Every year, Apartments.com’s ThanksGifting program honors deserving nonprofits that partner with the multifamily industry to build a brighter future. This year, Hammer & NER was selected to receive a $10,000 gift from the ThanksGifting program.

Leslie Klecatksy is the property director of Lake Place Apartments & Townhomes in Eden Prairie, which is affiliated with Apartments.com. This year, she won the opportunity to select a nonprofit organization to receive a $10,000 gift courtesy of Apartments.com. She chose Hammer & NER, as 12 of the men and women it supports are proud to call the Lake Place Apartments home. Our apartment programs support people who have the desire to live more independently. Hammer & NER staff help them build essential life skills to do so and provide 24/7 onsite assistance, lending a helping hand as needed.

DSP Rita Tri with Jenna

Our apartment programs, like Lake Place, make it possible for people with disabilities to live meaningful, self-directed lives. We are pleased that community partners like Lake Place Apartments welcome those we support to be a part of their community. This is what inclusion looks like and it means the world to those we support and their families. We are grateful for this $10,000 gift and to Leslie and the Lake Place staff for making it possible.

Hammer & NER opened its apartment program at Lake Place 15 years ago. Leslie Klecatksy says it has been more than a landlord-tenant relationship. “It has felt more like a partnership, and one we are proud to be part of,” she says. “We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving to be nominated for the Apartments.com donation. We have seen firsthand the positive impact the apartment program at Lake Place has had on the Hammer & NER residents and in our community as a whole.”

The Apartments.com gift will make a difference in the lives of the people we support. At a time when significant changes to government funding are deeply concerning, the $10,000 gift from Apartments.com will help us continue to provide the support and services the people at our Lake Place Apartments and the 360 other people we support rely on.

Thank you to Leslie and the team at Lake Place Apartments & Townhomes and to Apartments.com for this generous gift!

Photo above: Back row (from left): Hammer & NER staff, Sam and Edison; Lake Place Apartments & Townhomes management, David, Leslie, Lori, and David; Dave, Hammer & NER staff; Chris, supported at Lake Place Apartments. Front row (from left): Mark, Debra, Alyssa, Jenna, Christine, Kari, Jenny, and Katherine, supported at Lake Place

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Remember that old saying, “Don’t meet your superheroes as they may disappoint you.”? Well, that wasn’t the case when I was fortunate to meet Megan Newquist and Chris Egert from KSTP’s “Minnesota LIVE!” on March 21. I was able to stand “in the wings” as John Estrem was being interviewed in the studio and then we took some photos together. Megan and Chris were so friendly and welcoming, and I was glad to be a part of this opportunity. I was a little surprised how small it was. Television just makes everything look bigger than it really is. Obviously, I tried not to be one of those people who get star struck.

John Estrem being interviewed on “MN Live.”

It all began when I submitted a story idea on the KSTP TV website about Hammer’s 100th anniversary and NER’s 50th anniversary. I started becoming a fan of “Minnesota LIVE!” when it replaced the time slot of “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” Although I was disappointed at first, I began to enjoy watching what was happening across Minnesota. The show has also been a great resource to find activities for the people we support. I decided to submit a story idea since 100 years and 50 years of service are huge milestones. I thought it would be great exposure for our organization. To my surprise, I received a call from one of the producers wanting to put our story in a segment.

Steve Watanaskul checks out the anchor desk.

I am the Program Manager at our Arrive apartment program and started working at Hammer eight years ago. Before that, I was an AmeriCorps VISTA rep at Neighbors, Inc. My role was to identify ways to engage different population groups as volunteers for the organization. I was able to connect with many professionals in the volunteer field, including Kate Bottiger (who was the Director of Volunteer Resources at Hammer at the time), and I learned about Hammer. They had several openings available, and I applied and was hired as a Direct Support Professional (DSP). Within three years, I became a Program Manager.

The people we serve are what keep me here and are the most enjoyable part of my job. I was like everyone else who said I would work here for a couple of years until I get more experience under my belt—now it’s been eight years. There is something new each day and you feel a certain accomplishment when you can help someone work out their problems. You see the impact you make in the community and that is what keeps me coming back.

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Hammer’s Reach For Ralph raises more than $300K | Free | hometownsource.com

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NER and Hammer both share the same deeply held values that every person deserves a safe and healthy place to live and provide person-centered support helping each person experience life to its fullest. The synergies between the two organizations will also help better the lives of all individuals we serve.

“This opportunity is a positive one for both organizations,” said John Estrem, CEO of Hammer. “We have a combined 150 years of history supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Going forward, we will be able to work together, learn from each other, and continue to deliver our values-driven services together.”

Coming together will also allow Hammer and NER to share technology and resources to continue to improve the support we provide individuals and to our staff. Jointly, we will be able to build relationships with more counties and legislators to strengthen our advocacy focus for disability services and allow us to become a stronger advocate for the individuals we serve and make an impact on the industry.

This is a positive opportunity for both organizations as each are steadfast in their commitment to continue their values-driven services. After January 1, 2021, NER will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Hammer and but for the immediate future will continue its own independent operations and personnel.

To learn more about Hammer Residences click here

To learn more about Northeast Residence click here

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Through this pandemic, many true heroes have emerged.

Jack Moy, Eagle Scout, with help from his family and troop leaders has volunteered his free time during the pandemic to build three amazing pieces for Hammer Residences.

Two handcrafted tables for one of our community apartments. One dining room table and a kitchen island with storage and drawers, pictured here, will be delivered in August. The dining room table will allow the individuals who live in our home to gather for meals and activities. The craftsmanship is amazing! Truly professional!

Jack also built, from scratch a giant Plinko board which Hammer will use at its Reach for Ralph event and Family Day Picnics, when the pandemic is over. Jack designed and built the board from scratch with precision at every turn. This game is one of our most popular activities at Reach for Ralph and will be used instead of renting one year after year.

Jack is a student at Wayzata High School and a member of Boy Scouts of America, Troop # 481. While working on the project Jack said, “Being able to contribute something visibly meaningful to this inspiring organization is very rewarding.”

The Boy Scouts and Hammer Residences have been partners for many years. Many local scouts have done their Eagle Scout services projects to benefit Hammer. From building yard games for our homes and apartments, to making frames for an art show. Thank you, Jack and all the boy scouts that have been supportive of Hammer, and fulfilled the scout slogan of “Do a good turn daily.”

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