Ben Apt and Steve Brent



As shared by Ben Apt. Featured right to left in photo with Steve Brent.

I was looking to do something meaningful when I moved to D.C. after law school. A friend connected me with Jubilee about volunteer opportunities. It was a natural fit for me. My first job out of college was at a group home for men with developmental disabilities, and I’d stayed active in the community, volunteering with the Massachusetts Human Rights Board.

Jubilee told me they might have a good opportunity for me to connect with someone who shared my love of the outdoors. That’s how I met Steve. I liked that they worked to make a match they thought would last. And they were right.

Steve and I have been in each other’s lives for more than a decade now. Our friendship grew naturally as we went on bike rides, to the county fair, and bowling. The D.C. auto show and horse show are annual highlights for us.

At this point, our families know each other, and Steve’s parents and siblings are so welcoming to me and my wife. When I first met Steve’s parents, they said to me, ‘you seem like a person who is going to stick.’ And I guess I’ve stuck.

The most moving part of our relationship for me is the long phone calls we have. Especially during the pandemic, they were a lifeline. We talk about everything. Worries, achievements, and everything in between. It’s been a real joy seeing Steve grow and mature in his personal and professional relationships over the years.

It’s my privilege to be his friend.