Her Smile Lit Up Times Square! By Joanne Heller Our daughter, Jennie, who recently turned 47, has resided at the (east metro) Cedarwood home for 24 years. Throughout her life, Jennie, who was born with Down syndrome, has struggled but persevered. When she was starting to crawl and grabbing things,...
Each year, we present Community Partner Awards to individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact on the lives of those we serve, or whose efforts have greatly supported our work. Since 1993, we’ve recognized 70 nominees who serve as role models of compassion and service as well as...
Congratulations to Bill Pugh, Christine Hagen, and Pam Norman! Each month, we ask our west metro (Hammer) and east metro (NER) Program Directors to nominate Direct Support Professionals and Lead Direct Support Professionals on their team who are going above and beyond to make a difference in the...
Make sure your vote counts! This year, all of our statewide offices are up for re-election. We’ve also had redistricting this year, which means big changes in many districts. Legislators who are re-elected will get to know new districts, and Hammer and NER will have upwards of 50+ new...
Join Us for Our Fall Breakfast! Everyone is gearing up for our Fall Breakfast this Saturday at the North Metro Event Center! A BIG thanks to our talented crafters for creating the decor. Thanks to Tony, Adam, and Matt from our 14th Ave home; Carla, Cindi, Stefanie, and Amy from our Rockford home;...
Dan Bottiger is Director of Information Systems for Hammer Residences and our sister organization, Northeast Residence. Dan got his start at Hammer working part time while in high school. His 32-year Hammerversary is coming up, so we decided to talk with him about his Hammer experience. How were...
Cooking up a Friendship Each year we present Community Partner Awards to individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact on the lives of those we serve, or whose efforts have greatly supported our work. Since 1993, we’ve recognized 70 nominees who serve as role models of compassion...
By Kathy Ganzer, Sarah’s Mom Hello, I’m the parent of a beautiful daughter, Sarah, who has found her second home at Hammer. While we’ve been part of the Hammer family for just over a year, it has already made an incredible difference in Sarah’s life. Hammer is a very special place and...
Thank you to all of our Direct Support Staff! Each month, we ask Hammer’s (West metro) and NER’s (East metro) Program Directors to nominate Direct Support Professionals and Assistant Program Managers on their team who are going above and beyond to make a difference in the life (or lives) of those...
by Nate Reed, NER Development, Fundraising Manager Northeast Residence has been fortunate to receive grants that enhance our ability to provide services. In 2021, a grant from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation supported our efforts to improve technology and increase communication...
Congratulations to Quita Kialain and Paul Roberts! Each month, we ask Hammer’s (West metro) and NER’s (East metro) Program Directors to nominate Direct Support Professionals and Assistant Program Managers on their team who are going above and beyond to make a difference in the life (or lives) of...
by Ellen Timmerman-Borer, Chief Development Officer “We are friends.” That is what Deb Gjoraas and her husband, Jake, say about Carla, Cindy, Stephanie, and Amy, the four women who live at Hammer’s Rockford home located in Plymouth. For 20 years, Deb has been giving the ladies piano lessons, going...
by Nate Reed, NER Development, Fundraising Manager I had the opportunity to sit down with Kelly and Theresa Daily at the Allen home in Little Canada as they prepared to pick up their son, Willie, for his daily visit to their home. “While we love having him come home daily,” Theresa says, “we know...
We recently presented our annual Community Partner Awards to individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact on the lives of those we serve, or whose efforts have greatly supported our work. Since 1993, we’ve recognized 70 nominees who serve as role models of compassion and service...
HAMMER’S EDUCATION GRANTS SUPPORT CAREER DEVELOPMENT by Jennifer L. Hipple, Communications Specialist When Johnetta Sumo was just 8 years old, she wanted to be a doctor. Growing up in Liberia, she saw her mother pass away at a very young age. “They weren’t able to help her,” Johnetta...
EDUCATION GRANTS HELP HAMMER EMPLOYEES SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY by Jennifer L. Hipple, Communications Specialist To know Momo Johnson is to be inspired by him. Momo has worked at Hammer for 18 years. He is a fulltime Direct Support Professional (DSP) at our Jersey home and also picks up shifts at our...
Congratulations to Julia Barnhill and Kevin Heroff! Now, more than ever, it’s important to recognize, thank, and celebrate all of our dedicated caregivers. Each month, we recognize Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Assistant Program Managers (APMs) who are going above and beyond to make a...
NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY TO LEND A HELPING HAND by Cathy Thoma, Director of Volunteer Resources Do you have a small team of friends, family, or coworkers who like to cook and are interested in a fun, quick, and easy volunteer opportunity? We have just the thing for you! Our new Cooks in the...
A BIG thanks to our friends at the Sun Sailor for sharing the news of our recent Reach for Ralph fundraising event. We are so thankful to all of our sponsors, attendees, and awesome volunteers who helped make the evening a BIG success. Thank you! Hammer’s Reach For Ralph raises more than $300K |...
Painting is an outlet for this creative soul By Jennifer L. Hipple, Communications Specialist Josh Buell loves to paint and he’s pretty creative! The walls of Hammer’s Jersey home in Golden Valley, where Josh has resided for the past year-and-a-half, are decorated with his work. Being an artist...
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