Hello, Friends of Kerr,
As fall approaches and the crisp air sets in, the lively buzz of school activities with my kids and memorable events with friends and colleagues have energized my days. Amidst these moments, I’m reminded of the broader community we serve and the collective passion we all hold for community betterment. It’s an immense honor to lead a nonprofit that stands as a steadfast pillar of support for so many.
Here’s the latest from around Albertina Kerr:
Kerr Board of Directors: Bikes Before Business
Who says Board meetings can’t be fun? Before our quarterly Board meeting, the Albertina Kerr Board of Directors sampled a diverse selection of surreys, bikes, and adaptive bikes from Kerr Bikes & Boats, our social enterprise. Kerr Bikes & Boats rents all of these cycles to the community, and net proceeds benefit Kerr. Laughter and team bonding filled our evening, and our Board learned all about Adaptive BIKETOWN, our partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation and Nike. (Photo: Top right – Board member Mary Lago)
Kerr’s Vision for The Future: 2023-2026
We are embarking on a bold journey as we unveil our Strategic Plan for July 2023 to June 2026. This visionary roadmap charts a course toward growth, innovation, inclusivity, and community engagement. Discover how we plan to continue our commitment to those we serve. Read our Strategic Plan.
DSPs: Cheers to Kerr’s Superstars
This month, we celebrated Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week. These heroes are the lifeblood of Kerr, tirelessly working to empower and support our community. Along with the entire Senior Leadership Team, I had the joy of handing out donuts to these shining stars while visiting our residential homes—massive kudos to our 300+ DSPs at Kerr, who champion our mission every day. (Photo: Bottom left – DSPs with their box of donuts; “We DONUT Know What We Would Do Without You”)
Project SEARCH: Newest Internship Cohort
September 6, our newest cohort of Project SEARCH interns put pen to paper, officially signing up for a 9-month internship with Multnomah County’s Division of County Services. This nationally acclaimed internship program provides vocational training for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The future is bright for these talented individuals, and we’re thrilled to welcome them aboard! (Photo: Top left – our new cohort of Project SEARCH interns)
B.U.L.L. Session: A Celebration of Unity & Generosity
A heartfelt thank you to the B.U.L.L. Session Invitational Charity Events for the captivating gala and golf tournament, September 17-18. Business, Union, and Labor Leaders (B.U.L.L.) come together with a shared vision: to transform the lives of children under the care of six local nonprofits, including Kerr’s Crisis Psychiatric Care facility. We sincerely appreciate their steadfast support. (Photo: Bottom right – from L to R – Scott Shlaes, Kerr Chief Development Officer, Elisa Turover, Kerr Director of Community and Client Engagement, me, Kevin McAdams, Kerr Chief Financial Officer, and Owen Gibson, Kerr Chief Quality Assurance Officer)
Inclusive Leadership Summit: Empowering Oregon’s Advocacy
On September 19, I participated in the Inclusive Leadership Summit, an event uniting Oregon’s self-advocates, family members, professionals, and state leaders to drive change. The day featured engaging presentations and discussions on self-advocacy, health equity, mental health advocacy, and affordable housing access, all aiming to advance these crucial causes in Oregon and prioritize the voices of self-advocates across Oregon. (Photo: Center – myself with Kari Seals, Director of Enrichment Services at Kerr, and Eli Tombs, Kerr Enrichment Specialist)
Housing Oregon: Exploring Kerr’s Visionary Project
September 26, I will be a panelist and presenter at the Housing Oregon Annual Conference, sharing the impact of Kerr’s universally accessible, affordable, and sustainable housing project, Wynne Watts Commons. Housing Oregon ensures all Oregonians have a healthy and stable place to live. This incredible organization advocates for programs and policies to expand affordable housing on the local and state levels.
Join Me! PBJ’s October Power Breakfast
I look forward to representing Kerr on the nonprofit panel at the Portland Business Journal’s Power Breakfast on October 12. Join us as we discuss the social impact landscape and the future of community engagement. Hope to see you there! For tickets, click here.
Thank you for your steadfast support! Together, let’s propel Kerr’s mission forward, driven by our commitment to fostering more inclusive communities.
Sincerely,
Allison Stark
CEO, Albertina Kerr