Wind Crest Hosts 2nd Annual Pride Parade

This June, nearly 100 residents, staff and other members of the Wind Crest community in Highlands Ranch, Colorado participated in a parade to celebrate Pride Month. This was the second consecutive year that the senior living community, developed and managed by Baltimore-based Erickson Senior Living, held its own Pride Parade.

“Hosting the Pride Parade again this year was an important way for us to support our resident and employee Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging committees, which add tremendous value to the way we all live, work and interact here at Wind Crest,” said Brian Chaput, Director of Human Resources. “The goal of the parade was to support and honor the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals have in our community, acknowledge their history and celebrate their diversity.”

The event kicked off at Wind Crest’s amphitheater, one of many on-campus amenities. Executive Director Craig Erickson welcomed parade-goers, highlighting the Erickson Senior Living value of diversity along with the parade history, before introducing the Grand Marshall, Wind Crest resident Jim Genasci. Mr. Genasci and his late wife Jeanie were the original founders of the community’s resident Diversity & Inclusion Council and has not missed participating in a Pride Parade for decades. The parade route wound through all three of Wind Crest’s independent living neighborhoods along with continuing care neighborhood, Mill Vista Lodge.

With colorful outfits and accessories, five vibrantly decorated golf carts and an overarching sense of joy and belonging, the parade successfully brought the Wind Crest community together in celebration of diversity.

If you are interested in learning more about retirement living in a welcoming, inclusive community, request more information about Wind Crest today.