Celebrating 30 years, the Kinsmen Community Residence has given area adults with developmental challenges the opportunity to live a full and productive life with the independence and dignity they deserve. Funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, and sponsored locally by the Kinsmen Club of Cornwall, the residence consists of seven units within a townhouse complex in the City’s east end—six of which are used as living accommodations and one for administration purposes and communal gatherings. The residents at Kinsmen learn about budgeting, nutrition, safety and sexuality, among other skills they need to live as independently as possible, explains Tim Hawn, one of the counsellors there. Socially, they benefit from each other’s companionship with group outings, events and get-togethers. Some are able to work or volunteer in the community. “We have fun and work together. They have choices here,” says Hawn. “This is not a dictatorship.” The clients are welcome to stay as long as they want, says Barbara Jackson, manager at Kinsmen, where those who reach a higher level of independence can choose to move on. Even if they decide to stay, she says, “we call this a success.”