Any parent has likely heard the phrase, “the days are long, but the years are short.” The years may be short, but my son, Josiah, definitely isn’t! It seems like just yesterday he was a tiny toddler running around the house and now I have an 18-year-old young man who is almost as tall as me (I’m...
At Hammer & NER, we believe that a person’s home should be a sanctuary of comfort and independence, no matter their stage of life. I’m pleased to share the thoughtful and necessary updates made to our 9th Avenue home to promote a more accessible and comfortable living environment. In...
Living a life of advocacy and adventure Around the Cedarwood Apartments in Crystal, Kelly Lee is known as the gal with a personality and smile that can light up a room. She is also a very independent woman who advocates for herself and others living with disabilities. “I am a person with cerebral...
Strength in Commitment to Aging Supports and Education By Sue Walker, Chief Program Officer and Cate Saracen Peters, Director of Workforce Development & Training As a part of our mission, we have made a commitment to support and care for people through all stages of life. More than 20 years...
Calling all volunteers! Get ready to put on your aprons and grab your frying pans because an exciting volunteer opportunity is now also available in the east metro at our White Bear Lake office. If you and your friends enjoy cooking and are passionate about making a positive impact for the...
Steve Kastendieck’s son, Ryan, is supported at Hammer & NER My relationship with Hammer Residences began 15 years ago, when my colleague at Allina Health, and my friend, Joel Amundsen, invited me to sit with him on the Human Rights Committee as a volunteer pharmacist reviewing cases each...
Every person on earth deserves to have their basic needs met which include being loved, comforted, and having a sense of belonging. We all need emotional warmth and a sense of belonging; this includes individuals who are experiencing cognitive decline. James and I have known each other for the...
I was thrilled to join the Hammer & NER Board of Directors in January. Participating on the Board, Program Committee, and Advocacy Committee comes with a learning curve, however, not without wonderful support from other volunteers and staff members. The Hammer & NER Vision and Strategic...
New program fills unused space in East office In a nutshell, there have been many changes to external day programs, staffing within our homes, and our ability as an organization to provide community engagement due to the staffing changes post pandemic. These left many of our individuals home or...
Here is the featured cover story of our summer Discoveries magazine. Decades of devotion have nurtured a fulfilling life To meet the Smith family is to witness the meaning of love and devotion. In addition to raising their own six children, Gary and Shirley Smith welcomed 12 foster children into...
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...
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