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Fresno Silvercrest Service Coordinator Maria Garcia launched an internship program last fall at the Silvercrest Residence, pairing high school seniors with the senior housing community’s residents.
Fresno Silvercrest offers affordable housing to some 160 low-income seniors in Fresno, California. Garcia, a mother of two teenage boys, initiated partnerships with McLane High School and Fresno High School after learning about its internship program through her son, a senior at Fresno at the time. She reached out to the internship coordinators to set up partnerships.
Four interns began in October 2023, assisting in various roles—property maintenance, leasing, office work and service coordination. An intern from Fresno State University also joined the team. The interns worked 90 minutes a day, training with staff and engaging with residents during events. Garcia aimed to teach them workforce skills, focusing on verbal communication and customer service.
The overall goals, Garcia said, mimicked those she has for her own sons.
“I wanted them to be able to go out into the world and get a job and have an understanding of the workforce and what it takes to be successful,” she said.
Garcia emphasized soft skills, especially the importance of connecting with the residents.
“I taught the interns that if a resident is going to come and talk, you’re going to stop whatever you’re doing and give them your full attention,” she said. “I would remind them, ‘you are here because they are here.’”
The most heartwarming moments came because of the interactions the teens had with the senior residents, many of which took place around the holidays when there are lots of events.
“It brings so much joy. The residents see them as their grandkids.”
Maria Garcia, Fresno Silvercrest Service Coordinator
“The seniors just love the interns,” Garcia said. “Statistics and studies consistently show that when you bring kids around seniors, it really helps them.”
And at the Silvercrest, cornhole is a popular activity, she said, noting interns would support residents during the lively competitions.
“We have residents in power chairs who once they see young ones, they are standing up out of their chairs to come and play,” she said. “It brings so much joy. The residents see them as their grandkids.”
For Veteran’s Day, one of the interns interviewed the veterans in the building.
“He came back and said, ‘This was amazing. I didn’t know how it was for them.’ They learn history at school but when you hear it from someone who experienced it, it’s totally different,” she said.
When some interns struggled with graduation costs, Garcia sought sponsorship from local vendors to cover expenses for caps and gowns, surprising the students.
At the internship’s end, students completed final projects: organizing files, developing office systems and renovating units. The Silvercrest hired one intern, who recently left to attend college full time. Another intern who helped with property maintenance took a job at a plumbing company.
Garcia was honored as McLane’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Champion for 2023/2024 for her work instituting the internship program.
Silvercrest Resident Services Consultant Jo Stephanie Francisco praised Garcia’s dedication, noting the program’s positive impact.
“Maria highlights the interns’ strengths and helps them to overcome their weaknesses,” she said. “She encourages the interns to stretch themselves to grow and learn as much as they can to reach their highest potential. Having interns takes a lot of time and work to manage, but Maria gladly gives because she so strongly believes in our youth.”
This year, the program will expand with eight new interns. Along with doing a final project, Garcia plans to have interns create presentations on various topics to benefit the residents.
“I want them to identify a need and create a presentation and find proper information to give to residents,” she said.
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