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...
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...
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