Kerr History
Since our founding in 1907, Albertina Kerr has been reaching out to, protecting, and caring for those who need us most. Over the decades, our services have evolved to meet the community’s needs. While these needs have changed, the values of our expert caregivers remain constant: compassion, partnership, advocacy, accountability, and innovation.
Today, Kerr empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and mental health challenges to lead self-determined lives in their communities. We provide crisis psychiatric mental health care for youth and residential care and programs for individuals with I/DD.
Kerr History
William MacLaren founded the Portland Commons Mission for Homeless Men and Returning Prisoners, the name was later changed to the Pacific Coast Rescue and Protective Society. In 1908, the Portland Commons bought the Louise Home to serve women and children, beginning the shift toward providing care for mothers and babies.
Alexander Kerr married Albertina Sechtem in 1910. She was a strong advocate for helping the city’s many homeless children.
In 1940, the Louise Home and the Albertina Kerr Nursery Home incorporated under the name Albertina Kerr Homes.
With fundraising help from the community, Kerr built cottages on the campus to offer safe, residential treatment to young children.
The nursery building re-opened in 1981 as Albertina’s Place run by The Old Kerr Nursery Association. The volunteer-run businesses included a restaurant and shops; the net proceeds and tips were donated to Kerr.
In 1997, with $3.2 million raised from community donations, Kerr constructs a new building and begins operating a Crisis Psychiatric Care program for children in danger of harming themselves or others, as well as a residential intensive treatment program.
In 2006, Kerr takes responsibility of 40 children with I/DD and mental health needs who were living in group homes formerly operated by Straight Ahead Shelter.
In 2009, Kerr Bikes becomes a new social enterprise of Kerr, offering an employment opportunity for people in Kerr’s I/DD programs.
Kerr adds new community inclusion programs for adults with I/DD, including Portland Art and Learning Studios (PALS).
Kerr launches Adaptive BIKETOWN in 2017 at Kerr Bikes in partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Nike, and Different Spokes; the nation’s first project of its kind providing adaptive bike access in cooperation with local government, a bike share program, and private bike shop.