When Mitch and Judy Marie Ringe began thinking about their son Chris’s future, they knew they needed to find a place where he could thrive long after they were no longer able to provide daily support. In 2017, Chris moved into a Hammer & NER group home, and the experience has been, in Mitch’s words, “fabulous ever since.”

Chris quickly found his stride—working at Lunds & Byerlys, competing year-round in Special Olympics, and building strong friendships, including with his longtime girlfriend, also supported at Hammer & NER. “If Hammer & NER’s goal is to help people achieve the best life possible, Chris has that,” Mitch shares. “He epitomizes Hammer & NER’s vision of quality of life.”

Mitch and Judy Marie at the launch event of our Campaign, Together, We Ensure Tomorrow

That deep personal connection has fueled Mitch and Judy Marie’s active involvement. Judy Marie volunteers regularly, and Mitch joined the Board of Directors three years ago, now serving as Board President. For the Ringes, supporting Hammer & NER is both a way to give back and a way to ensure Chris and his housemates continue to receive the best possible care.

“From the beginning, it’s always been important for us to support the people who support Chris,” Mitch says. “The staff are outstanding, and everything Hammer & NER does is focused on helping people live their best lives.”

That belief is also why Mitch and Judy Marie have committed to Hammer & NER’s fundraising campaign, which is focused on preparing for the future needs of the people served. Mitch notes that as individuals with disabilities age, they often experience health challenges earlier and may require greater levels of care. “For Chris and others, that future may come sooner than we think,” he says. “This campaign ensures we’ll be ready—with homes that are accessible, staff who are equipped, and resources in place to continue providing excellent care.”

Chris relaxing in an Adirondack chair that he and Mitch crafted

Looking ahead, Mitch sees both challenges and opportunities. On the near horizon are uncertainties around state and federal funding, but longer term, the organization must prepare for an aging population and the need for new, innovative care models. “Hammer & NER has always been forwardthinking,” he says, pointing to the apartment program as an example. “We need to keep that spirit alive as we plan for the next century.”

For Mitch, his vision for Hammer & NER’s future is rooted in gratitude and hope. “Judy Marie and I know Chris will outlive us,” he says. “What gives us peace of mind is knowing Hammer & NER will continue to be there—keeping him safe, active, and living the best life possible. That’s what this campaign is about.”

In his free time, Mitch loves reading, traveling, hiking, and being outdoors and on the water. He plans to retire soon and is looking forward to seeing what the next adventure is.

The post A Family’s Commitment to a Future of Care appeared first on Hammer.

Hammer & NER recently named Warners’ Stellian, a long-time partner and friend, as a recipient of our Community Partner award.  

The Warners’ Stellian name is a familiar one across the Twin Cities. Perhaps not as well-known is the fact that Warners’ Stellian has supported the disabilities community by providing jobs to people with disabilities and being an active donor to Jack’s Basket, a nonprofit that supports families with babies born with Down’s syndrome. In addition, Warners’ Stellian has long supported the mission of Hammer & NER. For years, Warners’ Stellian has partnered with us to provide appliances to our group homes at the best price and as quickly as possible. They are also major sponsors of our annual “Reach for Ralph” fundraiser. Recently, matriarch Nonie Warner and the family created the Jim and Nonie Fund in support of Hammer & NER’s Employee Excellence Endowment, which provides employee education and training along with grants for post-secondary education and employee assistance to respond to unexpected hardships and emergency needs.

For the Warners (shown above), there is a family mindset for supporting people with disabilities. Nonie Warner’s niece, Janet (first row, center), has been supported by Hammer & NER since 1981. The family can always be counted on to “show up” where they can, to help.

Hammer & NER recently named Warners’ Stellian and Nonie Warner, as recipients of our Community Partner award. The award recognizes those that have made a positive impact on the lives of the people it serves, or whose efforts have greatly supported the organization’s mission to provide people with intellectual and other disabilities the opportunity to live life to its fullest.

Hammer & NER is proud to celebrate Warners’ Stellian for their support of individuals with intellectual and other disabilities.

The post Celebrating Long-time Supporter Warners’ Stellian appeared first on Hammer.

Teri Lutzke

My husband, Chris, and I had gone to bed. I was on my phone and Chris was sleeping with his CPAP mask on. He then sounded like he was snoring, which shouldn’t happen if a CPAP is worn properly. I elbowed him, telling him to fix his mask. The snoring continued, and as I sat up and looked over, I saw he was in distress. His face was purple, and he wasn’t breathing. I immediately told Chris I was calling 911. Our daughter, Taylor, heard the yelling and came upstairs to see what was wrong. Chris had partially slid off the bed when he stopped breathing, and now he had slid off onto his side on the floor. Pleading with the 911 operator to send help, my next move was to get Chris on his back to start CPR. Taylor helped me move things and get her dad on his back. I started CPR. The operator was just a blur, and I just remember screaming “Send someone please, we can’t lose him!”

It was just seven or eight minutes until the first responder arrived and took over CPR for me. It does take a lot out of you very quickly. Once EMS and firefighters arrived, they used an AED and had to shock Chris three times to get his heart started. He was then rushed to the hospital in Wyoming where he was placed in a medically induced coma while they figured out what had happened. The doctors stated this was a “reset” to help his body and mind until they could see what course to start on next. Due to the severity of the situation, Chris was moved to M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina. We discovered he had norovirus. My daughter and I had been sick with it the month before, but we didn’t know he had it; he didn’t show any symptoms. However, he became severely dehydrated and his body wasn’t flushing out the toxins, which triggered a respiratory event due to all the buildup and then he went into cardiac arrest.

The doctors told us I had broken seven of Chris’s ribs while performing CPR that night. I remember feeling and hearing them break. But the doctors said that’s how you know you’re doing it right; that’s the amount of pressure required to keep electrical activity in the heart—that’s why the first responders were able to restart Chris’s heart with the AED. It’s hard to know you’re hurting the person while you’re trying to help—it’s hard to wrap your head around that.

Chris was in the medically induced coma for three days. Thankfully he didn’t have any cognitive impairment. An angiogram showed there were no blockages. In 2018, my husband had an emergency triple bypass due to blockages. Due to the unknown surrounding this incident, they placed a defibrillator (that also has pacemaker abilities) in his chest.

The cardiologist told us it came down to the CPR being what saved my husband. We learned that if people go into cardiac arrest in a hospital setting, only 25 percent survive. If it happens at home, only 3-5 percent survive it. We feel incredibly lucky that we are part of that 3-5 percent and that my husband is still with us. Chris is just 41 years old. Our daughter will graduate high school next year. She needs her dad, and I need my husband.

A couple of weeks went by, and the first responder stopped at our home to meet Chris, and we were able to say thank you. He told my husband he knew with what Taylor and I did, and what we said, that he was loved. He said this is not the typical outcome these cases have, and he was so happy this one had a happy outcome. He said he held his breath as the AED was put on my husband and then he heard “shock advised” and he knew what a good sign that was and it was thanks to he and I doing CPR.

Teri with her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Taylor

I want to turn our family’s experience into a positive one to help other people. I remember back when I was a DSP and thinking “Oh, I gotta go do another CPR class,” but honestly, having that knowledge and just being able to do it—you can save someone’s life. What I learned about CPR has made the difference in my everyday life.

My husband now tells people that I saved his life not only when we met, but that there is absolute proof that without me, he wouldn’t be here. He calls me his hero. My daughter recently performed in a play and dedicated her performance to me and her dad saying, “For my dad for powering through no matter what comes at him and for my mom for saving him.” My person is still here because of CPR.

Knowing how to perform CPR is important for everyone. All of us should have that skill in our back pocket. All of our direct care staff are trained in CPR and we encourage our office staff to take the training as well. We are working on training Hammer & NER staff who could lead CPR classes for family and friends at a discounted rate. Please watch for more information. Or look for a CPR course in your community.

Teri Lutzke is Hammer & NER’s Director of Human Resources. 

The post My CPR Story appeared first on Hammer.

Hollie from our Rollingview home had fun at The Club’s Pizza-Making Party.

Over time, Hammer & NER’s Community Life activities have truly created a sense of community that keeps growing stronger. These events are designed for everybody: inclusive, welcoming, and all about making sure everyone feels like they belong. People come for all kinds of reasons: to hang out with friends, try something new, or just to get out of the house and have fun.

Our volunteers are a huge part of this community. They genuinely enjoy connecting with the people we serve, and they always show up with positive energy and a smile. Many of them have formed meaningful connections and keep coming back, year after year. For example, one of our Thanksgiving volunteers, Vikki Dodds (in the header photo), has made the event a tradition for herself. “I have volunteered at the Thanksgiving dinner for four years now,” Vikki says. “I really enjoy the people supported at Hammer & NER. I receive much more than I give, plus I get to share in the meal!”

The Smith family enjoys volunteering at our annual Family Day Picnic. Their brother, Mike, is supported at our McGlinch home.

We also see many friendly faces returning each year to volunteer at our Family Day Picnic, including the Smith family, whose loved one, Mike, is supported at our McGlinch home in Wayzata. “The annual Family Day Picnic is a fun-filled event you don’t want to miss,” says Mike’s sister, Mandi Smith Brandon. “Our family volunteers wherever we are needed, from food serving to the cake walk—you name it. The joy on the faces of everyone is contagious. The event is so heartwarming, gratifying, and loads of fun!”

“The Club” Supports Friendship & Fun
A new and growing part of Hammer & NER’s Community Life program is the Day Supports program (a.k.a. “The Club”) that takes place Monday-Friday at our East office in White Bear Lake. The program was developed to help fill in the gap for people who no longer had a day program to go to after COVID-19. The Club provides those we support the opportunity to hang out with their peers, enjoy community outings, and participate in activities that are physically and mentally stimulating. Together, they are experiencing a renewed sense of community.

It’s clear that Community Life activities have become more than just events—they’re a space where friendships are made, fun is had, and people feel connected. Whether you’re attending, volunteering, or just stopping by, there’s something special here that keeps everyone coming back.

The post Community Life Nurtures a Person-Centered Community appeared first on Hammer.

By Ted Wentink & Erin Dunn

Our daughter, Jessica, started her Hammer & NER journey 12 years ago when she moved into the Lake Place apartment program. Although she was 26 years old, we were hesitant to have her leave home, but we also wanted Jessica to develop an independent lifestyle with a close circle of friends. We knew that at some point in our lives, we would not be able to provide everything she needed. We wanted to do everything possible to set her up for success.

We remember when we first met with the team at Hammer to discuss whether Jessica was a candidate for their independent living program. They were so supportive and informative. They painted a picture of how Jessica could realize her dream of living independently, while growing her peer group and forging new relationships. A light bulb turned on for us and we were able to envision what this would mean for Jessica.

Now, 12 years later, Jessica has developed an independent lifestyle with a close circle of friends. We have seen our daughter fully bloom. Hammer & NER provides a variety of activities including cardio fitness, bowling, dances, healthy cooking classes, and more. They also coordinate transportation to and from work and day programs. They track Jessica’s healthcare needs and manage her finances. Each day, everyone gathers in the staff apartment to enjoy dinner and to talk about their day.

Jessica has told us some of her favorite memories include the Hammer Travel trips. Every year, we go through the brochure, and she picks a trip. Last fall, Jessica did the Colorado Excursion, which included the Georgetown Loop Scenic Railroad ride as well as visiting the Boulder area. The staff that accompany travelers have always been outstanding.

When we think about Hammer & NER, we know that they serve the most important needs for people. They provide homes—real homes. They have provided Jessica with a sense of independence, and everyone has become part of the family. As parents, they have given us peace of mind.

(Photo above: Jessica, Ted, and Erin enjoy taking family vacations to ranches where they move cattle and participate in ranch rodeos. Jessica is building her riding skills through the We Can Ride therapeutic riding program.) 

The post Jessica’s Story appeared first on Hammer.