Vern Steffel has always loved to make people smile. As the band leader of the Whoopie John Band Orchestra, he played venues across the upper Midwest and as far away as Bavaria. With a focus on old-time music, primarily polka, the band played to standing-room only audiences until 2004 when it came...
Bringing Back a Much-Loved Tradition Here’s a look back on a fun event from last summer when temps were warm, and days were sunny. It was a great opportunity for our west metro and east metro families and staff to get to know one another a bit. A BIG thanks to all of the staff and volunteers...
We Need Legislative Change & Support By Mary Gaasch, Director of Advocacy and Community Relations In October, Jacob Snell, the Program Manager for our west metro (Hammer) Royal Oaks program and I attended ANCOR’s Policy Summit in Washington, DC. ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and...
By Cathy Thoma, Director of Volunteer Resources The universe works in mysterious ways. At least it does for Mary Bradley. About five years ago, Mary (holding tray of cookies above) was watching a movie with a lead character who had Down syndrome. Mary had a sudden, strong feeling that she was...
One of the things Hammer Residences and Northeast Residence (NER) have in common is a workplace culture supportive of staff who have met and married or employees who encourage family members to apply for jobs with the organization. The Heroff family has taken that to heart: Lisa Heroff, along with...
A 70-Year Tradition Welcomes New Families & Friends In September, Hammer Residences hosted our annual Family Day Picnic—the first one in three years—outside our Central Offices. This is a special day for the families and people we serve as well as our staff and their families to come together...
If you or someone you know is interested in developing a career (not just a job) supporting people with disabilities, then Teri Lutzke would like to talk with you! Teri Lutzke joined our east metro Human Resources team as a Recruiter a few months ago. She brings with her a special passion for her...
Frank Palony has Spent a Lifetime in Our Care By Lin Curran, Chief of East Metro Operations Frank has been a member of our (east metro) NER family most of his life, going back to 1975 when he was 8 years old and moved into our ICF home. This was just two years after Northeast Residence opened its...
by Nate Reed, NER Development, Fundraising Manager Northeast Residence has been fortunate to receive grants that enhance our ability to provide services. In 2021, a grant from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation supported our efforts to improve technology and increase communication...
by Ellen Timmerman-Borer, Chief Development Officer “We are friends.” That is what Deb Gjoraas and her husband, Jake, say about Carla, Cindy, Stephanie, and Amy, the four women who live at Hammer’s Rockford home located in Plymouth. For 20 years, Deb has been giving the ladies piano lessons, going...
by Nate Reed, NER Development, Fundraising Manager I had the opportunity to sit down with Kelly and Theresa Daily at the Allen home in Little Canada as they prepared to pick up their son, Willie, for his daily visit to their home. “While we love having him come home daily,” Theresa says, “we know...
HAMMER’S EDUCATION GRANTS SUPPORT CAREER DEVELOPMENT by Jennifer L. Hipple, Communications Specialist When Johnetta Sumo was just 8 years old, she wanted to be a doctor. Growing up in Liberia, she saw her mother pass away at a very young age. “They weren’t able to help her,” Johnetta...
Recent Comments