August 18, 1972, was a very important day in the lives of my sister, Anne, and our family. That was the day, 51 years ago, that Anne moved into Hammer Residences. At that time, Hammer was located on a single campus in Wayzata with a large dormitory. Anne moved into one of the rooms on the women’s floor in the dormitory and began her life as part of the Hammer family.

Prior to Anne moving to Hammer, our family had made the difficult decision that Anne needed a place to live that could offer her more training, opportunities, and a better quality of life than we could at home. Trying to find that place was not easy. Anne had already endured several years of living in very difficult situations both in local hospitals and state schools. We were told about Hammer during one of her hospital stays and jumped at the chance to move her there as it sounded like the perfect solution.

The sisters volunteered at the 2019 Lambert Open, a fundraising tournament hosted by Hammer Residences.

It turned out to be more than the perfect solution. Hammer was and is the best thing that could have happened to Anne and to our family. Anne was at a stage in her life where she was unsure of where life would take her; she had few prospects of living a happy and productive life and she needed guidance and social and life skills training that Hammer was ready to give her.

Anne lived in the dormitory for some time and then began to move into new living situations as she became more and more capable of living semi-independently. She started in the Carlson apartments (which were part of the Carlson house on the Hammer campus) first, and, after several moves, now lives in the Stone Creek apartments with the support of Hammer staff. Anne lives a busy, happy, and fulfilled life. She loves living at Hammer, has many good friends there, and participates in as many activities as she can. Anne also has a job at General Mills that she loves. She has become an amazing adult with far more skills, abilities, and knowledge than we once thought possible. We have Hammer to thank for that.

Anne’s life at Hammer is a wonderful example of that. Many doors have been opened and possibilities unlocked for her that would never have happened without the work of the caring staff at Hammer. We are so grateful for all that Hammer has done for Anne and look forward to her continuing to be part of the Hammer family for many years to come.

In the photo above, Anne (in red jacket, second row right) with her Carlson apartment friends and staff on a camping trip in the 1980s.

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Hammer Travel opens up a world of adventures

Jim checking out the cockpit, 2016

Since 2009, Hammer Travel has supported over 2,000 people as they fulfilled their travel goals. Going hand in hand with Hammer’s mission, Hammer Travel promotes personal growth, social inclusion, independence, and self-confidence, through the joys of travel. Whether visiting a new city or cruising Alaska, travel is a world-expanding experience that plays an important role in one’s quality of life.

Katie Pease, Hammer Training Consultant, Trip Leader – I’m happy to share a part in making travel dreams come true for the people we support. Everyone deserves to have the opportunity to travel, and if someone needs a little extra help to be safe and supported, that’s what we’re here for. I really enjoy seeing our travelers embrace all the new things that can be a part of traveling. Sometimes it’s navigating through nerves with airport security, trying a new food, or walking slowly together into the water to touch a dolphin. I enjoy working through challenges as they arise and having a ton of fun along the way.

Having lots of fun at All Things Hershey, 2022

Joe, Traveler, Hammer’s Stone Creek Apartments – I’ve traveled a lot with Hammer Travel. I’ve been to New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Branson, and Disney Halloween Magic at Disney World. I love seeing new places and it’s fun to meet people from other states and make friends with them. My favorite trip so far was “All Things Hershey” to Hershey, PA. We visited Hershey Park, went on rides, and learned about the history of Hershey. I also like going to Wisconsin Dells. I just enjoy myself.

Malik Mohamud, Trip Leader, Hammer & NER Program Manager – Witnessing the joy and excitement on travelers’ faces is truly awe-inspiring. We celebrated a lady’s birthday during a late-night luau in Hawaii. For her, it was an extraordinary experience to mark her special day in a place she had never imagined visiting. Individuals can accomplish goals they never thought possible. One traveler had a deep connection to Pearl Harbor, passed down through family stories. His dream was to be part of the Pearl Harbor experience during our Hawaii trip. His excitement was palpable as he eagerly took pictures and immersed himself in the history that had captivated him for so long.

Pam Whitcomb, Volunteer – I enjoy providing a safe space for people to freely expand their comfort zones and experience new adventures. On one trip, an Alaskan cruise, one of the travelers with a progressive muscle disease wanted to just swim in the hot tub. The pool staff operated the lift, and we got him in the tub and a few of us went in with him. He was happy as a clam! There are always challenges, but it really helps to have a good team of staff and volunteers that work together on the difficult issues. That can turn a tough situation into a good one!

Cindi Laurent, Volunteer – I really enjoy the people I meet and the things we do. My favorite trip was swimming with the dolphins. We had a gal with pretty serious physical issues (wheelchair bound) and we weren’t sure how we were going to work out her swim. The trainers at Discovery Cove were amazing. One of them wrapped her around the dolphin and then wrapped himself around her so she could experience the swim. We all had tears in our eyes at the joy on her face. 

JenniLee Wilson, Caregiver, Coordinator-MSCC, Inc, Olsonville (Carlton, MN) – We had a client who wanted to see a WWE (professional wrestling) show and I had no idea where to go about making it happen until a guardian suggested Hammer Travel. The four trips we’ve been a part of have been some of the most well planned, relaxing, and fun the clients I serve have had. We took one of the people we support to Louisiana. It’s been great to see how independent he has become after the trip. He’s really stepping up to the plate to do big things on his own.

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A career filled with sweet memories, growth, and challenges

Pam received The Arc Inclusive Housing Award in 2016

In 2006, my husband and I were living in LaCrosse and he had a job opportunity in the Twin Cities. We decided to take the leap. I went online and searched for group home jobs. I had been working as a program manager and prior to that as a DSP in various communities. I applied to Hammer and was offered an interview, so I drove three hours to the Twin Cities, was interviewed, and left feeling hopeful. I got a phone call just as I returned home asking me to return the next day for a second interview as a co-manager at Plymouth Colony apartments. I drove three hours back to the Twin Cities and left with a job that was to start a few weeks later.

Within a few weeks of starting my new job, I felt the magic that this place exuded. I called my mom and raved about all the things I had learned and the great people I had encountered and was blessed to be working with. I told her I wanted to move Bryan (my brother) here. She laughed as that seemed like such a challenge. However, as time went on, I convinced her to move Bryan to Hammer from the group home in Green Bay. She moved first, in 2015, then we moved Bryan into Lee Avenue in August 2017. He has been so happy there.

Meanwhile, I began opening new apartment programs in Eden Prairie. First, Broadmoor (which became Renew), then Lake Place, and lastly Eden Place (now Arrive). My role was to get these programs developed, staffed, and up and running, then pass them off to another manager so I could start the next project. In 2016, I became a Program Director at Hammer.

In 2020, the world flipped upside down a bit with the pandemic, which brought new challenges as a mom trying to juggle schooling with three kids, being a Program Director, and spending time with Bryan. At the end of the year, the management team was made aware of the merger we were about to start with Northeast Residence (NER) in the east metro. This sounded exciting to me. I remember telling my supervisor, Sue Walker, to let me know if I could help with any projects related to the merger.

By July 2021, I was working full time at NER as the Director of Residential Services, continuing to navigate the pandemic and adjusting our work in the homes as the regulations changed around us. I spent six months evaluating where the program team was at and working with others to determine the right path moving forward as we merged our two organizations. My role now is focused on implementing changes and supporting the program team through the changes and the day-to-day supports we provide.

Andy and Molly at their wedding reception

One of my favorite experiences from my apartment days was working with Andy at Broadmoor. We had a tour for a potential new person, Molly, one day and Andy came out of his apartment and yelled, “Hey, I know you!” to her. The two reconnected after spending many years apart. They had gone to a special ed program together when they were little. Molly moved in, the two began dating, and eventually Andy proposed. They both moved to Lake Place, and I supported them both through their engagement and creating their living arrangements for their relationship. Being able to watch them profess their love for one another and celebrate at their wedding was a highlight for sure. Molly recently passed away and I was able to go and sit with Andy for a while and just talk to him. I feel honored to have been able to work with him and Molly.

In photo above, Pam is pictured with Alex at Disabilities Services Day at the Capitol, 2017

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Ken Harper is a Program Director of our Broadway, Ives, Kentucky, Cedarwood, Welcome Place, McGlinch, Arkansas, Emery, and Merrimac homes. He has worked with Hammer for 32 years.

I came to Hammer in 1991, after moving here from Louisiana. I had been working in chemical dependency and wanted to get a job at Hazelden (drug and alcohol rehab center). But then I saw a want ad in the newspaper for a DSP role at Hammer. I applied and got hired. After working at Hammer’s Dublin home (now called Emery) for a few months, I knew this was where I wanted to be.

Three guys had moved into the Dublin home from a treatment center and three from their family homes. It was a totally different experience for me than working in the chemical dependency field. The thing that really got me—I would take people to the mall or to a Twins game and the whole way back they would say, “thank you, thank you, thank you.” They thanked me for doing something we take for granted. That made a huge impact on me.

Later, the guys from our Dublin home and I moved to our Ridgeview home. I was a DSP and then Assistant Program Manager for 15 years. Tom Gillespie was a big mentor for me. When I became a Program Manager, he was my Program Director until he became Chief Program Officer. It seemed to be a perfect fit; we had the same kind of personality. I always appreciated that I could reach out to him. Whenever I had something new like running a program plan, he would give me an opportunity to give it a shot first and then send it to him for corrections.

What’s kept me here for 32 years? It’s the relationships I’ve built with the people we support and their families. Aaron moved to Arrowood when he was 13 years old. It was really tough for his parents; 13 is young, but it just wasn’t working out for him at home because of behavioral challenges, it wasn’t safe for him. Now he’s living at our Hampshire home and doing remarkably well. He invited me to his bar mitzvah last year. Seeing him up there, speaking in Hebrew, he was amazing, and it made me emotional. He had worked with the rabbi for months. The ceremony was about 45 minutes long. That’s a long time for Aaron. His favorite phrase is, “That’s too long can we be done now?” You take him to the movies and he’s ready to go after the previews. But he didn’t say it once. Aaron has made such a transformation from when he moved to Arrowood at 13 to the man he is now. Maybe it’s the stability he’s had. I’m glad I was a part of it. But most of it was Aaron.

The people we support have certain challenges but they’re not different from us. I’ve built relationships with the people I’ve supported and treat them like I would my friends.

Joining Hammer has been the best decision of my career.

Ken is pictured above, earlier in his career, with Jim from our Ridgeview home. 

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Tom and Lee Ann’s son, Jeff, is supported at our 13th Avenue home in Plymouth. The Silvers are long-time generous supporters. Tom served on the Hammer Board and Lee Ann has been a valued volunteer for many years.  

In 1985, I started my involvement with Hammer Residences by answering the call for drivers to bring people from the Hammer dorms in Wayzata to worship at Holy Name of Jesus. We’d pull up in our cars, six or seven of us, and drive 20 or so people over to the church. When Hammer moved into group homes, we’d have a route we’d follow to pick up people. Our pastor at the time, Father Arnold Weber, had just started a “special needs” ministry with worship, faith sharing, and Bible studies. Parishioners were so welcoming! People from Hammer like Don Rudd and Jim Finney and so many others became some of the most faithful, beloved, and vocal participants in the Mass. I will never forget whenever Fr. Arnold said something that he agreed with, Jim would always say, “That’s right!” 

In 1987, my wife, Lee Ann, gave birth to our son, Jeff, who has Down syndrome. Lee Ann was a nurse, and I was involved with Hammer, so we knew a bit about what was ahead of us. When he became a teenager, Jeff started talking about living in a group home like the people we were driving to church. Fast forward to 2023, and now Jeff lives at the 13^th Avenue home in Plymouth. He loves living with his housemates and staff and it is our hope that Jeff will remain with Hammer for the rest of his life.

In 2013, Tom Silver, Bill Young, and Joe Reis, Hammer Board members and Holy Name parishioners, sent a letter to friends requesting donations to Hammer to maintain its high standard of care. Since then, those who received that letter have gone on to contribute almost $260,000. 

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