My professional and volunteer commitments connect housing justice, family reunification, community access, and the human-animal bond.
Tenants Union of Washington State
I serve as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, beginning in October 2024, and participate in the Executive Leadership Transition Team, beginning in June 2025. This volunteer leadership complements my work in housing stability and program accountability.
The Tenants Union’s public board profile identifies my treasurer role.
Covenant Creatures | February 2022–present
As a Street Services Outreach Volunteer in Olympia, I support a no-cost veterinary services program serving houseless, low-income, and street-dependent pet owners.
My contributions include service coordination, community referrals, housing-related assistance animal documentation, and grant writing for outreach, service-trailer repairs, and veterinary financial assistance. This work recognizes the importance of companion animals in people’s lives and the barriers poverty can create to care.
Reunification Day planning | 2022–present
I participate in Reunification Day event planning in Thurston and Lewis Counties. This work supports community recognition of families and the people who help make reunification possible.
Housing operations and program development
In my current housing leadership role, I collaborate on grant applications, program monitoring, community partnerships, and affordable housing compliance. I also work with agency teams on rehabilitation planning for subsidized apartment infrastructure.
These efforts connect service delivery with the operational foundations needed to sustain affordable housing and support programs.
Teaching and mentoring
My professional contributions include University of Washington field instruction, undergraduate teaching at Saint Martin’s University, and current support for MSW internships. I value helping new social workers develop thoughtful, practical approaches to complex systems.
Legislative Advocacy & Public Policy
My public policy work connects direct social work practice, housing program leadership, and community advocacy. I bring experience supporting families through housing instability and child welfare systems to conversations about the policies that shape access, safety, and long-term stability. My approach emphasizes practical barriers, the realities of service delivery, and the perspectives of people affected by public systems.
Rent stabilization | HB 1217 | 2025
During Washington’s 2025 legislative session, I testified in support of HB 1217, the rent stabilization bill. The public meeting record lists Kerrie Blackburn among those testifying in support before the Senate Ways & Means Committee on April 4, 2025.
The legislation addressed housing stability through limits on rent and fee increases and related tenant protections. It was signed into law on May 7, 2025. My participation reflects my commitment to housing stability and to bringing frontline social work experience into public policy discussions.
View the HB 1217 public testimony listing · View the official legislative history.
Child welfare and family safety | HB 1808 | 2023–2024
During the 2023–2024 Washington legislative session, I testified in support of HB 1808, concerning parentage and sexual assault, as a contracted social worker. This involvement reflects the connection between my child welfare practice and public policy.
The public HB 1808 meeting record lists Kerrie Blackburn — Contracted Social Worker among those testifying in support before the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee.
Public professional references
My LinkedIn profile provides an additional overview of my experience and volunteer service. Public City of Tumwater materials also identify my housing-program supervisory and reporting responsibilities.
