I never imagined that singing in a church choir would lead to a decades-long partnership with Hammer & NER.

Liz and Kate enjoy chatting after Sunday Mass 

About 40 years ago, my husband Jerry and I were raising four young children and regularly attending church. Through the choir, I met Liz—a joyful woman supported by Hammer & NER—whose love for singing left a lasting impression on me.

When our family joined Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community in Wayzata, Fr. Arnold Weber created a welcoming space for individuals with developmental disabilities. We watched as several people supported by Hammer & NER began attending Sunday Mass, brought by volunteers. That tradition continues today through a monthly special needs program.

These relationships deeply impacted our family, inspiring us to financially support Hammer & NER. We believe every individual deserves a life of dignity, respect, and peace. It’s our responsibility as a community to offer a hand-up so they can live life to the fullest.

Four decades ago, when I first met individuals supported by Hammer & NER, many were young, independent, and full of energy. Over time, their needs have changed—requiring more medical care, adapted transportation, and perhaps a change to their housing situation. Both those served and their caregivers need increased resources.

That’s why our family is investing in the Together, We Ensure Tomorrow campaign. Hammer & NER is now caring for the first generation of senior citizens with developmental disabilities, and the need is urgent. It brings us joy to support this campaign so those served—and those who care for them—can thrive well into the future.

Growing up, my parents instilled in us the importance of generosity and doing the right thing. Supporting Hammer & NER feels like the right thing for our family—and now is the right time.

Perhaps it’s the right time for your family, too. Together, we can ensure a future filled with dignity, care, and opportunity for every individual served by Hammer & NER.

Please consider making a gift today. Your help is urgently needed. Please visit: Together, We Ensure Tomorrow – Hammer

Kate is pictured above with her husband, Jerry, and their family.

The post Inspired by Liz’s Joy appeared first on Hammer.

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.

The post Showcasing Our Homes–Rockford appeared first on Hammer.

What if improving your health was as easy as taking a walk—and making friends along the way? “At our Arrive Apartments program, what started as a small group strolling a mile twice a week has grown into a vibrant walking club that’s redefining wellness and community,” says Program Director Jay Butler. Led by DSP Michael Kline, the walking club now includes up to 14 members who meet regularly to walk, connect, and support each other.

Michael and Derek

“When someone expresses interest in joining, Michael—who has worked at Arrive for many years—takes time to learn about their goals,” says Jay. “He helps members set objectives and encourages them along the way.” Derek, one of the first participants, joined the club to improve his health and lose weight. With support from Michael and the group, Derek lost 28 pounds, kept it off, and gained confidence in the process. Today, he’s still an active member.

For Michael, the walking club is about more than exercise. He knows the benefits of spending time outdoors—fresh air and nature are good for both physical and emotional well-being. Some members even track their steps and challenge themselves. Michael has worked hard to make the club a space for fitness, friendship, and community engagement.

“The social part of our walks seems to be the most enjoyable,” Michael says. “The smiles, conversation, and the sense of accomplishment are what keep us going.” The group’s walks often include stops at the dog park, where individuals enjoy petting friendly pups and chatting with their owners—a highlight that keeps everyone motivated. Occasionally, the group celebrates with a treat after their walk. Over time, these outings have created lasting friendships and a sense of belonging.

Out for a walk are Michael and Derek, followed by Amy and Program Manager Steve Watanaskul and Mark and Kelly

Michael’s leadership reflects our commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles. His efforts show that a little creativity and heart can make a big difference. Recently, Michael invited another nearby apartment program to join the fun and several new members joined the club. The group sometimes walks up to three miles around the park. On cold or rainy days, they head to the Mall of America for indoor walks (with a stop at the Pretzel Factory, of course!).

One of the regular walkers sums it up perfectly: “It’s good to get out and see the world. There’s lots of interesting places out there. I enjoy it. Mike is one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. We laugh and joke and have fun.”

The walking club is proof that small steps can lead to big changes—in health, happiness, and community. Here’s to many more miles together!

The post Stepping into Wellness appeared first on Hammer.

The Mount Olivet Lutheran Quilters aren’t just stitching fabric—they’re stitching love and comfort into every square. This dedicated group of 14 women crafts 12–20 quilts each month, each measuring 60” x 80.” Over the past 28 years, they’ve created more than 2,400 quilts, wrapping countless lives in warmth.

Max

Patricia

The quilts find homes through local nonprofits. Since 2012, the Quilters have donated over 170 quilts to Hammer & NER, each one personalized with colors and patterns that reflect the recipient’s favorite hues or interests. “We pick out interesting and quirky ones for Hammer & NER,” says Nancy Vande Vegte, who helps organize the quilt donations. “We’re happy to help where there’s a need.” Nancy adds that the daughter of one of the members is supported at Hammer & NER.

Laura and Kim

Sam

This year’s delivery brought 24 cozy quilts to eight Hammer & NER homes. At the Currie home, Program Manager Rachel Carson shares how much the quilts mean: “Laura loves hers and had a huge smile on her face when she got her quilt,” Rachel says. “She says she could always use more of these!” For Laura, this gift was more than fabric—it was comfort and care.

Dru

These quilts aren’t just warming bodies—they’re warming hearts. Thank you to the Mount Olivet Lutheran Quilters for sharing your love with us.

In photo above, members of the Mount Olivet Lutheran Quilters are pictured in the church sanctuary with some of the quilts they made this year.

The post Threads of Kindness appeared first on Hammer.

Every year, Apartments.com’s ThanksGifting program honors deserving nonprofits that partner with the multifamily industry to build a brighter future. This year, Hammer & NER was selected to receive a $10,000 gift from the ThanksGifting program.

Leslie Klecatksy is the property director of Lake Place Apartments & Townhomes in Eden Prairie, which is affiliated with Apartments.com. This year, she won the opportunity to select a nonprofit organization to receive a $10,000 gift courtesy of Apartments.com. She chose Hammer & NER, as 12 of the men and women it supports are proud to call the Lake Place Apartments home. Our apartment programs support people who have the desire to live more independently. Hammer & NER staff help them build essential life skills to do so and provide 24/7 onsite assistance, lending a helping hand as needed.

DSP Rita Tri with Jenna

Our apartment programs, like Lake Place, make it possible for people with disabilities to live meaningful, self-directed lives. We are pleased that community partners like Lake Place Apartments welcome those we support to be a part of their community. This is what inclusion looks like and it means the world to those we support and their families. We are grateful for this $10,000 gift and to Leslie and the Lake Place staff for making it possible.

Hammer & NER opened its apartment program at Lake Place 15 years ago. Leslie Klecatksy says it has been more than a landlord-tenant relationship. “It has felt more like a partnership, and one we are proud to be part of,” she says. “We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving to be nominated for the Apartments.com donation. We have seen firsthand the positive impact the apartment program at Lake Place has had on the Hammer & NER residents and in our community as a whole.”

The Apartments.com gift will make a difference in the lives of the people we support. At a time when significant changes to government funding are deeply concerning, the $10,000 gift from Apartments.com will help us continue to provide the support and services the people at our Lake Place Apartments and the 360 other people we support rely on.

Thank you to Leslie and the team at Lake Place Apartments & Townhomes and to Apartments.com for this generous gift!

Photo above: Back row (from left): Hammer & NER staff, Sam and Edison; Lake Place Apartments & Townhomes management, David, Leslie, Lori, and David; Dave, Hammer & NER staff; Chris, supported at Lake Place Apartments. Front row (from left): Mark, Debra, Alyssa, Jenna, Christine, Kari, Jenny, and Katherine, supported at Lake Place

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