A Workforce Solution That Creates Purpose for Residents

On Election Day 2024, before the results were known, attendees at the Senior Living Innovation Forum gathered for a screening of The Test, an award-winning documentary chronicling Goodwin Living team member Eric Frimpong’s journey to U.S. citizenship. The film captured not only Eric’s deep sacrifices but also the transformative relationship he built with Goodwin House residents Jill and Carl Miller, who tutored him for his citizenship exam.

Moments after the film ended, Robert Liebreich, President and CEO of Goodwin Living, took the stage. His message was clear: what Goodwin Living is doing isn’t just an innovative workforce solution—it’s a model for how senior living can create deeper human connections, purpose, and community impact.

The Power of Generational Sacrifice

Liebreich started with a simple question: “How many of you are here because of generational sacrifice?”

The answer was universal. Whether by choice or by force, all of us have an ancestor who made difficult choices in pursuit of a better future. It’s the same story Eric and his family have lived—and it’s a story that connects us all.

Eric, after eight years of separation from his wife and children in Ghana, finally reunited with his family. His wife Sandra now works at Goodwin Living, and their children are U.S. citizens. The impact? Beyond just changing their lives, Goodwin Living is fostering a culture where employees feel seen, valued, and deeply connected to the residents they serve.

A Workforce Solution Rooted in Community

Goodwin Living didn’t start this initiative with workforce retention in mind. It began in 2018 when a resident, Rita Siebenhaler, noticed that many team members wanted to become U.S. citizens but couldn’t afford the costs. Within two weeks, $40,000 was raised to support their citizenship journeys. Today, that initiative has helped 200 Goodwin Living team members become citizens, with more than a million dollars raised to continue the work.

This is not just philanthropy—it’s a real, measurable workforce solution. Employees who go through Goodwin Living’s citizenship program stay with the organization at least one year longer than average. The organization’s overall turnover rate is 27%—significantly lower than the industry norm. Employees stay because they’re part of something bigger than just a job.

The Deep Connection Between Residents and Team Members

One of the most profound aspects of this initiative is the way it fosters deep relationships between residents and team members. Residents don’t just donate money—they tutor employees, celebrate their milestones, and in many ways, become extended family. It’s a human-centered model that addresses workforce shortages while giving residents a renewed sense of purpose.

At a time when the senior living industry is grappling with how to attract and retain talent, Goodwin Living is proving that true innovation isn’t always about technology. Sometimes, it’s about creating a culture of care, connection, and opportunity.

The Bigger Picture: A Nationwide Workforce Challenge

The U.S. senior population is growing at an unprecedented rate—12,000 people turn 65 every day. Meanwhile, birth rates are declining, and healthcare staffing shortages are worsening. As Liebreich pointed out, we can’t rely solely on increasing birth rates to solve the workforce crisis. The answer lies in being an intentional place of welcome for immigrants who want to build a life in this country.

Many countries are aggressively competing for healthcare workers—Germany, for example, is investing billions to recruit nurses from the Philippines. If the U.S. wants to remain competitive in attracting and retaining healthcare talent, senior living organizations need to step up. Goodwin Living’s citizenship initiative is a blueprint for how to do it successfully.

Sharing the Playbook

Goodwin Living isn’t keeping this model to itself. They’ve made their playbook available for any organization interested in launching a similar program. They also host annual citizenship celebrations, bringing together residents, employees, and local political leaders to highlight the impact of their work.

And if you want to bring The Test to your community, you can. Visit testdocumentary.com to explore how this powerful film can inspire change in your own organization.

Elevating the Stories That Matter

One of the biggest lessons from this initiative? Senior living providers have incredible stories to tell—stories of resilience, human connection, and life-changing impact. Goodwin Living’s citizenship program started with a single resident’s idea. Today, it’s transforming lives and proving that true innovation in senior living isn’t always about the latest tech—it’s about creating a place where people, at every stage of life, feel valued, supported, and empowered.

This is what the future of senior living should look like. Not just a solution to staffing challenges, but a model for how senior living can be a force for good.

Watch the trailer for 'The Test' below…