fbpx

A March Toward Awareness

By Jason Jenkins, Wayzata Community Editor of the Sun Sailor Hammer Residences reflects on advances, obstacles as it celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Hammer Residences has made a mission out of giving adults and children with developmental disabilities the opportunity to live...

Read More

Rich Roots Grow a Learning Partnership

By Cate Saracen Peters, Director of Training and Education It’s no coincidence that Hammer’s leadership has always supported providing our family members with an avenue to expand their knowledge and network of connections related to their loved ones. You see, it is deep in our roots as an...

Read More

Big Adventures in the Big Apple

By Kelly Bosch, Program Manager New York City. This had always been Karen’s dream, always. And, Karen’s plans for this dream were not small. They included all the fun touristy things do to, but at the top of the list was auditioning for the historic Apollo Theater. For ten years, Karen has been...

Read More

Respect: the Other, Better R-Word

By Kris Miller, Self-Advocate My name is Kris. I have been supported by Hammer Residences for about 25 years. I would like to share some of my thoughts and experiences about bullying and why I hope everyone will stop using the R-word. I want you to know that no one should use the R-word. If you do...

Read More

My Life As a DSP

By Patience Zelee, Assistant Program Manager My name is Patience Zelee. I am a single parent of a six year old, and I have worked full-time as an Assistant Program Manager/Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Hammer Residences for seven years. I came to the U.S. from Liberia, West Africa, in 1998....

Read More

Hammer Conversations: A Look Behind the Camera

By Gerick Engle, Video Producer at EideCom I was first introduced to Hammer Residences in early 2014. At that time, I had been working part-time for EideCom assisting on video shoots and doing some filming. So, I was thrilled when I was offered me a full-time position as a Video Producer. The...

Read More

Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan: An Update

By Devin Harrington, Communication Specialist This past December, at the Department of Education, the Olmstead Implementation Office (OIO) held its bimonthly meeting. Subcabinet members and Dr. Darlene Zangara, Executive Director of the OIO, presented updates, the highlights of the bimonthly...

Read More

Tribute Envelopes: Creative Giving to Help Others

By Sue Oreck, Hammer family member My name is Sue Oreck, and I am the sister of Jeffrey Orenstein who lives at the McGlinch house in Plymouth. Whenever I go over to Jeff’s house, I see the wonderful staff that cares for the six individuals who call McGlinch home. I also see the amount of...

Read More

Are You a Natural?

By Wendy Paulson, Human Resource Specialist Have you ever been told “you must be special” when you tell someone where you work? They say that because not everyone can work in human services. What is it that inspires us to choose a helping profession or nonprofit work – even if that means a modest...

Read More

Quality of Life: An Incredible Gift

Bill Bieber and his family have been generous Hammer family members since 1990. With compassion for those we serve and insight about family’s needs, Bill and his family established the Quality of Life Fund in 1993 as a financial resource for the men, women and children with developmental...

Read More

Keepin’ It Simple

By Regan McGowan, Program Manager When I went to college, I started and ended with the same question – what do I want to do after school? I earned a degree in business, yet I hadn’t come up with an answer. Hammer has always been a part of my life. My mom has worked for this organization for over...

Read More