Finding Home Around the Corner

Rich Alper & Bruce Clark

When Rich Alper and Bruce Clark joined the Mandell JCC just after COVID, they weren’t looking for anything complicated. They lived around the corner, and Rich was having second thoughts about driving 30 minutes each way to work out. The JCC was closer, easier—and, as it turned out, so much more than a gym.

“It’s a welcoming place,” Rich says. “A place I enjoy coming to on a regular basis.”

What made the decision feel especially natural was that the JCC was already a familiar presence in both of their lives. Bruce grew up visiting the JCC in Des Moines, Iowa, where he swam and spent time as a young person. Rich was a member of the JCC in Kansas City, using the fitness facilities—especially the squash courts—to stay active while building his career. Decades apart and in different cities, the JCC had already been part of each of their stories.

Now, together, in West Hartford, that connection has taken on new meaning.

What started as convenience quickly became community. For Rich, who comes most days for fitness and social connection, the JCC fills long stretches of time when Bruce is at dialysis three days a week. “I don’t really feel like sitting at home alone,” he explains. “Here, I can exercise, chat with people I see all the time, and feel comfortable. It’s a social thing.” And after two major surgeries over last few years, his doctors have commented on how much better his recovery has been due to his regular exercise routine at the JCC.

For Bruce, the impact is just as meaningful. Living with ongoing health challenges, he values having a place that supports both his physical well-being and his sense of belonging. “It’s such a friendly environment,” he says. “I come to walk, rest, and talk with people. I’ve had some really nice conversations just sitting in the fitness lobby.”

Together, Rich and Bruce have found joy in shared JCC experiences—especially the annual trip to Tanglewood, which they look forward to every year. “You buy your ticket, get on the bus, and have a great day,” Rich says. “It’s easy, and it’s fun.”

Beyond programs and fitness, the JCC represents something deeper: acceptance and ease. As a couple, Rich and Bruce feel fully at home here. “It’s completely open and affirming,” Rich shares. “I talk about my husband openly. No one bats an eye. That matters.”

The JCC has also become a second home in a very real way. “We don’t have a lot of family nearby,” Rich says. “For me, this is my home away from home.” Bruce adds: “It’s just a very friendly, good place to be part of your life.”

After surgeries, health challenges, retirement, and big life transitions, the Mandell JCC has remained a constant.

 “We enjoy coming here,” Rich says simply. “And we’re not going to stop.”