Dear Friend of Kerr,
July is a meaningful month at Albertina Kerr. It marks the start of a new fiscal year, the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Disability Pride Month—a time to celebrate the strength, diversity, and contributions of people with disabilities. These milestones remind us why Kerr’s mission matters and how it impacts the lives we touch.
From Intern to Job Coach
A recent graduate of our Salem Project SEARCH program landed his dream job as a Job Coach. After building workplace skills through internship rotations and preparing for job interviews with his Employment Consultant, he now supports others on their employment journeys—just as he was once supported.
Lived Experience Leads the Way
We’re excited to welcome Debbie Morris as Kerr’s new Peer Support Advocate. Drawing from her own experiences with disability services and grassroots advocacy, Debbie will help ensure the voices of those we support are represented across the organization. Read more about Debbie here.
A National Voice for DSPs
We’re excited to share that Shiloh Almaguer, a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at one of our group homes, has been selected for ANCOR’s DSP Ambassador Program! With 28 years at Kerr, Shiloh brings valuable experience and deep insight to this role and will be representing DSPs on a national level, including Policy Hill Day in Washington, D.C.
Inclusive Day Services: Growth and Gratitude
Our Washington County Inclusive Day Services site recently celebrated its first anniversary! We are also thrilled to be adding a bilingual Community Support Specialist to better support our diverse communities, thanks to a recent grant from the Kuni Foundation.
Innovation in Action: Kerr Leads SACU Pilot
Kerr has been selected to lead Oregon’s Stabilization and Crisis Units (SACU) Pilot Program, which offers one-on-one skill-building to individuals in therapeutic settings for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who require intensive support. Already, over 11 participants are building skills, volunteering, and gaining confidence to move forward in the community.
Reunited Through Compassionate Care
Two sisters supported by Kerr were recently reunited after being apart for months. Following one sister’s transition from a state-operated SACU, staff worked closely to preserve their bond and coordinate the next steps. Now, they’re living together again—reconnecting, playing, and staying in touch with a third sibling through virtual visits.
Strategic Progress: FY23–25 Plan Complete
On June 30, we closed out our FY23–25 Strategic Plan with significant progress across all six strategic pillars: reputation, services, workforce, excellence, DEIBA, and stability. Highlights include full CQL accreditation, stronger financial systems, and new internal communication tools—thanks to the dedication of staff across the organization
Support in Action
A generous gift from the Wheeler Foundation funded new water heaters at Subacute, while the Salem Foundation is providing helpful financial support to our Supported Employment Services, expanding access to meaningful work.
Join Us: Together for Albertina Kerr
Our annual Together for Albertina Kerr gala is coming up on September 26, and we’d love to see you there. Register today to join us in person or online for a meaningful gathering that ignites change and transforms lives. Interested in volunteering? Please reach out to [email protected]
Thank you for being part of this journey. Because of you, people with I/DD and mental health challenges are building lives filled with dignity, connection, and possibility.
Warmly,
Allison Stark
CEO, Albertina Kerr
**PHOTOS:** (Cover) Individuals supported in a Marion County group home enjoy a day at the park. **Collage:** – **Top row, left to right:** – Debbie Morris presenting at a Kerr Residential Services retreat. – An Inclusive Day Services participant enjoying an art class. – A youth supported in a Kerr group home hiking a local trail. – **Bottom row, left to right:** – An adult in a Kerr group home enjoying the Marion County Fair. – Participants in Kerr’s Inclusive Day Services learning new skills during a cooking class. – Participants in our Upskills program learning how to navigate Portland’s MAX light rail system.