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...
Mount Olivet Lutheran Quilters gift homemade quilts The Mount Olivet Lutheran Quilters is a group of women who love to make quilts and help those in need. Its 14 members make 12-20 quilts each month. Each 60” x 80” mission quilt takes approximately 10-15 woman hours to complete. “Over the past 27...
Each year, Operation Christmas Child volunteers pack shoe-box-sized boxes stuffed with toys, books, treats, and more for children in need around the world. Recently, some of the people we support got to join in the fun through Christ for People, a ministry for people with intellectual...
We would like to shine a light on a certain someone who has been helping out with various groups who volunteer with our weekly Cooks in the Kitchen program on the East side. His name is Andy, and he is one of the many fabulous folks that we support here at Hammer & NER. Andy attends our day...
A sister’s devotion ensures he lives his best life Julie Wesley-Wong is Vice President of the Hammer & NER Board and chairs the Board’s Advocacy committee. Her brother, Mickey, joined the Hammer family in 1978 when he moved into the boys’ dorm on the Hammer campus. Recently, she sat down with...
By Diane Bruns, Steven’s sister Steve was diagnosed as a toddler with an intellectual disability. He is non-verbal but communicates through basic sign language. Despite some new health challenges, Steven loves to spend time with his family and go to his day support program, drink coffee and...
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 Currie home in Maplewood! The Currie home...
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 Zealand apartment program in New Hope! The...
Seventeen Years of Love and Laughter with Lynn Meet Bethany Collins, one of our Hammer & NER volunteers, who has grown a strong friendship with Lynn, who is supported at our Zealand apartments. By Bethany Collins Seventeen years ago, I set out on a journey that would change my life. I had just...
At Hammer & NER, it’s key for our staff to build meaningful relationships with the individuals we support, fostering a sense of community that extends far beyond the workplace. One remarkable example of this was seen in August, when Emma Handeland, Program Manager at our Lakeside home, married...
Growing up, siblings of people with intellectual disabilities will watch their parents care for all aspects of their brother or sister’s life, even during young adulthood. As they grow older, these siblings may wonder where they belong in terms of their involvement with caretaking and decision...
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