The events of this past year have been a vivid reminder of the challenge we face in our communities and in our country to ensure the dignity of every person. The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, and so many others are just a present-day reminder that we are still far short in achieving equal treatment for all members of our community, and black people and other people of color continue to bear the burden of systemic injustice and racism.
Albertina Kerr’s vision is that all people thrive in nurturing and inclusive communities. It’s a vision that we hope to see lived out in the broader society in which we live, and we must start by making sure our own culture helps this vision manifest. Kerr has served vulnerable Oregonians for over 114 years. While at times we have missed the mark in treating everyone with the compassion, dignity, and the respect they deserve, over all these years we have never stopped seeking to improve. We acknowledge, respect, and celebrate the differences and commonalities that make our community – inside of and around Kerr – dynamic and rich, and we support the practice of justice, liberation, and peace in engagements with one another.
We are committed to creating with our Kerr community and external partners a culture where each person feels seen, heard, and supported.