Watch the story of Alex and Leo, brothers and Special Olympics Unified Doubles Tennis Partners. Together, they have won the Special Olympics Minnesota State Tournament twice in a row, and are on track for a third gold this year. Leo lives in a Hammer home, and lives a full life revolving around...
The four people in the house where Alex works, live almost exclusively with physical disabilities and are sometimes a little more reluctant to participate in activities. Circumstances such as weather, prep time, transportation, and accessibility all make getting out of the house difficult,...
Hammer Idol, A Judge’s Perspective Written by Angela Bernhardt, Director of major gifts, and Hammer Idol judge. The excitement was high, with individuals supported by Hammer, staff members, and even members of the Board of Directors gathered at the central office for the second annual Hammer...
Hammer is a unique company that supports their employees’ passions, and I’ve been privileged to take advantage of that support. Let me explain. My name is Maggie Bauer. Along with being the assistant Program Manager in one of Hammer’s apartment programs I am also a Certified Grief Recovery...
Betsy Gadbois – Director of Person Centered Practices Owakihi Betsy will be presenting at the Hammer Family Education Forum on Thursday, May 5th. Sign up to attend the Family Education Forum here. Person Centered Planning is a term used to describe a variety of approaches used to help a...
In Its Third Year: HAMMER’S FAMILY EDUCATION FORUM GETS A FACE LIFT! Thursday, May 5th 5:30p to 8:30p Click to RSVP by Monday, April 25th. What’s New? 2016 Brings about engaging ways for you to connect and contribute at Hammer’s May 5th Family Education Forum. After a light dinner, join us...
The following is a guest article written by Special Olympics Board Member and brother, Jamie Spencer. Have you ever witnessed a stranger perform a gesture so simple yet impactful that it left a lasting impression on you? I’d like to introduce you to “Johnny the Bagger” and his story. Why is such a...
By: Samantha Cantrall, Communication Specialist at Hammer Lois Curtis is an African-American artist and activist who has an intellectual disability. She currently lives in her own home in Georgia, with the assistance of Home and Community Based Services. Lois enjoys working on her art, selling her...
By: Regan McGowan, Program Manager at Rockford Hammer Home Last January I had the chance to visit the Mephibosheth Special Needs Home just outside of Port-au-Prince Haiti. I wrote about my 10-day experience of loving on the kids who have varying physical and/or developmental disabilities. As soon...
by Brian C Kelly, Individualized Community Services Manager at Hammer Back in the summer of 2013 Karen Trygstad from the Hammer training department, saw me in my St. Louis Park baseball gear on the way to practice and it lead to us meeting and connecting over our love of the game. Karen’s two sons...
By: Kevan Nitzberg Parent Member on the Hammer Board Public Advocacy Committee Member As a teacher at the high school level I know how sports can help to build community, self-worth, and leadership for the participants as well as the fans. My wife and I have seen how important sports have been to...
People with disabilities have a great deal of talent that can sometimes go unrecognized. Sometimes, all it takes is a keen eye and thinking outside the box to make something that seems ordinary, into something extraordinary. The Ask Jan Hopper, manager at one of the Hammer homes, recently asked...
Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Woody and the Nitzberg families got together to fill a need that was not being met in the Wayzata area. That need was to provide kids with special needs the opportunity to get involved in sports. After meeting...
Read the Winter 2015 Discoveries in our new format!
Read more“Hammer Declares 2016 the Year of the Smile!”
“Hammer Declares 2016 the Year of the Smile!” Hammer has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation. The grant funds will be used to purchase electric toothbrushes, power flossers, and anti-cavity rinses to fight germs that cause gum disease help the...
Sometimes, a simple act of kindness is all it takes to brighten someone’s day! The sheer goodwill of people can be both comforting and humbling. Last Saturday at Black Oaks, one of the individuals living there suggested going to lunch at Lion’s Tap Family Restaurant in Eden Prairie....
Written by Adley Lemke, Hammer volunteer and 3rd year pharmacy student at the University of Minnesota & Melissa Hutchins, Program Manager, Zealand apartments. To learn more about Hammer’s people-centered approach visit www.hammer.org. Introducing Patient Centered Care Adley: Needle...
By Tim Eshelman, Director of Environmental Services You know how it is, when you are busy with your life, rushing to get everything you need to do done, and then suddenly something happens to you that makes you stop in your tracks and think: wait a minute, did that really happen? I want to share...
By Self-Advocate, Amber My name is Amber. I am 29 years old, and I have an intellectual disability. Because of this, I live in an apartment in Plymouth where I receive support from Hammer Residences. I am very independent and like to be active. I am a Special Olympics athlete, and I work as a...
By Terriann Matejcek, Director of Advocacy & Volunteer Resources I first met Alden when he was a member of Hammer’s self-advocacy group “Power People.” Each meeting, he brought with him many local papers and spent time coming up with great ideas for how the group could promote better living...
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