Dear Friend of Kerr,
What a night! On Friday, our community gathered for Together for Albertina Kerr presented by The Standard and raised over $375,000 for Kerr’s mission. Thank you to everyone who joined us, to our sponsors and donors for their generosity, and to the volunteers and staff who made the evening possible. One of the evening’s highlights was hearing from Charisann, who lives in a Kerr group home and participates in our Beaverton Inclusive Day Services program. You can watch her story here.
The gala capped a full September at Kerr. This month is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a reminder of how important it is to talk openly about mental health and know where to turn for support. At Kerr, we see how much it matters for youth and families to find care that understands the whole person. 
That’s one reason I’m pleased to welcome Jacque Serrano, LCSW, CADC I, as Kerr’s Director of Outpatient Therapy. Jacque brings more than a decade of behavioral health experience and will lead the expansion of outpatient services for youth and families, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health challenges.
We’re honored to once again be among the beneficiaries of the annual B.U.L.L. (Business, Union, and Labor Leaders) Session Invitational Charity Events gala and golf tournament. This event unites leaders across industries to support children’s charities, including Kerr’s Crisis Psychiatric Care for Youth (Subacute) program. We’re grateful for their continued partnership and generosity.
This month, I was invited to present at the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (INARF) Annual Conference, where I shared what we’re learning through Kerr’s work with youth who have co-occurring developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. When services operate separately, families can struggle to find the right support. I valued the chance to discuss approaches that bring care together around each person.
I also joined advocates at ANCOR’s Policy Summit & Hill Day in Washington, D.C. With Medicaid-funded services facing significant challenges, it was a critical time to advocate for the community supports that help people live the lives they choose.
During Direct Support Staff Appreciation Week, we recognized Kerr staff who support individuals at home, at work, in the community, and during mental health crises. Their commitment to listening, building trust, and supporting each person’s choices is invaluable.
Two of those team members, Marcie Lowe and Alejandra Nash, will receive the Oregon Resource Association (ORA) Works of Heart Award at the Northwest Conference on Disability Services in October. The award recognizes direct support staff who build strong relationships and open up opportunities for the people they support.
Marcie, a Program Manager for two of our Washington County group homes, builds teams that know each person well and support the life they choose. Alejandra, a Community Support Specialist at our Oatfield Inclusive Day Services program, collaborates with community partners to create volunteer roles that reflect each person’s abilities and interests. Congratulations, Marcie and Alejandra!
Thank you for being part of this work and for the many ways you support people as they build the lives they choose.
Warmly,
Allison
CEO, Albertina Kerr
**PHOTOS:** Cover photo: A few moments from a memorable Together for Albertina Kerr gala
**Collage:** First row: (Right to Left) Kerr’s Inclusive Day Services program at Seaside, Oregon; Kerr CEO Allison Stark (third from left) with Oregon Congresswoman Sarah McBride (fourth from left) and ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill (seventh from left) at ANCOR’s Policy Summit & Hill Day
Second row: Kerr Director of Outpatient Therapy Jacque Serrano; Kerr CEO Allison Stark at the INARF Conference
Third row: The Oregon State Fair brought plenty of fun; Kerr’s Inclusive Day Services participants volunteered at the Oregon Food Bank
Fourth row: Advocacy in action at ANCOR’s Policy Summit & Hill Day