By Devin Harrington, Communication Specialist In just under three months, we will officially celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On one hand, it’s hard to believe that 25 years has already passed since the July 26, 1990 signing into law of the ADA. On the...
Part I By Deb Krug, Direct Support Professional Passionate and creative are the two words that best describe me. I have found that these characteristics serve me well in my work at Hammer. Three years ago, I began working for Hammer as a Direct Support Professional at Lake Place. I was looking for...
By Kim Gharrity, Hammer Donor and Volunteer Monty Python comedian and actor Michael Palin recently quipped: “Once the travel bug bites, there’s no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.” I’m pretty sure Hammer Travel volunteer Sandy Hongerholt has...
By Jennifer Larson, Graphic Designer I love a good story. I’m guessing you do too. It’s one thing I love about Hammer – their wealth of good stories. Hammer is all about people, and people make the best stories. I’m a graphic designer and communications consultant, and I started working with...
By Alex Gonzalez, Financial Consultant at Thrivent Financial The story that brings me to Hammer Residences is somewhat selfish. I connected with Hammer because my wife Simone and I have a son with high functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome. His name is Jake. I have sought out new connections,...
By Emily Robillard, Assistant Program Manager Say CHEESE!!! FLASH! Look up here!!!!! FLASH! WOOOO!!! FLASH!!! Loud, energetic, exciting – all words I would use to describe a Target photo shoot. My daughter Harlee (pictured above) has been modeling for Target since she was about nine months old....
By Jason Jenkins, Wayzata Community Editor of the Sun Sailor Hammer Residences reflects on advances, obstacles as it celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Hammer Residences has made a mission out of giving adults and children with developmental disabilities the opportunity to live...
By Cate Saracen Peters, Director of Training and Education It’s no coincidence that Hammer’s leadership has always supported providing our family members with an avenue to expand their knowledge and network of connections related to their loved ones. You see, it is deep in our roots as an...
By Kelly Bosch, Program Manager New York City. This had always been Karen’s dream, always. And, Karen’s plans for this dream were not small. They included all the fun touristy things do to, but at the top of the list was auditioning for the historic Apollo Theater. For ten years, Karen has been...
By Kris Miller, Self-Advocate My name is Kris. I have been supported by Hammer Residences for about 25 years. I would like to share some of my thoughts and experiences about bullying and why I hope everyone will stop using the R-word. I want you to know that no one should use the R-word. If you do...
By Lindsay Grome, Hammer Volunteer & Account Supervisor at Weber Shandwick Giving back. It’s one of those things we all hear we should be doing, and deep down many of us truly want to do. However, it can be hard to choose a cause. You have to ask yourself: 1) What do I care about? 2) What do I...
By Patience Zelee, Assistant Program Manager My name is Patience Zelee. I am a single parent of a six year old, and I have worked full-time as an Assistant Program Manager/Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Hammer Residences for seven years. I came to the U.S. from Liberia, West Africa, in 1998....
By Gerick Engle, Video Producer at EideCom I was first introduced to Hammer Residences in early 2014. At that time, I had been working part-time for EideCom assisting on video shoots and doing some filming. So, I was thrilled when I was offered me a full-time position as a Video Producer. The...
By Devin Harrington, Communication Specialist This past December, at the Department of Education, the Olmstead Implementation Office (OIO) held its bimonthly meeting. Subcabinet members and Dr. Darlene Zangara, Executive Director of the OIO, presented updates, the highlights of the bimonthly...
By Sue Oreck, Hammer family member My name is Sue Oreck, and I am the sister of Jeffrey Orenstein who lives at the McGlinch house in Plymouth. Whenever I go over to Jeff’s house, I see the wonderful staff that cares for the six individuals who call McGlinch home. I also see the amount of...
By Wendy Paulson, Human Resource Specialist Have you ever been told “you must be special” when you tell someone where you work? They say that because not everyone can work in human services. What is it that inspires us to choose a helping profession or nonprofit work – even if that means a modest...
Bill Bieber and his family have been generous Hammer family members since 1990. With compassion for those we serve and insight about family’s needs, Bill and his family established the Quality of Life Fund in 1993 as a financial resource for the men, women and children with developmental...
By Regan McGowan, Program Manager When I went to college, I started and ended with the same question – what do I want to do after school? I earned a degree in business, yet I hadn’t come up with an answer. Hammer has always been a part of my life. My mom has worked for this organization for over...
By Kim Gharrity, 10-Year Volunteer If a picture really is worth a thousand words, then Michael Moschogianis has gifted Hammer volumes-worth of text this past year with his wonderful photography. Retired from having his own portrait studio, Michael was looking for a way to make a creative...
By Sue Gregor, Past Hammer Board Member and Current Volunteer Sarah Casey, who lives at Sumac, is an awesome person. She is an upbeat, thoughtful and hardworking woman who always has a smile on her face. She also happens to be a very talented artist. I first got to know Sarah several years ago...
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