Day Program Coordinator

Goodwin Living is proud to be recognized as a Top Workplace in the greater Washington, D.C. region by The Washington Post every year since 2019 — and now nationally by USA Today. Since 2022, we’ve also been annually recognized as one of the top 100 employers for interns by the Top Virginia Employers for Intern Awards. These honors are based entirely on feedback from our team members, gathered through an annual third-party survey. Here’s what they say makes us stand out:

• Embracing Diversity: Our strength is in our diverse team from over 65 countries, fostering an inclusive and vibrant culture that values every voice. 
• Growth and Opportunities: We bolster personal and professional development, offering myriad opportunities, from on-the-job training to mentorship programs and financial support, to help you reach your full potential. 
• Valuing Our Team Members: By prioritizing team member satisfaction, we create a fulfilling work environment with competitive benefits, work-life balance, and recognition programs, ensuring our team feels appreciated and valued. 

The Day Program Coordinator supports the implementation of the Thrive Social Day Program. Thrive is a social model day program designed for individuals experiencing mild cognitive changes or early-stage dementia. This role facilitates activities and groups at Thrive and assists the Day Program Manager with planning and adapting engaging, brain-healthy activities. The coordinator also contributes to administrative, communication, and outreach efforts to help sustain and grow the program’s impact.

Pay rate: $25.00/hr-$27.75/hr

Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

• Co-lead and facilitate a variety of daily activities, including cognitive exercises, physical activities, arts and crafts, music, and social gatherings tailored to participants’ abilities and interests and following Goodwin Living’s 6 Dimensions of Wellness.
• Assist with preparing daily program materials (handouts, room setup, organization, etc.)
• Help maintain a calm, welcoming, and stimulating program environment for all participants by assisting with keeping the program space organized and inviting.
• Engage directly with participants, offering individualized support to promote engagement, emotional well-being, and enjoyment throughout each activity.
• Monitor participant responses and provide observations to the Program Manager to inform individualized care and activity planning.
• Build positive relationships with participants and their caregivers to foster trust and a welcoming environment.
• Assist with documentation and billing support tasks such as tracking attendance for invoicing, preparing documents for the Business office and timely documentation of participant observations and progress notes.
• Prepare monthly calendar visuals, contribute to the monthly newsletter, and help maintain a photo archive of participant engagement.
• Help coordinate participant assessments and intake or trial day appointments.
• Collaborate with the Brain Health Department to support events such as Memory Cafes and larger community-wide Brain Health initiatives.
• Organize and inventory program supplies, placing orders as needed under the guidance of the Program Manager.
• Assist in designing new activities, events, and opportunities for engagement.
• Provide scheduling and logistical support for larger day program events, caregiver events, and volunteer coordination.

• Must possess a bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy, creative arts therapy, or other relevant field OR 3 years of experience working with older adults with cognitive change.
• Must be comfortable leading group activities and engaging individuals in person-directed ways.
• Must be proficient with computers; including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Zoom.
• Must possess ability to deal tactfully and effectively with residents, staff, family members and the public.
• A minimum of 1-year experience working with older adults, including those with cognitive impairments and/or dementia.
• A minimum of 1-year experience in planning and implementing engaging daily activities tailored for individuals with cognitive impairments and/or dementia.

At Goodwin Living, we can all find work with purpose! As a nonprofit senior living and healthcare organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, we are driven by our mission: to support, honor and uplift the lives of older adults and those who care for them. Our commitment to our team members is written directly into that statement. We create an enriching and supportive work environment that has earned us Top Workplace recognition by The Washington Post since 2019 and, more recently, national recognition by USA Today. These honors reflect the culture our team members foster every day — one rooted in purpose, belonging, and growth.