That’s how we felt when our son, Justin, moved into his own apartment at Plymouth Colony in August 2020 and our family became part of the Hammer family. Like you, we have read of other families’ Hammer stories and been inspired by them. Now, we would like to share ours with you. Our family has...
Tuesday, March 8 is Disability Services Day at the Capitol It’s time once again for the annual Disability Services Day at the Capitol! Like last year, the event is completely virtual. You can join the virtual “Rally in the Rotunda” on March 8 at 10 a.m. After that, there are many...
If it wasn’t for a faulty credit card at the checkout counter at Target, Wade and Michelle Hartmann, who both work for Northeast Residence (NER), might never have found love. Wade Hartmann was at Target one day, buying supplies for the group home where he worked when his charge card wouldn’t go...
Thanks to Donors Like YOU Jon is Doing Well. The past two years have been tough for many people. For my brother, Jon, it was particularly devastating. In March, 2020, Vonnie Olson, our mom, had a heart attack and died. 79 days later Pastor Orville Olson, our father, died of Covid. Jon was stunned...
By Cate Saracen Peters, Director of Workforce Development at Hammer For the past two years we’ve had the opportunity to send Hammer’s emerging leaders, (current and newer managers), to ARRM’s Leadership Institute. Graduates this year from Hammer are Chelsey Lavold, JoMarie Williams, Abdul Qayyumi...
Every Fall we celebrate National DSP Appreciation Week. You can still make a gift to honor a caregiver. We raised $30,000 in donations from 53 donors so far!! Along with the gifts came these very kind words for our caregiving team. Thank you Sam for making sure the guys of First Avenue have good...
Can you imagine a world without Hammer? You know what? I can’t. If you can believe it, I started working at Hammer on the weekends when I was a college student finishing up my social work degree. That was 44 years ago. I never planned to stay so long, but I fell in love with the people. Hammer...
“We have a strong commitment to serve and support Hammer & NER programs, the amazing people they serve, and their caregivers and staff,“ says Alex Greene, Director of Business Development at Geritom Medical. “We want to be in the community, not solely as a pharmacy, but as a strategic resource...
By Angela Bernhardt, Director of Major Gifts Hammer Residences is excited to welcome Twin City Heating and Air back as a sponsor of Hammer’s Reach for Ralph event. There’s a family connection between Hammer and Twin City Heating and Air. Business owner Wymond Wong’s wife, Julie Wesley-Wong, is a...
By Ashley Emerson (pronouns: she/her), Hammer Case Manager From the bottom of my heart and from the DEI Council, Happy Pride Month! This flag was designed by Daniel Quasar and includes the Trans Flag colors and Black and Brown stripes included to show support of the Black and Brown trans women who...
“The Plymouth Lions LOVE Hammer Residences because the people who live there are fantastic and those who work there are dedicated, loving people. Together, we make Plymouth one of the best places to live! Thank you for all you do!” -Katie Trafton, President of the Plymouth Lions There are more...
by Julia Christianson, Community Life Coordinator The third and final blog for Mental Health Awareness month focuses on the Mind and Body connection. The mind-body connection is by no means a new theory. For thousands of years, medicine has focused on this connection between what we do with our...
Over the past year, more than ever we have learned the importance of physical and mental health, and how these are truly intertwined in our everyday lives. We have been truly amazed by our staff and individuals who have gone above and beyond to keep each other safe, healthy and engaged. We need to...
Now more than ever, the day-to-day stress of life can lead to mental health issues. As the pandemic continues to alter our lives, it is important to find new and innovative ways to stay connected with each other. During these stressful times, we need to stay connected and be there for each other...
By Malik Mohamud, Program Manager at Hammer Residences There are more than 1.9 billion people in the world that identify as Muslim, and the blessed month of Ramadan means different things to each and every one of them! In the month of Ramadan, we refrain from food and drink and sexual pleasure in...
The Quality of Life Fund is used to enhance the lives of those served by Hammer. Oftentimes it’s for something big, like medical needs not covered by insurance, and sometimes small but necessary things like a new pair of walking shoes. And sometimes, it’s used to brighten someone’s day. Gabe lives...
By Cari Sheley, Donor Services Coordinator at Hammer Residences On March 20, 2021 the world lost a wonderful person: Claire Hinrichs. She was a volunteer for Hammer for many, many years, always eager to help with her husband Don, and then after Don’s passing, with her sister Betty. She reached...
By Donny Gromek, Family Member and DJ It has been my greatest honor to bring music to the people at Hammer Residences throughout the years. In Hammer’s early years, I watched kids grow into teeny boppers, and then as they grew into adults. They are so excited to see me; their faces light up...
By Joe Cullen, Communications Specialist After working for over 20 years as a reporter and producer in the cable television industry, I was looking for a career change. I knew that I wanted to stay in communications creating media. I also was especially keen on finding a job at a nonprofit where I...
By Ken Harper, Program Director My journey to Hammer started over 29 years ago, when I moved to Minnesota from Louisiana with the plan of getting a job at Hazelden. My background is in chemical dependency treatment, and I thought I would continue on that path in Minnesota. When I first got to...
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