By Catie Ramos
Every season, a new group of students interns at Goodwin Living to explore careers in senior living and healthcare. They step into real projects, build lasting intergenerational relationships and see firsthand how the purposeful work we do changes lives. Those experiences have earned us recognition from the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership as a Top Employer for Interns, making Goodwin Living the only senior living and healthcare organization in Virginia to receive the honor. This season was no different.
Launched in 2022, the Goodwin Living internship program opens the door for high school and college students to explore non-clinical career paths across departments like Marketing & Communications, Human Resources and Health Administration. Thanks to support from generous donors to the Goodwin Living Foundation, these paid opportunities give interns practical experience alongside professional development.
This spring, each of our current interns took time to reflect on their experience and share what the program has meant to them.
Nahir Habte | Goodwin Brain Health Thrive Day Program Intern
Nahir is a sophomore at George Mason University majoring in health administration. Through the Goodwin Brain Health Thrive Day Program, she has been able to build close relationships with residents while gaining insight into how daily operations support resident well-being in a real-world setting.
“The most meaningful part of this internship has been connecting with residents, alongside my resident mentor,” Nahir said. She went on to share how the guidance they provided supported her both professionally and personally.
Nahir learned “how impactful small activities can be,” highlighting activities such as discussions, listening to music, brain games and simple exercises. She observed how these simple interactions can significantly enhance the mood and participation of the residents.
Working with older adults with a range of cognitive abilities has deepened her understanding that each person has unique needs and strengthened her knowledge in how to use empathy, care, flexibility and a more individualized perspective. “Cognitive decline is not one-size-fits-all and impacts individuals in different ways,” she said.
Janiya Wright | Goodwin Brain Health Thrive Day Program Intern
Janiya is sophomore at George Mason University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management. She has worked as a dining server at Goodwin Living for the past three years, where she developed a passion for the organization and the residents. This season, Janiya decided to pursue an internship with Goodwin Brain Health to gain new experience and continue growing within the organization.
Janiya loved coming to her internship every day and enjoyed “making a great impact on [the residents’] lives by doing activities with them, or just simply having a conversation with them.” These daily interactions helped her understand the importance of small moments in enhancing resident engagement.
As a Goodwin Brain Health intern, Janiya expected to mostly learn about how brain health and diseases affect older adults. However, she was moved by “how much I learned from residents while working in the Thrive Day Program,” she said. Janiya found that conversations and shared activities provided valuable insight into the importance of patience and communication when working with individuals with different cognitive abilities.
Caitlin Kelley | Engagement and Outreach (Human Resources) Intern
Caitlin is a senior at James Madison University studying communications with a minor in political science. She will graduate this summer. She was first introduced to Goodwin Living through her grandparents, who are residents at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads. Prior to learning about the organization from her “Papa,” Caitlin thought that working in senior living required a medical background. After speaking with him, Caitlin realized that wasn’t the case and chose to explore opportunities within the organization. She wanted to see how she could make valuable contributions to the lives of older adults.
Caitlin has enjoyed connecting with residents and community members.
“I loved getting to know my resident mentors and deeply value the relationships we fostered,” Caitlin said.
These connections allowed her to gain guidance and wisdom and offered a unique experience compared to any other internship she had. She also enjoyed growing her abilities through workshops, which helped her build her skills in resume writing, networking and public speaking.
Caitlin described Goodwin Living as a place where everyone seems genuinely happy to be at work and be around each other.
“I think that the positive energy is what makes Goodwin Living so special,” Caitlin said. “It’s as if happiness is contagious here. I didn’t think that working with older adults could be so fun!”
Rudy Sanchez | Goodwin Living At Home Intern
Rudy Sanchez is graduating from Marymount University this spring with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in sports management. He discovered Goodwin Living through a tabling event at Marymount University’s Ballston campus, where a connection with a former intern and current team member led to an introduction to Goodwin Living At Home.
Rudy’s mentor, Goodwin House Alexandria Resident James Hoben, was an impactful part of his experience. “He has been an integral part of my internship journey,” Rudy shared, noting the value in their conversations, advice and shared lunches, which sometimes included carrot cake.
Coming into the internship with an open mind and unsure what to expect, Rudy did not realize how the internship would extend beyond day-to-day tasks. Building relationships with his mentor, supervisor and fellow interns also offered meaningful learning opportunities.
Rudy leaves his Goodwin Living internship with a strong takeaway to approach every experience with curiosity and initiative.
“You never know what opportunity lies ahead,” Rudy said.
Zhane John | Home Office Intern
Zhane is a junior studying business administration with a minor in finance at Marymount University.
Through interactions with her supervisor, Director of Home Office Katiana Jolimeau and resident mentor Eileen, Zhane received thoughtful guidance and insights.
“I felt safe enough to ask questions, eager to learn and excited to contribute,” Zhane shared. “Speaking with my resident mentor was an added benefit, and I learned a great deal from our conversations.”
Zhane described the culture at Goodwin Living as “supportive,” “vibrant” and “uplifting.” The genuine connections she witnessed between team members and residents left a lasting impression. Through this experience, she discovered that she would like to pursue a career with purpose. “I hope to someday find myself exploring options that make me feel just as purposeful as I did in my short time interning here,” she said.
Sophia Dobard | Human Resources Intern
Sophia is a senior at George Mason University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, while also attaining her masters in the same field. She joined the Goodwin Living team as a Human Resources intern, happy to have found a paid opportunity. The supportive environment and ability to balance an internship with other commitments also made a strong impression.
This experienced taught her that “senior living can be more than just a nursing home.” Through observing the connections between team members and residents, Sophia gained a new perspective on what it means to create a caring, connected community. “It surprised me just how much people care about one another,” she said.
Sophia leaves with a deeper understanding of what it really means to be a faith-based, not-for-profit senior living and healthcare services organization.
Kenia Huezo | Marketing & Communications Intern
Kenia is a junior at Marymount University, majoring in business administration with a minor in marketing. She was immediately drawn to Goodwin Living after meeting a welcoming team member who was visiting her school. Kenia could also see the community spirit of the organization as she explored the Goodwin Living Instagram.
“Knowing that I am part of an organization that gives back, that is caring and helps older adults and team members,” brought meaning to Kenia’s internship. “Here, I was able to learn that it’s not just a ‘nursing home’ as many might think.”
Kenia had the opportunity to observe values in action, which strengthened her appreciation for mission-driven work. She was especially moved while photographing an award ceremony honoring Goodwin Living President and CEO Rob Liebreich, who was recognized by ABIC for his leadership supporting a global workforce.
Through hands on-projects such as interviewing team members and developing marketing content, Kenia gained skills in video editing, graphic design and project planning.
Madi Butler | Health Administration Intern
Madi is a senior at George Mason University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in dance appreciation. Madi chose an internship with Goodwin Living due to a strong interest in expanding her experience in geriatric social work and gaining a deeper understanding of long-term care environments.
Madi appreciated building relationships with residents and team members during her internship.
She also reflected on the welcoming culture at Goodwin Living. “I tend to feel out of place at times because I’m finishing up my undergraduate degree, but they all have made me feel welcomed and like part of the team,” Madi said.
Madi did not expect the level of engagement residents have on campus.
“I have been surprised by the different activities that are offered to residents,” she said. Madi has learned the importance of social work in senior living settings and that having a social worker helps advocate for residents’ needs and enhances their overall quality of life.
Klaire Reynoso | Marketing & Communications
Klaire is a sophomore at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) majoring in business administration. Her interest in Goodwin Living developed after connecting with team members at a career fair on campus. The genuine enthusiasm and energy in their work stood out compared to previous job experiences.
There have been many fulfilling moments during Klaire’s internship with Goodwin Living.
“I found that some of the most meaningful moments come from the interactions with my mentors,” Klaire said. “They’ve guided me through many changes I’m going through as a young adult.”
Klaire appreciated the level of creative freedom she was given within the organization and was inspired by the amount of support she received. She also felt encouraged taking on several writing and video projects and enjoyed the flexibility to explore new ideas and take initiative in her work.
Klaire will take away how important it is to work in an environment that invests in growth and encourages creativity. “It’s a unique thing to have, and I hope people will notice,” she said.
Building the Future of Senior Living Together
Centered on growth, learning and connection, interns gain hands-on experience, build meaningful relationships with residents and team members and discover new perspectives on careers in senior living and healthcare services.
This paid internship program is made possible through the generous support of donors to the Goodwin Living Foundation. To help sustain and grow these opportunities for future cohorts, you can support the program here.
To learn more about Goodwin Living internship opportunities, visit https://goodwinliving.org/work-with-us/internships/.
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Catie Ramos, LNHA, MHA has a background in education and transitioned to serving older adults at Goodwin Living in 2018. As the Team Member Engagement and Outreach Manager, she is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections with interns, team members and residents, creating a positive and supportive environment. Committed to excellence in senior living and healthcare, she continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing education and professional growth. Catie is a volunteer at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads (GHBC) who leads weekend activities in Assisted Living and teaches fitness classes for Independent Living residents as a Certified AFAA Group Fitness Instructor. She also enjoys spending time with her two nephews and niece, often incorporating them into her volunteer work at GHBC to foster intergenerational connections.
