Virginia with Bruce from our Jersey home

In 1985, I was working at Dayton’s as a stock person and would work the floor and do sales when needed. I was having a bad day one day when Lisbeth Armstrong walked through. I believe she was Hammer’s Chief Program Officer at the time. We started talking and she told me about Hammer and encouraged me to apply. I accepted a full-time position working in the dorms, on the Afton floor. This was about two years before we began downsizing and moving into group homes.

I opened the Sumac home and was the house coordinator, which turned into a manager position a few years later. Then, I left for three-and-a-half years to do the same work over in Wales. My mother was British and married an American which brought her to Minneapolis. I have friends and family over there. One of which needed help with their autistic foster child. They asked me to come. There wasn’t anything holding me back, so I said yes.

When I came back to the US, I became a support staff at Hammer. Later, I transferred to our Lakeside home and then when Jersey was built, a team was put together of seasoned staff. I was one of them. I have been here ever since, which is about 20 years.

Virginia with Danette, supported by Hammer, at a 1980s Halloween dance

I had a sister with a disability who died when she was one year old. Because of her, my father joined the Board at Hammer for a few years. He was my first introduction to Hammer. What keeps me here are the relationships you develop with co-workers, the people we support, and their families. How I view this job is walking in the door and helping individuals live their lives. We live life with instead of living life for. I like to really get to know the people I’m working with and spot places that they can grow—I want them to grow to their greatest potential. I’ve said many times that I will walk through anything with them. We can learn skills together and they get more confident and become more independent. Families notice a difference and talk about the changes they see.

I have lifelong relationships through Hammer with my colleagues and the people I’ve supported through the years. I’m very thankful!

Virginia Carpenter is a Direct Support Professional at our Jersey home. She first came to Hammer in the 1970s when she did a month-long internship while in high school.

The Legacies magazine is being distributed to all those on our Discoveries mailing list. If you would like to receive a copy of Legacies and/or be added to our Discoveries distribution list, please email barbara.brandt@hammer.org. 

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Shortly after I began working at Hammer, I stumbled across a YouTube video of Jon Leverentz, that was filmed in his basement art studio in his Hammer home, talking about his love of art. Something about that video resonated with me. I shared it with my girlfriends and also asked my husband to watch it. It was just so pure and moving. Click here to view 

For over a year I had the pleasure of sharing an office with Eric Sage, who was part of our Training team and also program manager at Jon’s home. Eric kept a very touching photo of Jon at his desk that was special to him. We talked often about the shenanigans they got into together. They were quite the dynamic duo and Eric’s stories made Jon seem more enchanting than ever.

Shortly after Eric joined our team, I attended my friend Mitch’s holiday party at Hammer. I couldn’t believe it when after I sat down, Jon came and sat directly across from me. Really, what’s the chance of that? We talked throughout the entire dinner – about Jon’s love of painting and my love of photography. We giggled over a few Eric stories and secrets that Jon seemed more than eager to share. When we parted, he encouraged me to give Eric the “business” when I saw him on Monday morning.

Photo of the old red barn taken by Karen

A few weeks later, taking about what we both had done over the weekend, I showed Eric a photo I had snapped of an old red barn. Jon had been in a bit of a painting slump and Eric thought he could use a little inspiration. He asked if it would be okay if he shared the photo with Jon. Are you kidding me? How awesome would that be?

Much to my delight, Jon decided to turn that old red barn photo into one of his incredible works of art. He captured every detail exactly. It was truly uncanny how brilliantly he brought the photo to life. From watching that first video of Jon, to seeing the final artwork, an image I loved so much turned into a masterpiece – what a blessing for me.

Karen with Jon’s painting of the Old Red Barn

And about that “G” with his initials inside from the YouTube video? I do believe that God is watching over Jon. What a remarkable gift he has – and one that he continues to be able to share with all of us.

I was honored to be asked by Barbara Brandt, Director of Communications, to help Jon choose the pieces and assist in the installation of his artwork at the Institute of Community Integration on the University of Minnesota Campus.

Please join us to for the closing art reception in Jon’s honor on Thursday, September 14 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Pattee Hall. 

For more information: https://ici.umn.edu/art/.

The Old Red Barn Painting by Jon Leverentz is hanging at the University of Minnesota along with his entire collection of artwork.

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Watch the Video “When Andy Met Molly”

By Aaron Garcia, Program Manager at Lake Place Apartments
Andy and Molly first met back in 1981 when they were young kids at summer camp. The camp was discontinued after a few summers and they lost contact with each other. Fast forward to 2008 when Andy and Molly were reunited at Hammer’s Broadmoor Apartments. The story goes like this: Andy had just moved into his apartment and was walking down to be with his new friends in the community apartment. Molly was meeting friends to go out to dinner when she opened the door to leave, and there was Andy. Their eyes met and they recognized each other right away. Andy remembered her as “the girl with the pretty curls from camp.” Molly remembered him as “the cute little white haired boy.” A friendship immediately sparked, and the rest is history.

Support from Hammer
Just like all couples, sometimes communication can be a barrier, but it does not prevent them from working through their issues in a loving way. When a difficulty occurs and they have trouble communicating, a Hammer staff member or their guardians help them to effectively communicate their message to the other. The collaboration between guardians and the Hammer staff help to guide the couple to further develop and grow in their relationship. However, in the grand scheme of things, we have merely fostered love.

Sometimes Andy and Molly find themselves in the all-too-familiar couples dispute of where to eat on date night. The argument goes back and forth between the two, until Molly states, “Andy, shut up and kiss me.” Andy will often freeze after hearing this, then proceed to kiss Molly. After the kiss they smile at each other, then agree on where to eat. I find this quarrel very relatable to quarrels in my marriage; it is also one of the recurring petty squabbles between my wife and me. Love is patient, love is kind.

Andy and Molly’s Engagement Photo

The Proposal
Andy proposed to Molly on Christmas Eve 2010, and Molly gracefully accepted. They were married on August 13, 2016 at the Braemer Golf Course in Edina where they first met at camp as children.

Andy and Molly’s Wedding
On their wedding day the sky was blue and the sun was bright and shining. Molly wore a beautiful dress with a sparking silver tiara and white flowing veil. Her radiant smile lit up the room and warmed the hearts of everyone around her, especially Andy’s. Andy stood in high-esteem, dressed in his black tux and smiling from ear to ear as he walked down the aisle to marry his best friend, Molly. He was the groom, she was the bride and it was their wedding day; and their day it was!

Andy and Molly were lovingly surrounded by over one hundred of their closest friends and family members who were thrilled to be part of this joyous day. Their wedding was a dream come true. Speeches were made, toasts were given, and two loving families merged.

Many people helped to make Andy and Molly’s wedding their special day. The Lake Place DSP’s supported the couple by arranging transportation to biweekly pre-marriage counseling sessions and weekly date nights. Emily Miller, Hammer DSP, took on the role of wedding planner for the couple, making sure their wedding day was planned and organized exactly as they imagined. The day made a lasting impression on many people. Molly’s and Andy’s dreams and hopes are no different than other young couples who meet, fall in love and get married. Love knows no boundaries. The life you lead; is the life you love.

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The theme of last year’s Reach for Ralph benefit was “Making Dreams Comes True.” That evening, guests were able to help fund the dreams of a number of people Hammer serves. Robin, an individual I support, had a dream any lady would enjoy – a day at the spa. Her wish was generously granted by two generous donors for a day at New Reflections Spalon in Plymouth.

Robin was ecstatic about scheduling her day of pampering and relaxation. She chose to save it for one of the dog days of winter and had been looking forward to her day of beauty for months. So, on a chilly Wednesday in early March, Robin headed to the spa.

From the moment we entered the spa, the staff at New Reflections went above and beyond to treat Robin like a princess. Having never been to a spa before, Robin’s eyes lit up while we sat the waiting area. “Wow, this is so cool. I love it!” she said when she saw a large fish tank and elegant light fixtures. As you might imagine, I was loving all of this too! What’s better than sitting in the relaxing atmosphere of a spa seeing an individual you serve get so excited?
Robin’s day of beauty treatments included a massage, facial, haircut and manicure. The spa professionals (Sheri, Jaymee and Kimberly) each took extra time with Robin and went out of their way to connect with her, asking about her friends, family and cat. Robin got to choose the scents used for her massage and facial and even sang some favorite songs with her manicurist Sheri. After each service, Robin would come up to me and point to the employee exclaiming: “She’s my friend!” I had never seen Robin beaming with so much joy and happiness! At the end of her spa experience, the woman at the front desk asked what her favorite part of the day was. “The whole thing!” Robin replied enthusiastically.

When I told Robin I would be writing about her day at the spa, I asked her if she had anything to say. She overwhelmingly responded: “Thank you very much!” It was clear that Robin wanted me to share her gratitude to the wonderful donors who made her dream come true at Reach for Ralph. It was rewarding to see Robin so happy and appreciative of the experience, As a Hammer employee, I too am grateful for the donors who continually make special opportunities and dreams come true for individuals like Robin.

We hope you join us at this year’s Reach for Ralph on Thursday, July 23!

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