The Mortensen House Project: Honoring a Legacy, Building a Future

Twenty years ago, Michael Mortensen’s life—and his family’s—changed in an instant. After months of illness and unanswered questions, doctors discovered an abscess pressing on his spine. Surgery saved his life, but it also left him unable to walk.

Michael met this reality with resilience, humor, and love for his family. He never complained, even in the hardest moments. His sister Lois recalls long days spent with him in the hospital, distracting each other with Trivial Pursuit questions and sharing meals that tasted far better than hospital food.

Through it all, Michael dreamed not only of his own recovery but of how he could make life easier for others. He once expressed his wish that his home might someday be used to support people living with spinal cord injuries or diseases—giving them a place of safety, connection, and independence.

Today, that dream is becoming a reality.

What Is the Mortensen House Project?

The Mortensen House, located in Beaverton, Oregon, is the state’s first transitional housing program dedicated to individuals recovering from spinal cord injuries. It fills a critical gap: too often, rehab centers cannot accept patients—or must delay discharge—because there is no accessible home for them to return to.

Without rehab and stable housing, people face greater risks of secondary health issues, isolation, and delayed recovery. Mortensen House directly addresses this by offering a safe, accessible space where individuals and families can:

Complete home modifications before returning.
Finalize housing arrangements.
Explore independent living options like QUAD Inc.
Connect with OSCI’s Community Health Workers for ongoing support.

Honoring Michael’s Wish

This project is only possible because of Michael’s vision and the generosity of his sister Lois, who chose to honor his legacy by opening his home to others. Mortensen House is more than a building—it’s a gift of independence, dignity, and hope.

“Life changes literally in an instant… Look for the good. It is there, even if you have to create it yourself.” – Lois

Our Vision for the Next 1–3 Years

While Mortensen House will open its doors with core accessibility in place, our vision extends further:

A dedicated therapy space for continued rehabilitation.
A second large bedroom with an accessible bathroom to serve more residents.
A wheelchair-friendly backyard for recreation, social connection, and healing.

How You Can Help

We invite you to join us in bringing this vision to life. Your support ensures that no one is denied rehab or delayed in recovery because of housing.

Here’s how you can make an impact:

Start-up sponsorships to cover immediate launch costs.
Recurring/Annual donations to sustain the program long-term.
In-kind contributions such as adaptive equipment, furnishings, therapy tools, or landscaping support.

Every contribution goes directly to OSCI to support Mortensen House operations, programming, and resident care.

Together, We Can Build Independence

Mortensen House is more than a house. It’s Michael’s wish fulfilled. It’s Lois’s generosity made real. And with your help, it will become a model for transitional housing that transforms lives across Oregon.

👉 Donate today and be part of the legacy.

Be Part of the Legacy

Your generosity makes the Mortensen House Project possible. To recognize our supporters, we’ve created giving tiers that highlight the impact of your contribution and connect your name with Michael’s vision.

🌟 Founding Sponsor – $25,000+

Recognition as a Founding Sponsor on Mortensen House donor wall and OSCI’s website.
Invitation to exclusive OSCI leadership roundtables and Mortensen House milestone events.
Featured acknowledgment in OSCI’s annual report and campaign communications.

💙 Legacy Partner – $10,000–$24,999

Recognition as a Legacy Partner on the donor wall and OSCI’s website.
Special highlight in Mortensen House newsletters and campaign updates.
Invitation to annual sponsor appreciation event.

🏠 Community Builder – $5,000–$9,999

Recognition as a Community Builder on the donor wall and website.
Mention in OSCI’s annual report.
Invitation to Mortensen House Open House event.

🌱 Independence Advocate – $1,000–$4,999

Recognition as an Independence Advocate on OSCI’s website.
Certificate of appreciation and updates on the project’s impact.

🙌 Friend of Mortensen House – up to $999

Recognition as a Friend of Mortensen House in digital campaign listings.
Subscription to OSCI’s project updates and stories from residents.

Mortensen House

Transitional Housing for Oregonians with Spinal Cord Injuries