I love a good story. I’m guessing you do too. It’s one thing I love about Hammer – their wealth of good stories. Hammer is all about people, and people make the best stories.

I’m a graphic designer and communications consultant, and I started working with Hammer a little over a year ago. In that time, I’ve helped Hammer put together a new brochure highlighting the organization and created materials for the annual meeting as well as for last year’s Reach for Ralph fundraiser. And, I’ve worked with the Communications team at Hammer to redesign their Discoveries magazine using photos and text to more clearly focus on the people of Hammer.

Along the way, I’ve had a front row seat for hearing a bunch of great Hammer stories. From the individuals who have called Hammer family all of their lives to stories about friendships between volunteers and the people Hammer serves. From the Direct Support Professionals who work hard to understand needs and do their jobs well to people like Director of Communication Tony Baisley who left the corporate world to promote work in which he believes. And of course, there are a wealth of stories of regular people who with some support from Hammer, live independently, find jobs, make friends, and enjoy the little things in life.

In my design business, I primarily work with nonprofits because I like supporting organizations doing work that closely align with my beliefs. I love my clients! My work is oftentimes behind the scenes. But, I have the opportunity to make a difference to organizations by helping them figure out how best to get their message out – how to tell their stories and use images for the best impact – and in the process, connect to the community, spark interest in volunteering, and encourage donations.

Some things I’ve noticed about Hammer:

The people I’ve met have all been warm and genuine.There is a strong dedication to each individual they serve and support is always given in a professional, classy manner. The organization seems to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for supporting people in living their lives and treating them with dignity and respect.

In the materials I’ve help put together, I’ve seen true appreciation and care for all who work at Hammer. All employees are respected for the amazing work they do in jobs that can be very challenging.

I look forward to continuing to learn and grow in my work with Hammer – and to hearing more inspiring stories.

Jennifer Larson is a graphic designer and photographer based in Minneapolis. Her business is Jennifer Larson Communications Design. Link: https://www.jenniferlarson.net/

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Giving back.

It’s one of those things we all hear we should be doing, and deep down many of us truly want to do. However, it can be hard to choose a cause.

You have to ask yourself:

1) What do I care about?

2) What do I want to be doing in my spare time?

3) What brings me fulfillment?

What’s even harder is once you find that cause, sticking with it.

As a volunteer at various organizations throughout the past decade or so, for me the reason I do it has always been about the connection I’ve felt with the people I’m volunteering with.

But Hammer changed the game for me. The connection I feel to both the residents I’ve volunteered with and to the organization itself is a whole new experience that, for fear of sounding cliché, has changed my life.

I first heard about Hammer at a volunteer fair, of all places, when I had just moved to Minnesota. In college I’d volunteered with disabled persons at Passion Works Studio in Athens, Ohio, a small Appalachian town home to Ohio University. I would stop in, clean old newspaper metal and watch the inspiration flow through the hands of true artists – who happened to be paralyzed in a wheelchair or have a cognitive disability – yet far sharper than I could ever be with an artistic mind expressed through a paintbrush.

It was at that point I knew I had found a cause I cared about #1: Check.

When I moved on to my first job out of college, I began volunteering again in my spare time at Opportunity Enterprises located in Valparaiso, IN. Opportunity Enterprises, like Hammer, is dedicated to helping people with disabilities live enriching lives. There I found joy once again being around such an inspiring environment. #2: Check.

These wonderful, inspirational experiences are what motivated me to actually seek out an organization serving people with disabilities. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect fit.

Despite the fact that I spent several evenings a month volunteering as an exercise partner to one amazing, funny, caring woman in particular…then a few more nights as a softball coach, communications committee member, marketing member for the Reach for Ralph gala (see how they just stick with you!)…what has stuck with me about Hammer, and keeps me coming back, has been their true appreciation of everyone they come in contact with.

From the individuals Hammer serves to the program managers, to staff at the central office, to the families and the volunteers – all of them, every single one – truly cares. They care about the people. They care about the mission. And that shows – verbally and through the lovely collection of watercolor cards designed by those Hammer supports sent to my house just to say “thanks.” Hammer is really the one I should be thanking.

My relationship with Hammer has recently evolved to a whole new level, as I’m now the lucky one who gets to work with Hammer and its “lean and mean” communications team. In my professional life, I work in public relations at Weber Shandwick, a global public relations agency. Hammer was chosen as the Minneapolis office of Weber Shandwick’s pro bono client of 2015, which means I get to help tell Hammer’s stories to the Twin Cities and beyond. With this year marking the 25^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we have a lot of ideas and a lot of great stories to tell. To say I’m excited is an understatement.

Hammer brings me fulfillment and I simply can’t wait to share their inspiring stories. Fulfillment: Check.

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