Christ Memorial Lutheran Church and Hammer & NER Our official partnership with Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in Plymouth may have started in 2023, but its roots trace back to the 1990s when Kim Mesun first heard of Hammer Residences. At the time, Kim was serving as a Minnesota Assistant...
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...
Finding and maintaining a job brings satisfaction, purpose, and a social outlet for many. Here are a few stories of people who greatly enjoy their jobs and whose contributions and presence are appreciated by their employers. Laura B. (City of New Brighton–Eagles Nest) Laura, from our Currie...
A life in full bloom 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...
Exploring what “community” looks like When we think of the word community and what it means to us, I think it’s safe to say that we would all define it a bit differently, or would we? On a cold January day, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two of the individuals we support at...
Nurturing community through the seasons of life Providing people with a sense of community often means understanding their needs and desires and walking alongside them to create a world that nurtures the essence of who they are. As people grow older, we know that for many, their worlds will become...
Why I became a trip leader My sister and I didn’t have much while growing up. Our parents worked odd hours to make ends meet, but no matter how hard it was for them, we were able to enjoy fun family vacations. I have fond memories of going to Universal Studios and riding the Backlot Tour...
Sharing the journey of a sibling with special needs Michelle Olson is a Hammer & NER Board member. She and her husband, Steve, utilized NER’s former respite program to help care for their daughter, Tiffany (Tiff), when she was younger. Their other daughters, Chrissie and Nikki, grew up...
Decades of devotion have nurtured fulfilling lives At Hammer & NER, our mission is to provide person-centered support to all those we serve through the highest quality of care. The faces behind the direct support in the homes are pivotal to this mission succeeding. For 17 years, Emily...
Dear friends, I would like to share a story about the positive and life-changing impacts of the relationships our staff have with those we support. Justin joined the Hammer & NER family in November 1997 when he moved into Cottage Place (now 9th Ave), gradually moving to the Cope House (now...
In 2009, Martha Gschneidner was preparing to send her youngest son to college. Desiring to give back to her community with her added free time, she sought out volunteer opportunities. This desire to give back would lead to 15 years of volunteerism and generosity with Hammer & NER. Through...
A sister’s devotion ensures he lives his best life Julie Wesley-Wong is Vice President of the Hammer & NER Board and chairs the Board’s Advocacy committee. Her brother, Mickey, joined the Hammer family in 1978 when he moved into the boys’ dorm on the Hammer campus. Recently, she sat down with...
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