By Donny Gromek, Family Member and DJ It has been my greatest honor to bring music to the people at Hammer Residences throughout the years. In Hammer’s early years, I watched kids grow into teeny boppers, and then as they grew into adults. They are so excited to see me; their faces light up...
By Ken Harper, Program Director My journey to Hammer started over 29 years ago, when I moved to Minnesota from Louisiana with the plan of getting a job at Hazelden. My background is in chemical dependency treatment, and I thought I would continue on that path in Minnesota. When I first got to...
By Ann Martinka, Hammer Travel Customer Relations My name is Ann Martinka and I have been employed by Hammer Travel, for almost ten years. My husband Bob and I have three children and our middle child, Joy, was born with Down Syndrome. Being the only girl, Joy was lucky enough to get her own room....
On January 2021, Hammer Residences, Inc. (Hammer) located in the Twin Cities west metro will acquire Northeast Residence (NER), located in the northeast suburbs. The two organizations are non-profit disability service providers that support individuals with developmental disabilities in group...
By Regan Vanevenhoven, Lead Care Coordinator Just over 3 years ago, I transitioned from the program side of Hammer into the Care Coordination Department which is located within the Customized Support Services, or what we like to call Hammer West. For those of you who may not know, Hammer West is...
Congratulations to Andy Bleck and Sarah Montgomery, Volunteers of the Month for December! Andy and Sarah are the awesome coaches for Hammer’s Floor Hockey League. Andy first began volunteering at Hammer as a one on one volunteer. He found this so rewarding that he wanted to connect with more...
By Samantha Young, Assistant Program Manager at Hammer Residences I have supported Jeanne, who lives at our Queensland home, since the day I started working at Hammer. Like everyone, holidays are also really important to the individuals we support. Jeanne usually spent the holidays with one of her...
Congratulations to Tom Venable, Volunteer of the Month for November! Tom has been volunteering with Alex for the past year. Tom first heard about Hammer through his wife, Ginger, who works as Hammer’s Event Planner. Last year he decided he wanted to bring a little fun and joy to someone we support...
Jan Hopper, 1st Avenue Assistant Program Manager Every year Christ For People has a Christmas pageant unlike any pageant you have seen. It is not like the typical Christmas program with a couple of angels and a few shepherds along with the rest of the cast. This...
There are people who make a lasting impression on their first impression. If you have met Joe Esposito, you would remember him, and he would have definitely made an impression on you. His famous phrase “Hey, how you doin?” has rung through the central office and many Hammer homes and apartments...
Hammer’s Volunteer of the Month for October is Whitney Blasko. Whitney began volunteering with Heidi eight years ago. She became interested in volunteering at Hammer after meeting Ellen Timmerman-Borer at the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce. Volunteering has always been...
By Hannah Thibodeau, Communication Specialist Halloween has always held a special place in Tony’s heart. Supported by Hammer Residences since 2006, both staff and the other individuals at the apartment program noticed Tony’s love of Halloween right away. When Halloween came around during Tony’s...
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