Army of Angels

Albertina Kerr’s two arts-based community inclusion services, Art from the Heart and Port City programs, have shared many programmatic similarities but operated out of separate sites until our recent move to combine the two programs into The Portland Art and Learning Studios. Because both site leases ended June 30, 2018, we had the opportunity to take our services to the next level by consolidating the programs at a single site that also includes space to house employment services. 

Our vision for the new consolidated program has more than doubled our space to facilitate art making, creative expression, community inclusion activities, and professional development. Programming is built around personal goals, helping each individual to engage with community through arts-based programming, activities in the community, volunteer opportunities, and training for employment in integrated settings.

The Studios will serve 180 artists and enable our Employment Services staff to support 80 adults developing job skills, seeking employment, and maintaining independent success.

The Studios are now open on the edge of the Alberta Arts District, on NE MLK, Jr. Boulevard in Portland. The building will soon house a gallery, several studios supporting various mediums and office space for staff. We’ll be sharing updates on the progress of our transformation leading up to a Grand Opening Celebration. Stay tuned!

Mental health challenges affect the lives of 43.8 million adults in the United States every year. Further, 1 in 5 children suffers from the same issues. These are just the reported cases. Millions more may be battling symptoms alone. These statistics are why May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental health issues touch so many lives and yet, are so rarely talked about. Devoting a month to mental health awareness not only brings the topic into the spotlight but also lets people who are dealing with this issue know that they are not alone and gives them the tools to help themselves and others in need.

So, what can you do this month to help yourself navigate the complex issue of mental health?

Encourage people to support our organization and the important work we all do daily. Provide resources such as Albertina Kerr or refer them to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which  has created a webpage that lists helplines, treatment providers and organizations that offer comprehensive mental health services. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/tools-resources/individuals/index.htm

Join the cause: Mental health advocacy has gone viral. Recently, the hashtag campaigns #ThingsNotToSayToSomeoneWithMentalIllness and #ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutMentalIllness, started by mental health advocate and British journalist, Hattie Gladwell, have opened the floor up to teens and adults dealing with mental health issues. Twitter and Facebook users are openly discussing their disease and how they deal with the symptoms. Celebrities, doctors and other professionals are also weighing in.

If social media is not your preferred method of advocacy, you might consider taking to the streets with Mental Health America this October as part of their March for Dignity and Change in Mental Health.