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

Help Launch Mortensen House

A new model for accessible transitional housing for individuals recovering from spinal cord injuries.

We are working to close the funding gap needed to stabilize Year 1 of this pilot program.

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 deep love for his family. He never complained, even in the hardest moments. His sister Lois remembers long days together in the hospital—passing time with Trivial Pursuit questions and sharing meals that somehow tasted better simply because they were together.

Through it all, Michael thought not only about his own recovery—but about how life could be easier for others facing similar challenges.

He once shared a simple wish:
That his home could one day be used to support people living with spinal cord injuries.

Today, that wish 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 in the system.

Too often, individuals are discharged from hospitals without a safe, accessible place to go. In some cases, rehabilitation is delayed—or not possible at all—because appropriate housing is not available.

Without that bridge, people face:

Increased risk of secondary health complications
Delayed recovery
Isolation
Loss of independence

Mortensen House provides a different path forward.

Residents and their families will have a place where they can:

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

Closing the Final Gap

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.

Now, we are at a critical moment.

We are working to close the final $30,000 needed to stabilize Year 1 of this pilot program.

Your support directly funds:

Resident transition coordination
Accessibility and safety systems
Program infrastructure and support services

This is what makes it possible for someone to move from hospital to home—with dignity, stability, and support.

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 Underwriter – $5,000

Funds on 90-day resident transition

💙 Systems Builder – $2,500

Supports accessibility and safety systems

🏠 Transition Partner – $1,000

Supports care coordination and stabilization

🙌 Friend of Mortensen House – Any Amount

Every contribution helps move this model forward.

Looking Ahead

Mortensen House is just the beginning.

Our vision over the next several years includes expanding the model to serve more residents and continuing to build out supportive features—like a dedicated therapy space, additional accessible living areas, and outdoor spaces designed for connection and healing.

More importantly, this pilot is designed to become a model that can be replicated—ensuring more individuals across Oregon have access to safe, accessible transitional housing when they need it most.

Together, We Can Build Independence

Mortensen House is more than a house.

It is Michael’s wish fulfilled.
It is Lois’s generosity made real.
And it is a new path forward for individuals rebuilding their lives after spinal cord injury.

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

Your support helps create that good—for someone else.