Page 9 - The Clare Connection_Fall 2018 Flipbook

FALL 2018 9

This experience has been
bolstered by the array of
new opportunities and
activities available. Within
his first year of living at The
Clare, Steve was elected
to the board of The Clare
Charitable Foundation, a
resident-run organization
aimed at supporting,
recognizing and rewarding
employees at The Clare
for their hard work and
commitment. He also joined
the Gold Coast Encore
Chorale, a singing group for
older adults that rehearses
at The Clare.
“That’s the nice thing about
being here,” Steve says.
“You want to try something
different? Do it! Go for it!”

Steve with his parents at his graduation from Ohio Northern University That’s not to mention the
strong friendships both
Moving to The Clare is how many residents here have not Steve and Jack have formed
Several years into retirement, in 2017, only gay relatives, but gay friends,” since they moved in.
Steve and Jack believed it was time to Steve says. “That has been a wonderful “When they talk about retirement
leave behind their 4-story, 150-year- community, we didn’t know exactly
old townhouse in D.C., yet they were experience, how we are accepted here what that meant,” Steve says. “It’s
hesitant to make it a as a couple.” actually almost like a new family.”
two-step process of
downsizing and then
moving to a retirement
community later. But
they were concerned
about making such
a move after reading
various articles about
retirement homes
discriminating against
the LGBTQ community.
So the couple was
careful throughout their
search for senior living.
When they came across
The Clare, they could tell
it would be a different
experience from what
they had read about.
“An interesting thing
we discovered then and
since we’ve been here
Steve and his husband, Jack Jennings