Each of our Hammer & NER homes is unique because of the people who live and work there. The “Showcasing Our Homes” profiles celebrate our homes (and apartment programs), the people who live there, and the staff who support them. Let’s learn about the Rockford home in Plymouth!

The Rockford home is led by Program Manager Sara Husfeldt. Sara joined Hammer Residences after receiving her teaching degree. Her sister was working at Hammer at the time and encouraged her to apply. “Never did I think I would still be working at Rockford after 25 years,” Sara says. She has worked a total of 28 years for Hammer Residences. “I have been in every role at the house—starting as DSP.” Soon after, Sara became an Associate Program Manager (lead) and three years ago she became the Program Manager at Rockford.

Let’s meet the other staff at Rockford:

Jan

Jan Hopper – Jan has been at Rockford for over five years working part-time and picking up extra shifts when needed. Jan is the “Norm” (character from the Cheers television show) of the house. When Jan comes in for a shift, everyone gets up and yells “Jan!” Jan keeps the gals busy on Sundays and plans all kinds of outings, from the Arboretum to flower shows and sculpture gardens. “Jan brings in crafts and likes to bake goodies with them,” Sara says. “Oh, and she and the ladies all have a sweet tooth, so she’ll take them out for ice cream.”

Cindy

Cindy Anderson – Cindy has also been at Rockford for over five years and is the weekend staff. “The gals like playing bingo with Cindy on Friday nights,” Sara says. “She makes sure that they win prizes at Project Soar Bingo.” Cindy keeps the ladies busy by going out mall walking, catching movies at Cinema Grill, and taking trips to the dollar store and McDonald’s every now and then for ice cream.

Melissa

Melissa Kabeta – Melissa has been at Rockford for about a year. “Melissa is always smiling and is eager to answer all the questions the gals may ask (during nearly every shift) about her cat,” Sara says. Melissa likes to watch Wheel of Fortune each night with them and tries to guess the answers. “She is always willing to pick up extra shifts when needed and takes everyone out to all the activities that are planned on her shift,” Sara says. “Melissa cares about the ladies and is a great listener.”

Maidee

Maidee Bokari – Maidee has been the home’s new lead staff member for three months. “Maidee is getting to know the ladies and their routines while taking on the lead role at the house,” Sara says. “Maidee is the cleaner of the group. She is always vacuuming and keeps the house tidy on the days she works.” Maidee helps everyone get to church on Tuesday evenings and takes them mall walking for exercise on Thursdays.

Jayme

Jayme Johnson – Jayme is also a new staff member to the Rockford team and has been on staff for about two months. “Jayme is also getting to know the ladies and their routines,” Sara says. “She is great at jumping in to help when asked, and the ladies say she’s a good cook.” Jayme also gets everyone to all the activities that are planned on her shifts and likes to participate with them.

Now, let’s meet the ladies of Rockford!

Carla

Carla has worked at Davanni’s in Edina for over 20 years. She likes her work there and is proud of the responsibility she is given and has fun with her co-workers. “Carla loves to travel,” Sara says. “She is a Disney fan and has gone on many Hammer Travel Disney trips as well as other destinations.” In her spare time Carla loves crafts, especially diamond dots and adult coloring books. “She always has at least one project in the works,” Sara says. Carla has lived at Rockford since the home opened—about 25 years.

Stephanie

Stephanie also works at Davanni’s but at the Plymouth location where she has been an employee for over 25 years! “Her family is important to her, and she spends many weekends with her parents and two sisters,” Sara says. “Steph also likes to travel and is also a Disney fan. She has gone on Disney trips and last year enjoyed a trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, and the Hershey chocolate factory.” She likes to work on 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles in the winter and tends to her container garden on the deck in the summer. “When you meet Stephanie, she likes to tell everyone about her 300+ purse collection,” Sara says. Stephanie is also one of the original ladies of the Rockford home.

Cindy

Cindy likes to be on the go, go, go! She likes almost any kind of outing if she can go out and about, but her favorites are shopping at the dollar store and visiting the animals at the Humane Society. “Cindy enjoys spending time with her family and her friend, Holly, on weekends,” Sara says. “Another big Disney fan, Cindy has also made several trips to Florida to visit Disney World.” Cindy attends Choice, Inc. four days a week and likes the outings and volunteering at the food shelf. On her day off she runs errands with her dad and keeps busy with her laundry. Cindy is another original lady of Rockford.

Amy

Amy moved to Rockford five years ago. “She is also a Disney fan, so she fits right in!” Sara says. Amy likes to do puzzles, diamond art, games on her iPad, and to go shopping and to the movies. “Amy is a fan of almost any sport,” Sara says. “She participated in Special Olympics track, bowling, and softball. She also went to a Minnesota Wild game this year and really enjoyed it along with a Twins game, Saint Paul Saints game, and a Gopher hockey game.” Amy attends PRI two days a week as well as the PRI VIP program the other three weekdays where she works one day a week and then volunteers for the other two days.

Sara, what makes this program special?

Sara

Sara: I just love the ladies. They are such fun, caring people who have a big place in my heart. They truly are my second family. They’ve lived together for a long time and are good friends. They’re very compassionate and care about helping one another out. It’s amazing how well they get along. Since they all love anything Disney, they signed up for a Disney cruise next summer through Hammer Travel.

How are families involved?
Sara: All the ladies’ families are involved in their lives. Everyone at Rockford participates in the Special Olympics and Cindy and Steph’s parents help coach swimming. All the families attend the Christmas program at King’s Community, where the ladies attend weekly church services and enjoy participating in the program. We close the house every holiday because everyone goes home to be with their families.