Caricature artist creates joy and laughter If you have attended our annual Family Day Picnic (held in September), you’ve likely noticed one of the most popular attractions are the caricature drawings. People make a beeline to sit for their likeness to be drawn by artist Cindy Berglund. Cindy was...
Why I became a trip leader My sister and I didn’t have much while growing up. Our parents worked odd hours to make ends meet, but no matter how hard it was for them, we were able to enjoy fun family vacations. I have fond memories of going to Universal Studios and riding the Backlot Tour...
Meet Chris Chica & Mike Siebenaler! Chris Chica and Mike Siebenaler are in new roles at Hammer & NER. Let’s get to know them and the ways they are helping us live our mission of providing people with intellectual and other disabilities the opportunity to live life to its fullest. Tell us...
Sharing the journey of a sibling with special needs Michelle Olson is a Hammer & NER Board member. She and her husband, Steve, utilized NER’s former respite program to help care for their daughter, Tiffany (Tiff), when she was younger. Their other daughters, Chrissie and Nikki, grew up...
We are grateful for our many community partners who support us in a variety of ways. They are critical to helping us live our mission. A standout among them is The Lacek Group, which has proven itself to be the gold standard in partnerships. For nearly two years, The Lacek Group, a loyalty, CRM,...
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 Edgewater home in Shoreview! The Edgewater...
Decades of devotion have nurtured fulfilling lives At Hammer & NER, our mission is to provide person-centered support to all those we serve through the highest quality of care. The faces behind the direct support in the homes are pivotal to this mission succeeding. For 17 years, Emily...
The sibling relationship is one of life’s most enduring and multifaceted connections, particularly for those with a brother or sister living with an intellectual disability. This bond often transcends mere companionship: Siblings frequently find themselves taking on roles as advocates, caregivers,...
Dear friends, I would like to share a story about the positive and life-changing impacts of the relationships our staff have with those we support. Justin joined the Hammer & NER family in November 1997 when he moved into Cottage Place (now 9th Ave), gradually moving to the Cope House (now...
The Nativity story, celebrating the birth of Jesus, is one that is played out in hundreds of thousands of churches around the world each Christmas. For over 30 years, the Christ for People ministry, which serves dozens of people from Hammer & NER, has also joined in the tradition, sharing a...
In 2009, Martha Gschneidner was preparing to send her youngest son to college. Desiring to give back to her community with her added free time, she sought out volunteer opportunities. This desire to give back would lead to 15 years of volunteerism and generosity with Hammer & NER. Through...
Novel idea supports Reach for Ralph and strengthens connections Chris Ringe joined the Hammer & NER family in 2017. He is an active, friendly, outgoing guy with a big heart. His parents, Mitch and Judi Marie, were thrilled when Chris was invited to live at the Lancaster home, where he...
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