Our new “Celebrate a Caregiver” recognition program is a revisioning of Hammer’s former “DSP of the Month” program. Now more than ever, it’s important to recognize, thank, and celebrate the work all our caregivers provide to the individuals we serve. Each month, we’ll be asking Hammer’s and NER’s Program Directors to nominate DSPs and APMs on their team who are going above and beyond to make a difference in the life (or lives) of those they serve. One nominee from Hammer and one from NER will be selected each month and will receive their choice of a $25 gift card to Starbucks, Target, Holiday, or Cub Foods.

Karen McGowan – DSP at Hammer’s Zealand Apartments
Nominated by Program Director Kelly Bosch

Karen McGowan and Robin, who Karen supports

Karen has been a consistent and thoughtful caregiver for decades at Hammer. (In fact, she’s been with Hammer for 36 years!) Karen is always going above and beyond for the individuals at Hammer while always balancing their needs and wants. Karen gives the utmost attention to all eight individuals. She has been a loyal DSP at Hammer and a great team player who we are forever grateful for. She is always willing and eager to help with any task.

Karen not only supports the individuals so well, but she is also an invaluable team member that supports the whole team—most recently with new program managers that started at Zealand in 2021. She brings a positive attitude and energy every day and is creative and a great problem solver!

Emmanuel Effiong – Lead DSP at NER’s Allen Home
Nominated by Program Director Dustin Coyle

Emmanuel Effiong

Emmanuel has worked at NER for seven years and performs his job with precision and attention to detail. There have been numerous incidents where his attention to the detail of someone’s behavioral changes or status changes have saved the person’s life! He can see a seizure coming from a mile away—or when a person he supports is getting sick or is in pain. Emmanuel caught when two individuals had a status change and ended up needing surgery. He dedicates himself fully to the care of the individuals we serve and is an excellent advocate for them. He is gentle and caring with each person, and you can see the positive relationship in the way he interacts with them. Emmanuel is willing to train new employees, handles tasks with no complaints, and goes above and beyond for both house duties and caring for the people we support. Emmanuel comes in early EVERY DAY and picks up every weekend he has off. He helps his coworkers with tasks, provides excellent documentation, and does his lead duties and more.

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Michelle, Program Manager at Hammer

A little-known fact about the Hammer Program Managers – not only do they carry the responsibilities of managing a Hammer home, many of them also work regular direct care shifts. Michelle has been at Hammer for over four years and was recently promoted to Program Manager at our Zachary home. She still frequently picks up direct care shifts to help out with staffing shortages in other homes. Recently, Michelle worked a direct care shift at our 1st Ave home. A night that began normally ended with a wonderful gesture of kindness and generosity.

That evening, the individuals from 1st Ave had planned an outing to Perkins for dinner, so Michelle took them out to the restaurant. During dinner, a lively discussion about Christmas and holiday plans ensued, a favorite topic of conversation given the season. There was good food and good conversation, and everyone was enjoying themselves.

At the end of the meal, one of the men overheard the table next to theirs ordering pie. This sparked his own idea for wanting a slice of pie for dessert. Michelle reminded him that they were being careful to keep the cost of the meal down, so that they could afford to have lunch out at the Mall of America, their planned activity on Sunday. The man agreed, and the pie idea was dropped.

When it was time to leave, the group got up to pay for their meal. As they were paying, the woman at the next table over approached them. She introduced herself and said she was a paraprofessional in the Wayzata School District. She said she was so impressed with the interactions between Michelle and the guys during dinner that she wanted to buy them a pie to take home!

Michelle thanked the woman for the compliment but said the pie was unnecessary. The woman quickly interjected, insistent. She said she was impressed to see the positive interactions between staff and individuals living in a group home. Michelle and the guys graciously accepted the sweet treat to bring home and thanked her again.

On this week of Thanksgiving, we at Hammer have so much to be thankful for. Our fantastic staff members keep our programs running smoothly and effectively, and keep the individuals we support happy and successful. Our community and family members are supportive donors and volunteers. And sometimes, just when we think we have seen it all, we are once again humbled by the support and recognition from an unforeseen source. Not only did a stranger take the time to recognize and thank one of our hard-working staff, she also provided a wonderful example of kindness to the individuals.

Thank you to all of the strangers who go out of their way to provide random acts of kindness. Sometimes, you never know how much a small and simple action can mean to the recipient.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

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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. I am also a full-time student.

When I first applied for a job with Hammer, I told myself I would work here long enough to get back on my feet – 6 months tops. But within those six months, I fell in love with my job. Now, I cannot imagine myself working anywhere else. I have come to think of the individuals that I serve as my second family. I love joking around with my second family, going to movies or dances with them, having WII parties and many other things. But, it is not all fun and games. As a DSP, I also cook, clean, order and administer medications, drive to and from medical appointments and help with bathing, grooming and budgeting. I am trained to use a lift van, a Hoyer lift, stair lift (to transfer individuals up and down the stairs), bed baths and seizure protocol for one of the individuals that I serve. It is both rewarding and exhausting work.

Because of the wage structure, most of us who work in this field need to pick up extra shifts or have a second job in order to make ends meet. For those of us who are single parents, we sometimes go days without seeing our children. It’s unbearable for me not to see my daughter for days at a time because I have to work so much. It’s hard for me and her not to see be with each other as much as we would like, but that is how it has to be if we want to keep a roof over our heads and put food on the table.

A simple pay increase, of even 5%, would make a difference in all of our lives. I would not have to work so much, and I would be able to spend time with my daughter. It would also decrease DSP turnover, which would greatly benefit those I support.

Still, I continue to do this job because I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I believe it is one of the best things a person can do in their life. It matters to me and the people I serve.

So, please, help support a 5% rate increase for Direct Support Professionals in 2015 to better the lives of my daughter, my second family and myself.

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