FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 14, 2026
CONTACT: Mary Maude Davis | (615) 780-3373 | marymaude.davis@finnpartners.com
Recognition highlights Goodwin Living’s paid internship program and its commitment to preparing the next generation of the aging-services workforce
(Alexandria, VA) — Goodwin Living™, a faith-based, not-for-profit senior living and health care services organization in the National Capital Region, has been named an inaugural 2026 InternshipsVA Top Employer and regional Inspiring Employer by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the Commonwealth’s economic development authority. The recognition comes as the nation prepares for a rapidly aging population, underscoring the importance of investing in the people who will help shape the future of aging services
Through its InternshipsVA initiative, VEDP recognizes Virginia employers that invest time and resources in exemplary, high-quality paid internship programs that create value for both students and employers. The honor highlights Goodwin Living’s commitment to introducing high school and college students to the diverse, mission-driven careers that support senior living and health care services.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s recent report, “An Aging World: 2025,” projects that nearly one in four Americans will be age 65 or older by 2060. As the need for aging services grows, Goodwin Living is helping build a talent pipeline by giving emerging professionals hands-on experience, mentoring and a clearer understanding of the meaningful work available throughout the field.
“Senior living is facing a workforce challenge that will only become more urgent as the number of older adults continues to grow,” said Rob Liebreich, President and CEO of Goodwin Living. “We cannot wait until students are already choosing careers to introduce them to this field. We must create meaningful, early opportunities that show young people the purpose, professional growth and wide range of careers available in senior living. Through our internship program, Goodwin Living is helping build the next generation of people who are essential to meeting the needs of older adults in the years ahead.”
Since launching its non-clinical internship program in 2022, Goodwin Living has welcomed 182 high school and college student interns across 16 departments, including dining services, marketing and communications, administration, finance, facilities management, human resources, brain health, chaplaincy, life enrichment, home care, philanthropy and community engagement.
The program is also helping create a pipeline of future employees for Goodwin Living. To date, 20 interns have been hired as team members at Goodwin Living, most notably in the dining services departments. For example, 50% of Arlington Tech High School culinary interns have become employees and 40% of interns participating through Goodwin Living’s partnership with Kitchen of Purpose have been hired.
“One of the best parts of our program is watching students find their confidence and discover exciting career paths they may not have considered,” said Catie Ramos, Team Member Engagement and Outreach Manager at Goodwin Living. “High school and college are a time to explore, and we want our interns to feel like they can ask questions, try something new and learn what interests them. At Goodwin Living, they’re a part of a team that values their ideas and supports their growth, while building relationships with residents and seeing the difference they can make in someone’s life.”
A hallmark of the program is its focus on mentorship and professional development. Each intern is paired with a resident mentor, which creates opportunities for meaningful intergenerational relationships and gives participants firsthand experience with the personal impact and fulfillment that can come from working with older adults.
Funded thanks to the generosity of donors to the Goodwin Living Foundation, the internship program offers four seasonal paid cohorts each year. By connecting students with practical experience, professional development and meaningful intergenerational relationships, Goodwin Living is helping ensure that the next generation sees aging services as both a growing field and a place to build a purposeful career.
To learn more about internships at Goodwin Living, visit: GoodwinLiving.org/careers/internships/
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About Goodwin Living™
Goodwin Living™ touches the lives of thousands of people every day through its range of senior living communities, specialized healthcare services, community partnerships and philanthropic endeavors. With a mission to support, honor and uplift the lives of others (specifically older adults and those who care for them), Goodwin Living leads the way in expanding the places and ways we can all thrive and find purpose as we age. Older adults will discover options that meet them where they want to be, and those options are managed and provided by team members who represent more than 70 countries. Goodwin Living was named a Washington Post Top Workplace for seven consecutive years (2019-2025) and is currently ranked #5 in the 2026 WTOP News list of Washington DC Top Workplaces among organizations with 1,000+ employees. In addition, Goodwin Living is recognized nationally as a 2026 Top Workplace by both Nurse.com and USA TODAY. Get more information at GoodwinLiving.org or by following Goodwin Living on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
