By Cate Saracen Peters, Director of Training and Education “Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” -Mattie Stepanek At Hammer we often talk about the heart of the matter. What exactly, is at the heart of what we are trying...
By Kristin Pyka, Accounting Director The election this week has been eventful, to say the least. Many races were decided by margins that were the slimmest we have seen in some time. In the end, the Republicans control the Presidency, House, and Senate on the federal level. In Minnesota, the...
My name is Pat Peterson and my youngest brother Kelly was moved to a state institution when he was very young. That happened in the 1960s to some people with developmental disabilities who could not be cared for by their family. Kelly was born with Down syndrome, and was not very healthy when he...
By Katie Binning, Recruiter Hammer’s vision of “Respecting Abilities, Reaching for Opportunities, and Realizing Dreams” extends way beyond the people we support. The Hammer culture is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all our employees. We are especially proud that 25% of our employees...
By: Terriann Thommes, Director of Advocacy and Volunteer Resources It’s that time of year… a time to get informed, exercise our rights and to encourage our sisters, brothers, daughters, sons and people we serve and volunteer with to VOTE! Of course, it is neither ethical nor our place to sway or...
Pictured above: Left to Right, Back Row: Jim Warner, Bill Forga, Nonna Forga, Allison Warner, Bob Warner Left to Right Front Row: Sandy Warner, Nonie and Jim Warner, Carla Warner By: Barbara Tuckner Every year, the Little Sisters of the Poor in St. Paul would make the trek to Warner’s Stellian...
Helping people find a place to call home is the business of Coldwell Banker Burnet, and giving back to the community is part of its business culture. The company mission statement includes the language: Positive Experiences for our Customers and Communities. With community support in mind, the...
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...
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