By Sue Walker, Chief Program Officer James came to Hammer in 1948 when he was 11 years old. He had been living in an institution in Rockford, Illinois where he had a few relatives. They stayed in contact with him throughout the years by sending letters, and gifts on holidays and for his birthday....
Daniel and Diane Kirchoffners’ daughter, Denise, used NER’s respite program and later moved into an NER home. Daniel and Diane served on NER’s Board of Directors from 1991-1996. They share their story here: Denise started using the Northeast Residence respite program when she was 9 years old. That...
Jan is a Lead Direct Support Professional at our 1st Avenue home in Plymouth. Throughout her career, Jan has worked at many of our homes including Carlson (when it was located on the Hammer campus), Tyler, Cedarwood, McGlinch, Garland, Jersey, and Wentworth. I’m sure I had no idea when I went...
New interpretive novel encourages subconscious “play” We have a new author among us! Nicole Schumacher, who provides direct care support at one of our east metro homes, has created an interpretive novel, “Mind the Blackhole.” Now, you may ask, what is an interpretive novel? “It’s a wordless novel...
In honor of Hammer’s 100th anniversary and NER’s 50th anniversary, we have published Legacies, a special anniversary magazine, celebrating our history, the people we have supported, and those who have made our mission possible all these years. Here is one of the featured stories: NER pioneered a...
In honor of Hammer’s 100th anniversary and NER’s 50th anniversary, we have published Legacies, a special anniversary magazine, celebrating our history, the people we have supported, and those who have made our mission possible all these years. Here is one of the featured stories: In 1985, I was...
In honor of Hammer’s 100th anniversary and NER’s 50th anniversary, we have published Legacies, a special anniversary magazine, celebrating our history, the people we have supported, and those who have made our mission possible all these years. Here is one of the featured stories: To...
In honor of Hammer’s 100th anniversary and NER’s 50th anniversary, we have published Legacies, a special anniversary magazine, celebrating our history, the people we have supported, and those who have made our mission possible all these years. Here is one of the featured stories: Ann...
In honor of Hammer’s 100th anniversary and NER’s 50th anniversary, we have published Legacies, a special anniversary magazine, celebrating our history, the people we have supported, and those who have made our mission possible all these years. Here is one of the featured stories: Bob...
The County Road F home is home to four great ladies. Three have lived together for many years. Jeanne Ottman is the home’s Program Manager. She has an extensive background working with people with autism and has worked in the field for 35 years. She worked for other group homes and PAI (a day...
In 2019, Hammer’s Communication team was doing some research on Alvina Hammer, founder of Hammer School, which later became Hammer Residences, and was interested in locating the resting place of our founder, who passed away in 1965. We discovered that her ashes were buried in her husband’s...
In honor of Hammer’s 100th anniversary and NER’s 50th anniversary, we have published Legacies, a special anniversary magazine, celebrating our history, the people we have supported, and those who have made our mission possible all these years. Here is one of the featured stories: Ralph...
In honor of Hammer’s 100th anniversary and NER’s 50th anniversary, we have published Legacies, a special anniversary magazine, celebrating our history, the people we have supported, and those who have made our mission possible all these years. Here is one of the featured stories: Two...
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (Sept. 10-16) is a great opportunity to highlight our dedicated, caring, and innovative direct support professionals who are the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. It’s important to recognize and celebrate the amazing and often...
A Look Back at Hammer School It’s back-to-school season and as today’s children head back to class, we take a look back at Hammer School, founded 100 years ago, and share some memories of the school and its pupils. Alvina Hammer founded Hammer School in 1923. Alvina had worked as a nurse at...
My big brother Tim, now 65, has lived at a Hammer & NER group home called First Avenue for seven years. It was our mother’s dream to get Tim into Hammer & NER and she spent two decades working to make that happen. When Tim finally was able to move into First Avenue, Mom would often say she...
Each of our Hammer & NER homes is unique because of the people who live and work there. Each month we will “showcase” one of our homes (or apartment programs) and celebrate the people who live there and the staff who support them. In this edition, we would like to introduce you to the people...
Summer is a great time to be outdoors with family and friends. Who doesn’t love gathering for a picnic or finding a fun spot to go swimming? We know lots of folks at Hammer & NER who do! This summer is a particularly special one for getting together as we celebrate Hammer’s 100- and NER’s...
Greg Johnson’s presence will live on at the place he called home Greg Johnson lived at our Hwy 96 home in White Bear Lake for many years. He came to NER and our convent location in 1989, moving from the state institution in Faribault. Greg was a quiet gentleman who enjoyed the simple things,...
By Mary Gaasch, Director of Advocacy & Community Relations U.S. Representative Dean Phillips volunteered as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at our Carlson group home in Wayzata on Monday. During his visit, Rep. Phillips worked with the people we support to serve them lunch and cleaned up...
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