Staff photo / Bob Coupland Boyd’s Kinsman Home started in 1971 and on Sunday marked 54 years of providing services to special needs adults and honored Carlene Jones, who has been director of nursing for 50 years. Seated, from left, are residents Samuel Steele, Lorri Bodo and Peggy Paige. Back row, from left, are Sherry Rinck, administrator; Carlene Jones; and Shelly Ford, chief financial officer.

CORTLAND — For the past 50 years, Carlene (Boyd) Jones has dedicated her life to helping special needs adults as the director of nursing at Boyd’s Kinsman Home, which her parents started in 1971.

To celebrate Jones’ 50 years and the 54 years of Boyd’s Kinsman Home, a celebration took place Sunday at Garden Brook in Cortland, which was attended by more than 170 people.

Sherry Rinck, administrator for the past 15 years at Boyd’s Kinsman Home, said the facility has always been in Kinsman, with the Boyds’ vision to always put the residents’ needs first.

“We carry that vision out today. We put their needs first and put them at the center. We focus on the Boyds’ legacy of what they built and what their mission was,” Rinck said.

The residential care facility for special needs adults ages 18 and older has some of the original residents from 1971 still living there. Rinck said some were in their 20s and 30s in 1971 and now are in their 70s and 80s.

Jones said being at the Boyd’s Kinsman Home was her calling in life.

“She treats them like they are her own family and how anyone would want their own loved ones treated,” Rinck said.

She said the residents teach her just as much as she teaches them.

“It’s very rewarding to start your day with them. They have such positive attitudes, which is very contagious. We are there to help them with things they cannot do,” Rinck said.

Jones said Carl and Agnes Boyd built the facility for their son, Dale.

“I am so thankful to my parents that they had the vision to build Boyd’s Kinsman Home and to be able to serve residents. They started this based on love and it continues based on love. To me this is a calling. I am blessed every day. The residents call me mom,” Jones said.

She said she continues to support her parents’ vision of caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

There are 38 residents, of which 11 are original residents from when it opened in 1971. The residents range in age from their 30s to 90.

“It was founded on love and as a home allowing the residents to be independent as possible in a safe, loving environment,” Jones said.

Rinck said the philosophy has always been to provide a home-like atmosphere with love and personalized care.

Samuel Steele has been a resident for 54 years and said he likes the people and how the place is like a big home.

Lorri Bodo, who has been a resident since the 1990s, said she enjoys the many activities provided.

“It is like a big family,” she said.

Peggy Paige, who has been there since the 2000s, said she appreciates that people are there to help her when she needs assistance.