 29, 2026
Check Presentation at NAMI (left to right) Amy Strom, Director of Clinical innovation; Leslie Turner, Operations Manager, Patricia Swenson, NWC Philanthropy CommitteeThe Naples Woman’s Club (NWC) has awarded a $16,500 grant to NAMI Collier County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in support of its HUGS Children’s Mental Health Program. HUGS provides specialized, early intervention mental health services for children and teens experiencing emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges.
“We are so thankful to have received this $16,500 grant from the Naples Woman’s Club to benefit our HUGS Children’s Mental Health Program,” said Beth Hatch, Director of NAMI Collier County. “This funding allows us to continue providing early intervention services for children living with mental illness, developmental delays, and social emotional difficulties—especially those from low-income and vulnerable families.”
The 2025 Naples Woman’s Club grant enabled NAMI to hire a licensed clinical social worker, ensuring that children in crisis receive immediate access to care. Services include screenings and short-term therapy provided at no cost and without a waiting period—an essential lifeline in a system often burdened by lengthy delays.
NAMI Collier County, a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has served the community since 1987. For more than a decade, its HUGS program has delivered a comprehensive range of services to at-risk children and young adults—from infancy through age 22—who are living with mental illness. NAMI works to improve quality of life for individuals and families affected by persistent mental health conditions through advocacy, education, and direct support. Its open-door policy provides a vital bridge to additional community resources, helping families navigate housing, food insecurity, and mental health care while facing long waiting lists elsewhere.
A Legacy of Service and Impact
Founded in 1932, the Naples Woman’s Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and families through education, philanthropy, and service. From providing milk to undernourished children during the Great Depression, to establishing Naples’ first public library and helping to launch Youth Haven, the Club has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly a century. Today, NWC members continue that legacy through hands-on volunteerism and impactful fundraising. To date, the Club has contributed more than $4 million in scholarships, grants, and community support throughout Collier County.
The Naples Woman’s Club
570 Park Street
Naples FL 34102
https://napleswomansclub.org
