Friends Alyssa and Marnie

Marnie & Alyssa
Marnie and Alyssa (Alyssa is supported at our Lake Place Apartment program) have been friends for a year and a half now, through Hammer & NER’s “Make a Friend, Be a Friend” program. They get together twice a month, and Marnie says it’s always fun with a touch of adventure thrown in. “We enjoy getting outdoors and engaging in activities around our community, plus we never miss a chance to talk together and share laughs,” Marnie says. Recently, Alyssa shared some of her favorite times with Marnie. “It was special to reflect on all the experiences we’ve had and how close we’ve grown,” says Marnie. “Some highlights for her include visiting the Russian Museum of Art to see the Russian doll exhibit, enjoying Bachman’s Spring Flower Show, checking out the scarecrows at the Arboretum, shopping in Excelsior, and attending a kettle drum concert. We also LOVE going out to enjoy a meal together whenever we meet up,” Marnie says.

Friends Jenna and Sarah

Jenna & Sarah
Jenna and Sarah (Sarah is supported at our Royal Oaks Apartment program) make plans to hang out once a month and have been friends for just over a year now. They have enjoyed a variety of activities together including going out to the movies, eating out together or going to a coffee shop, or staying in have to dinner together at Sarah’s place. “When we hang out at Sarah’s, we tend to like crafty activities like painting or coloring, scrapbooking, working with modeling clay, or painting our fingernails,” says Jenna. “When it is nice out, we play a game on her patio and go for a short walk in her neighborhood.” Jenna says It’s fun to have a friend to plan these connections with and gives them both something to look forward to!

The Rockford ladies

The Rockford Ladies
The four Rockford ladies are a perfect example of what it’s like to live with your friends. Stephanie, Carla, and Cindy have lived together for over 25 years–since the house first opened! They have had only one roommate change in all those years: when Amy was chosen as their new housemate five years ago. They agree it’s been another perfect fit. The ladies love to do everything together, including going to the movies, playing bingo, doing crafts, going shopping, going on Hammer Travel Trips, visiting the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, or talking about anything Disney related. The ladies have had the chance to try some new things this year from going to a Vikings game and MN Wild game and even taking a trip to Hershey, PA. What started with friendship, has truly developed into a Rockford family. Stephanie, Carla, Cindy, and Amy just enjoy being together every day.

Friends Ryan and Chris

Ryan & Chris
Ryan first met Chris (supported at our Lancaster home) during Chris’s senior year of high school when he sat down with Ryan at lunch. “He recognized me from the football team,” says Ryan. “We quickly formed a friendship. Chris came to my games, and I attended his adapted sports events. Through that, I got to know Chris, his friends in the DCD program at Maple Grove, and his wonderful family: Judi-Marie, Mitch, and Lauren.” Ryan says his bond with Chris has lasted well beyond high school. “Chris cheered me on as a Gopher football player, stood by my side as a groomsman in my wedding, and today knows my children.” Chris has been an incredible friend to Ryan and has inspired him as a school principal to advocate for DCD students. “Seeing the independence and purpose Chris has gained through his group home and Hammer & NER’s activities is why I am so grateful to support this amazing organization. Chris is truly a lifelong friend, and I am blessed to know him.”

Sharla and her friends at Nelson Place 

Sharla & the Nelson Place Men
As a volunteer at Nelson Place, Sharla says she has had the joy of spending time each week with four incredible young men. “Together, we fill our year with activities and adventures,” she says, “exploring the neighborhood on walks, attending Christ for People, enjoying games at Scheels, celebrating holidays, catching movies, bowling, crafts, playing board games, and sharing meals on special occasions. What I treasure most, though, are our conversations about family, pets, and the things we’re looking forward to.”

Friends Susan and Kelly

Susan & Kelly
“I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Kelly (who is supported at the Cedarwood Apartments) over the past few years,” says Susan. “We get together once a week and hang out, usually working on a jigsaw puzzle.” Sometimes it’s just the two of them, and sometimes some of Kelly’s friends join in. “We laugh and have lots of fun together. Some of the puzzles Kelly and her friends choose are pretty challenging and I am constantly amazed at Kelly’s patience to finish the puzzle!”

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Murray needed extra care then and still needs it today.

54 years ago, my baby Murray was born. He was a big boy, my bundle of joy. Murray looked like a typical kid but for some reason he was slow in meeting milestones. Why wasn’t he talking? Why wasn’t he doing the things that all the other boys could do? The doctors didn’t know why – though one suggested that if I got my life together, Murray would be fine, as if somehow, I was to blame. I thought I was doing everything right. I enrolled Murray in pre-school, and I attended parenting classes.

But I knew something was wrong…

Like you would do, I kept searching for answers.

Finally… at age five… it was discovered that Murray was having mini seizures. They were so brief, usually less than 15 seconds long, barely noticeable, but they affected Murray. After he was diagnosed with epilepsy, an IQ test determined that he also had developmental disabilities.

As you may imagine, this was a lot to handle.

The truth is, Murray and his friends will always need your generosity.

Murray’s struggles were too difficult for me to handle on my own. With much worry and deliberation, I moved Murray to Northwoods Children’s Home in Duluth when he was eight years old. I lived nearby and visited often. It worked out for many years, but when Murray was 16 he had a health crisis that made me realize he needed a new home, a place that could manage his changing and complex medical needs.

Murray needed more help. My sister Fran had a good experience volunteering at Hammer when she was in high school. After researching all the options, I felt Hammer would be an excellent placement for Murray. So, in 1986, Murray moved into what was then the boy’s dorm at Hammer. He started classes at Wayzata High School with the other guys on his floor, and really began to blossom.

Today, 38 years later, Murray is living in a Hammer group home in Minnetonka with three housemates. I’m retired, living close by in a little apartment. Murray’s home was built, thanks to the generosity of Hammer family members and donors like you. Each individual’s needs were considered as their home was being built. This home is where they will be for the rest of their lives. Murray’s medical needs are taken care of by a devoted, well-trained staff team and the wonderful Hammer nurses.

Because of your financial commitment, Murray has a home and caregivers who help him live an active, full life.

Think about activities that bring you joy. They are probably not that much different than what Murray enjoys. It’s just that without your financial support, Murray is unable to be part of our community.

You see, Murray works but will never be able to earn enough to enjoy even the simple pleasures in life. Things you and I take for granted. Government funding provides Murray his basic needs: a place to call home, food, and caregivers. But when you think about it, isn’t there so much more to living?

When he tells me, “I’m going camping and catch fish,” I know that he is excited about the annual Hammer three-day fishing trip to Brainerd in June. This trip is the only time he gets to sleep in a bed that is not his own, the only chance he has to go on a vacation. This quick trip up north is everything to Murray, and something he talks about year-round.

And, you should see the big grin he has at Texa-Tonka Lanes when he joins Hammer’s Bowling League. Murray and his housemate enjoy being active with friends. Murray gets to be part of a larger community and it means the world to him. Bowling gives him the chance to excel (he’s a very good bowler!) and to work on his communication and social skills. Because otherwise, given his limited communication abilities, Murray tends to isolate himself. And as a mom, I worry he’s lonely.

Thank you for caring
and thank you for your support.

Murray is only one of 370 individuals, with very limited resources who need your help. Will you please join me in making make a financial contribution to Hammer?

It’s only because of caring donors like you that Murray is able to live his life to the fullest.

Thank you for reading my story and thank you for considering my request. Please help Murray and everyone served by Hammer enjoy a life worth living.

Sincerely,

Barb Lebowitz, Murray’s Mom

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