Chesney-Kleinjohn
Housing, Inc.
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Like many other meaningful project, Chesney-Kleinjohn Housing, Inc. began with a dream. When Keith Chesney's partner, Ray Kleinjohn was diagnosed with AIDS, Keith was able to care for him in their home until Ray's death in November 1991. Keith realized that not all AIDS patients had the resources that they had and, thus, began his dream and concern for housing for people with AIDS. Keith had spent his life working with various disadvantaged groups, particularly the homeless in California and Colorado. Providing housing opportunities for people with AIDS, Keith believed, was a logical extension of his life's work, as well as one of deep personal concern. Unfortunately, Keith died in September 1993 before his dream could be realized. He did, however, leave his and Ray's entire estate to be used as seed money for this worthwhile project. Chesney-Kleinjohn Housing, Inc. was founded to be the stewards of Keith's and Ray's hope of affordable independent housing for people with HIV/AIDS. Since incorporating in April of 1994, we've established a Board of Directors comprised of concerned community volunteers and obtained our 501(c)(3) (non-profit status) ruling from the IRS. In 1993, the Rev. Keith Chesney, a member of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Rockies (MCC) began a collaboration with The Uptown Partnership, a non-profit community development corporation, to explore affordable housing developments for persons with HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, Keith died of AIDS in September 1993 before his dream could be realized. Keith and his partner Ray Kleinjohn, who died of AIDS in 1991, left their estates to MCC to establish housing for persons with HIV/AIDS. In April of 1994, MCC established a separate non-profit corporation, Chesney-Kleinjohn Housing, Inc. to oversee this exciting adventure with the Rev. Frank Beard as its President. Other original Board of Directors members were: Priscilla Linsley, Karen Klein, David Sorey, Mark Krug, Barry Glass and Brent Rose, who later became the project's Executive Director. On September 17, 1995 ground was broken at 10th and Washington for the Chesney-Kleinjohn Apartments. Construction began on November 1, 1995 by Saunders Construction Company with the architectural design by Barker, Rinker, Seatcat & Partners with the legal advise of Moye, Giles & O'Keefe Law Firm. |
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