Collier Resource Center is excited to share that Carolina Heiser has joined our team as Director of Senior Services and Community Partnerships.
Carolina brings more than five years of experience in case management, community engagement, volunteer coordination, and cross-sector collaboration. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and is deeply passionate about helping individuals and families access the resources and support they need to achieve stability, independence, and long-term well-being.
A first-generation college graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University, Carolina’s story is rooted in perseverance and opportunity. Her mother and siblings migrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in search of a better future. Carolina arrived in the United States at the age of six, growing up with a deep appreciation for the sacrifices her family made to build a new life. Those sacrifices instilled in her a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to honor her mother’s determination through hard work, service, and dedication to helping others.
Growing up in a household where English was not the primary language gave Carolina a firsthand understanding of the barriers many families face when navigating systems, accessing resources, and building stability in a new country. These experiences shaped her passion for community service and her commitment to ensuring individuals and families feel supported, respected, and empowered.
Throughout her career, Carolina has worked closely with nonprofit organizations, community agencies, and local partners to strengthen programs that support housing stability, access to essential services, and community connection. She has experience coordinating community initiatives, managing volunteer engagement platforms, facilitating life-skills workshops, and supporting large-scale programs such as tax assistance initiatives and disaster recovery services.
Carolina began her social services career with The Salvation Army of Collier County, where she served as a Case Management Specialist in the Pathway of Hope program, a nationally recognized initiative that helps families move beyond crisis toward lasting stability and self-sufficiency. In this role, she conducted comprehensive intakes, developed individualized service plans, and connected families with critical resources to support long-term success. She later served as a Disaster Case Manager, assisting individuals and families impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, and other emergencies, and guiding them through recovery with compassion, expertise, and a strong commitment to both immediate relief and long-term stability.
She later served as a Community Impact Coordinator with United Way of Collier and the Keys, where she managed volunteer engagement efforts, coordinated community programs, and collaborated with nonprofit partners to expand access to services across the region. Carolina has also supported administrative operations and client intake processes with the Collier Disaster Alliance, helping coordinate communication and service tracking for disaster recovery support.
Carolina believes that strong communities are built through compassion, collaboration, and opportunity. She is deeply committed to creating welcoming spaces where individuals and families feel supported, empowered, and encouraged to move forward with confidence. Through her work, she strives to inspire hope, strengthen partnerships, and help others realize their potential.