By Angela Bernhardt, Director of Major Gifts The deck before renovation. In August of 2016, we received an email from Spencer Agnew who had recently took on a new position managing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program at Hennepin County. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one...
By Cathy Thoma, Director of Volunteer Resources Bob and his late wife, Judith. There are many paths and reasons that bring volunteers to Hammer. There are some who stay for a short while, others who stay for many years, and yet others who need to leave and then return. Bob Ziegeweid starting...
Hammer’s Volunteer of the Month is Terry Martin! Terry Martin began as a pet therapy volunteer with Hammer starting in January 2017. Since then he and his dog Sunny have volunteered each week with Stacy at Welcome Place. Terry was recently trained on how to use a lift van, which opened up the many...
by Pam Borum, Individualized Community Services DSP When I started at Hammer seven years ago, I already knew that I enjoyed working with people. What I did not realize is that I would experience so many pure souls. I have seen many stages of life, from the excitement when an individual comes...
By Jan Hopper, First Ave Program Manager Tristan lives at Hammer First Ave, but his family lives in Lynden, Washington. He misses his family very much and would like to see them more often. A trip home to see his grandmother’s new home was made possible by YOU our generous donors who gave to...
by Ashley Emerson, Program Manager at Hammer’s Emery Home At Hammer, each individual has the support of an entire village. It starts with the staff team, supporting the individual on a day-to-day basis and making the house a home. Some of the support includes positive behavior modification,...
By: Samantha Wolf – Hammer Communications Specialist As families around the country are getting back into the swing of the school year, I found myself contemplating the history of school at Hammer. As many of our readers may know, Hammer Residences began as Hammer School, giving Hammer a...
By Barbara Brandt, Director of Communication Who knew that when she left Montana headed for Las Vegas, Lesa Fenwick would end up owning Candlelight Floral and Gifts in Wayzata, Minnesota. Well, fate and a lot of hard work had a great deal to do with it! Lesa was born and raised in Bozeman,...
By Karen Trygstad, Training and Education Coordinator Shortly after I began working at Hammer, I stumbled across a YouTube video of Jon Leverentz, that was filmed in his basement art studio in his Hammer home, talking about his love of art. Something about that video resonated with me. I shared it...
By Jessica Hammer, Instructional Designer and Tech Specialist I have a confession to make. I’m a millennial. There, I said it. Whew. Now that that’s over with I have another confession. I love reading real books. Listen, I know eBooks are so convenient and instant and you can take a whole library...
By Lindsay Carlson, Communication Intern Hammer supports two couples who are celebrating their first and second wedding anniversaries this week. Congrats to Adam & Susan (left) married 2 years and to Andy & Molly (right) married 1 year! Adam and Susan celebrated their second...
Written by: Frances Matejcek, Hammer Advocacy intern, Macalester College student Francis joined other volunteers from the “This Is Medicaid” campaign to call voters in key states to preserve Medicaid and oppose the proposed Medicaid cuts in the healthcare bill. The bill has since...
Have you ever experienced arriving back where you first began? It’s ironic how life’s experiences can bring you full circle and then you realize how much you have really learned throughout the process. John Coy, now a local award-winning author recently journeyed back to his caregiver roots. He...
Hammer Named a Top 150 Workplace for the 8th Year in a Row By Wendy Paulson, Human Resource Specialist Hammer Residences has received the special recognition of being named a Top 150 Workplace—a ranking that places us among the best of the best—for our 8th year in a row! The evaluation...
Every year, Hammer awards special families, donors, volunteers, or friends of Hammer with a Community Partner Award. These awards are presented at Hammer’s Annual Spring Breakfast. Take a look at the 2017 Community Partner Award winners, and join us in thanking them for their contribution to...
By: Samantha Cantrall, Communication Specialist at Hammer When Kris went to Twins Fest with her Hammer staff Katie, she had one goal in mind – meet Joe Mauer. There are many Minnesota Twins fans who have a special place in their heart for Joe Mauer, but Kris is an especially big fan. She has...
Kim Hoffman and her dog Toby have been visiting the folks at Lakeside since 2013. Kim says, “Toby and I have been reading with Julia ever since, sometimes doing puzzles. Toby plays quietly with his toys until we finish. We’ve also been able to spend time visiting informally with some...
By: Samantha Cantrall, Communications Specialist Are you aware of the violinist, Gaelynn Lea? If not, you should be. This woman is a professional musician, expert conversationalist, and motivational speaker all wrapped into one. She hails from Duluth, Minnesota, and she happens to live with a...
MEDICAID (Medical Assistance or MA in Minnesota) Oppose Drastic Cuts to Medicaid that will be devastating for Minnesotans. Why is this so urgent now? Medicaid (Medical Assistance or MA in Minnesota) is a critical mechanism that ensures healthcare coverage and services for Minnesotans of all ages...
FIND MY LEGISLATOR My name is Adam Cullen, and I am a direct support professional (DSP) working for Hammer Residences in Wayzata, Minnesota. My employment as a DSP is one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of my life; I love the people I serve and the difference I make in their lives....
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