Meet some of our Angels:

Mary Bradley and the County Road F gals

Mary Bradley has been volunteering with the four women at our County Road F home for three years. She takes the time to make each person feel special by giving each one a special, “Mary Saturday” that they look forward to and plan. It means so much for each person to be the center of attention. Mary was recently honored at the Spring Breakfast with a Community Partner Award in recognition of her extraordinary dedication to Hammer & NER.

“Until it was mentioned at the Spring Breakfast, I had not been aware that I could do a monthly automatic donation to Hammer & NER. I already donate in that way to a few causes that are near to my heart, and I knew instantly I needed to add Hammer & NER to the list. The work they do and the dedication they show is so inspiring, I can’t think of a better thing to do with my money!”

Sisters Susie and Rebecca

Rebecca Furnival’s sister, Susie, was served by Hammer for many years, beginning with her time at the Hammer School in the 1960s. Rebecca was a long-time Board member and active volunteer. Although she and her husband, Ron, spend much of their time in Arizona, and sadly Susie passed away in October of 2020, Rebecca remains a loyal supporter and a monthly donor.

“I became my sister, Susie’s, guardian in 2011, the year she turned 50. She had been living in a less than ideal situation in rural Wisconsin. I knew if she moved to Minnesota we would try to find a home for her at Hammer. I continue to donate monthly to Hammer & NER because Hammer changed not only Susie’s life but mine and my sister, Sarah’s, lives. We were able to love Susie and her staff provided her daily needs of living. Susie lived her life to the fullest. Her group home was her family. I want to assist Hammer & NER so that they can continue their vital mission for another 100 years.”

Angela and George Bernhardt

Angela Bernhardt worked in the Development Department of Hammer & NER since 2013. She had an insider’s perspective on how important donated dollars are to the organization and donated via employee payroll deduction program for many years. When she was getting ready to retire from Hammer & NER and move with her husband, George, to Alabama, they signed up to be members of the Alvina’s Angels club as monthly donors.

“I want to remain connected to the many people I got to know during my 10 years in the Development department. I know that my giving has an impact on the lives of others, unlike my monthly giving to Netflix and Audible which only impacts myself. Giving directly and automatically from my bank account is an easy way to support an organization that is very important to me.”

Duane and Kristin Pyka

Kristin Pyka is Hammer & NER’s CFO. She grew up in Long Lake and has known about Hammer Residences most of her life. Her neighbor had a daughter who lived at Hammer School. When Kristin saw an ad that Hammer was hiring for a Finance position 18 years ago, she applied. “I love how Hammer & NER supports both the people served and their staff,” Kristin says. “Reaching your dreams and living life to the fullest is not just for the people who use Hammer & NER’s services!” Kristin and her husband, Duane, feel it is important to give back to our community. “We support Hammer & NER with monthly and annual gifts because we understand the importance of consistent, dependable funding to ensure the sustainability of programs,” Kristin says. “While basic staffing needs are covered by government funding, the quality of services and innovation are funded by our gifts.”

Will you consider becoming a monthly donor? Even a modest amount can make a difference. Please visit our website to learn more: Hammer.org/monthly-giving-angels

The post Alvina’s Angels: Monthly Givers We Know We Can Count On appeared first on Hammer.

I am my brother’s legal guardian and biggest cheerleader!

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 our mother’s sudden death. She died after attending church before her assisted living stopped activities for the Covid lock down. Dad was living in the same facility. Jon and I were not allowed to visit our dad due to the lock down, but thanks to hospice care we were able to talk on the phone. Saying goodbye was very hard, but it gave Jon and me closure. Fortunately, Jon had a good support system with family and Hammer caregivers.

Before moving into a Hammer home in 2009, Jon lived at a couple of different group homes. We were not happy with his living situation until Jon moved to Hammer. My parents then felt like their prayers had been answered.

They finally felt they had found an organization that valued people with disabilities.
My parents were big supporters of Hammer and strong advocates for people living with a disability. They died knowing that Jon would be well taken care of at Hammer. It’s been almost two years since we lost our parents, and we are coping. Because of your generous gift to Hammer, Jon has continued to live at his Hammer home with the loving support of his staff.

Jon likes to bake cookies and cakes with caregiver Sixxy. He is proud of his new kitchen your donations made possible.

Coping with Covid
The folks at Hammer helped Jon get through this very tough time. Jon is coping the best he can. As a very social person, it has been hard. Because of Covid, his outside day program closed and he wasn’t able to go to church… two things that gave his life meaning. Activities and regular contact with his peers are important to him. He is currently on a waiting list to get back into a day program.

The caregivers at Hammer have gone above and beyond to engage Jon with activities in his home. He enjoys doing puzzles, watching movies, coloring, gardening, weeding the yard, baking and helping staff with meal prep.

Jon prides himself on helping out around his home. In 2021, thanks to donations to the Hammer home improvement fund, Jon’s kitchen was upgraded with new kitchen countertops.

With staffing shortages, I realize how lucky Jon is to have consistent caregivers who genuinely care about him. With your financial help they have made a commitment to high quality staff.

Jon has a strong bond with the caregivers at his home. Coleace, Gabriel, Sam, Sunday and Sixxy, take turns getting Jon out of the house. Jon likes to go shopping at Walmart, Barnes and Noble and getting coffee at Caribou. Jon also likes going out to restaurants, an activity he does regularly with staff and/or family.  Jon likes to participate in Project Soar events, Hammer bowling and visiting his Hammer friends.

Jon has the tools and support he needs to stay connected to friends and family.

Staying Connected to Family
Technology has also helped Jon cope with the loss of our parents. His phone is a lifeline for him. He has many friends and he talks to them a lot. I talk to him every day for a daily check in. Once a month, Jon joins a Zoom meeting with cousins, with help from Hammer staff, as a means to stay connected.

Jon likes hiking, biking and swimming. Once we all got vaccinated, we were able to take him hiking in all kinds of places in Plymouth. After vaccines, we resumed bringing him to our cabin for long weekends to spend time with family and jump in the lake!

Taking care of Jon
In addition to keeping Jon engaged, Hammer helps keep Jon healthy. Hammer’s dedicated nursing team provides in home care. Hammer has arranged for him to get all of his Covid vaccines and the booster shot as well. Thanks in part to a grant from Delta Dental Foundation of Minnesota Jon has been able to have major dental work completed over the past few years, and he will have access to additional funds if the need arises.

With a little help from caregiver Sunday, Jon gets up and down the new stairs safely.

Safety is our top priority
In 2021, thanks to donors like you Hammer installed new stair treads at Jon’s home. They are far safer for him and his housemates and will last far longer than the carpet that was replaced. We both really miss our parents but they made plans for Jon, and I’m honored to carry out their wishes. We had their memorial gifts specified for Hammer, which they would have wanted.

Thank you for giving Jon and everyone served by Hammer the support they need to live safely and comfortably in their homes despite hardships.

With Gratitude,
Beth Bouman, Jon’s sister

The post Jon is Thriving Because of You! appeared first on Hammer.

Cindy and Michael Scheller Family

Cindy Scheller is a member of Hammer’s Volunteer Hall of Fame. She has given 1,965 hours of her time in her nineteen years at Hammer. Most of that time was spent with Kelly, who has become a part of her family.

Cindy says, “Our family finds joy in being advocates for people with disabilities. Kelly has taught us about this and we our so thankful for his big heart and love. Kelly is a blessing that goes beyond words!”

The Scheller family spends time with Kelly going out to eat, or hanging out at home with the entire family for holidays. Sometimes Kelly spends as much as a week with the Scheller family during the holidays. He has a special spot on the couch, where he sits to open presents on Christmas morning with the family.

Read the news article in The Press.

The Klug Family

Chris and Peggy Klug have been active volunteers with Hammer since 2005.  For the last six years, both Chris and Peggy have been volunteering with Bruce. Chris does not think of it as volunteering. Chris says, “Bruce and I have a friendship. He is family to me. My favorite memory was the first time Bruce called me his friend.” Program Manger Theo Nah agrees. “Chris and Peggy consider Bruce a part of their family. They never miss a scheduled activity.”

Bruce spends each Thanksgiving at the Klug home for a family get together and dinner. During the Christmas holidays, Chris and Peggy will work with Bruce to get and wrap all of Bruce’s gifts, just to make Bruce happy. Between them, they have given over 892 hours of service. Before leaving the nest, their daughter Tracy also volunteered and accrued over 68 hours of service. That equals 960 volunteer hours for the entire Klug family.

Read the news article in the Minnetonka Sun Sailor 

The Bailey Family

Anne Bailey has been served by Hammer Residences for more than 40 years. Through the years, her family has worked with Hammer to provide Anne with a loving, caring, supportive and educational environment. Anne came to Hammer as a teenager needing to learn life skills. With the help and support of Hammer caregivers, she has grown into an independent, mature adult able to live independently at Stone Creek apartments. Anne now holds a steady job, maintains significant relationships and regularly participates in community, social and church events. Anne is supported and encouraged by her family to learn and grow to her full potential.

Her siblings, Leigh and Linda love and care for Anne, and have a deep sense of responsibility for Anne’s physical and emotional welfare. They have never thought of Anne as being less deserving of the same opportunities they both have in whatever form that takes. Supporting Hammer through board service and financial gifts is a demonstration of the Bailey family’s gratitude and gives them a way to help Hammer provide Anne with the chance to live life to its fullest.

Claire and Rob Alber Family

Claire and Rob Alber have 1,192 combined hours of volunteer service between the two them. They have volunteered in various capacities at Hammer, from support service roles at special events to their current role as direct service volunteers with Ted, a man supported by Hammer. Ted really enjoys their company and looks forward to their monthly outings, which consist of going out to Ted’s favorite restaurants. Sometimes, Claire and Rob come to Ted’s home and cook a delicious meal for Ted and his housemates so they can all enjoy a meal together. It is very clear that because of Claire and Rob’s service and commitment to their role as volunteers and Hammer, Ted is experiencing a fuller, more social life.

Read the news article in The Sun Post

Paige Goedderz and Carla

Paige Goedderz started volunteering with Hammer in 2013 when she was a freshman at Wayzata High School. Paige has accrued over 166 volunteer hours. She wanted to become more involved in her community and to make a difference. According to then Rockford Program Manager Regan McGowan, “Carla’s volunteer, Paige, has been awesome! She really tunes into what Carla likes to do. They have gone to the movies, for walks with her dog, out to breakfast, fishing, ice-skating, and enjoy making crafts.”

Paige’s favorite memory is going to Carla’s Special Olympics swim meets with the rest of the Rockford ladies. Paige has said that by volunteering she has not only made a difference in Carla’s life, but in her own as well. “It doesn’t feel like volunteering. It is a friendship. It has made me a better and happier person.”

 Read the news article in the Lakeshore Weekly News.

Andrew Ervin

Andrew Ervin’s Human Services career has spanned over thirty-seven years. He was a Program Manager with Hennepin County from 2007 to March 2017, when he worked in partnership with Hammer Residences. During the last seven years of his career, his main focus was on developmental disabilities case management and annual assessment work. During his time at Hennepin County, he was also a member of the Long-term Services and Supports Management Team.

During his career, Andrew led a team of experienced and dedicated supervisors in a period of rapid change. He played an important role in supporting the expansion of housing and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Andrew’s work was also focused around the development of residential opportunities for individuals coming out of institutional care and with extraordinary behavioral and/or medical needs. Because his work encompassed a variety of areas, Andrew worked closely with many providers, one of which was Hammer Residences.

The post Community Partner Awards 2017 appeared first on Hammer.

Kelly as a baby

Kelly was born with Down syndrome, and was not very healthy when he was a baby. He had pneumonia more than twenty times before his second birthday. With additional family problems, my mom simply could not take care of him. Kelly became a ward of the state and was put into a state institution. The separation was so painful, our family never kept in touch with him.

In 1975 at the age of 13, Kelly moved from the state run institution to Hammer. Everyone loved to be around Kelly with his big and fun-loving personality. He had staff that took great care of him and a stable, safe, and secure environment to live in. Kelly thrived at Hammer. It never would have been like that if he had remained in our family’s care.

A proud graduate!

The staff at Hammer became Kelly’s family, helping him to learn and grow. They taught Kelly how to shave and reminded him to wear his hat and gloves during the cold Minnesota winters. Like a family, they also reminded him to use his manners at the dinner table, when a loud burp would have been a lot funnier to a table of young men.

Living at Hammer, Kelly was very active when he was a teenager. He played softball, was a Boy Scout, joined a weight lifting club, and went to lots of dances and parties.

It is only with the financial support of more than 1000 donors that Kelly has had compassionate staff and a safe home environment to become his best and true self! Others cared for Kelly when my family could not.

Reunited with my brother! I’m so thankful that Kelly has lived a full and meaningful life.

I came to understand just how important Hammer has been to Kelly when we reunited in 2006. We received such a warm welcome from the staff at Hammer. They helped us to reconnect after being separated for more than 40 years. Little by little, our relationship flourished and I came to realize that Hammer is Kelly’s home and his family.

With the diagnosis of Down syndrome often comes early dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as individual’s age rapidly. At age 53, Kelly enjoys dancing to rock music, but like anyone who is aging, he dances a little slower these days.

Your gift is needed today so Kelly can remain active, age gracefully and stay secure in his Hammer group home. 

Kelly has recently transitioned to Hammer’s McGlinch home in Plymouth, designed to accommodate his increasing needs. His home is equipped with ramps, hand rails, wide doorways, accessible bathrooms, and a handicap accessible van — all the things Kelly needs to stay active in his community, and age gracefully and securely in his home.

Your donation will help provide a lifetime of care and security for all the 286 people with developmental disabilities living at Hammer. Like Kelly, they will need assistance for a lifetime. Please give what you can today. Donate

Forever grateful for your support,

Pat Peterson

You can learn more about Kelly in this video.

The post A Sister’s Point of View appeared first on Hammer.

By: Barbara Tuckner

Every year, the Little Sisters of the Poor in St. Paul would make the trek to Warner’s Stellian during the holidays, and my uncle, Jim Warner would reward the sisters with some libations, food, and money to support their ministry. Even then, the family knew unequivocally how important it was to support those in need with a home for a lifetime. “He took the greatest joy in giving,” says my cousin Duffy (Jeffrey Warner) now president of the company, “He was absolutely giddy in his giving, and talks about the nuns’ visits still to this day.”

Sisters, Barb and Janet Tuckner

One can almost hear Uncle Jim’s voice in the annual hosting of the nuns while his many children look on in admiration and pride. More than likely, Uncle Jim shrugged off the nun’s accolades and proudly delivered a tasteful Catholic vs. Protestant joke. Of course, the Catholics always came out on top, and the nuns likely laughed heartily amongst all the gleaming, new appliances. The Little Sisters of the Poor continue their ministry with a promise to God to consecrate themselves totally to the service of the elderly poor. To this day, Warner’s Stellian supports them on their mission.

Warner’s Stellian also generously supports Hammer Residences. Uncle Jim and Aunt Nonie have yielded gifts to Hammer that extend the length of the eleven family member clan. In addition to private family donations, Warner’s Stellian has sponsored the Reach for Ralph event for the past several years, contributing many coveted items to the silent auction. Additionally, their attendance at the event to bid on sweet trips, outings, and private chef parties, adds tremendously to an evening that drips with happiness and inspiration.

Left to Right: Nancy Timp, Janet Tuckner, Barb Tuckner, Peter Tuckner, Kathy Wallraff, Jack Tuckner, Jean Modjeski. Not pictured: Chris Porcelli, Mary Ongstad, and Paul Tuckner

To see this generosity extended to Hammer warms my heart beyond words and has my sister Janet, served by Hammer in the Avana Apartments, in full brag mode throughout the year. Indeed, it has the entire Tuckner clan in full brag mode as well.

It is with gratitude and love that I thank Uncle Jim, Aunt Nonie, and all their children for showing up so generously within the Hammer community. Long may you and your business thrive and may your children and grandchildren also be blessed with the joys that come with giving.

Fondly, Barb

Barbara Tuckner is the Immediate Past President for the Hammer Board of Directors. Her father, Jerry Tuckner served on Hammer’s Board and the Finance Committee for too many years to count.

The post Warner’s Stellian: Joyful Givers appeared first on Hammer.