On Sunday, March 30, I saved my husband’s life. 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...
I joined Hammer & NER as the Chief Development Officer on January 2. Starting right after New Year’s Day made it feel like I was taking on a big New Year’s Resolution. The role is responsible for leading the fundraising efforts that support our work. I joined the Hammer & NER team as an...
Faith communities provide spiritual nourishment By Jennifer L. Hipple and Joe Cullen, Communication Specialists Spirituality can help people with disabilities feel a sense of belonging, purpose, and comfort and can support them during difficult times. Here we share the stories of ministries that...
Longtime community partnership holds rich tradition If you are fortunate enough to have a friend you have known for 30, 40, 50 years or more, you know what a special gift you have. You have weathered challenges and changes together, celebrated one another’s successes, and learned from each other....
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...
Each of our Hammer & NER homes is unique because of the people who live and work there. The “Showcasing Our Homes” profiles celebrate our homes (and apartment programs), the people who live there, and the staff who support them. Let’s learn about the Nelson Place home in Minnetonka! The Nelson...
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...
Caricature artist creates joy and laughter If you have attended our annual Family Day Picnic (held in September), you’ve likely noticed one of the most popular attractions are the caricature drawings. People make a beeline to sit for their likeness to be drawn by artist Cindy Berglund. Cindy was...
Recent Comments