Thank you to everyone who joined us for Fall Family Fest!



It was wonderful to bring together the people we support, families, guardians, employees and friends for a day of connection and celebration.

Take a look at some of our favorite moments from the day by clicking this link.

We want to thank our amazing sponsors who helped make the Fall Family Fest possible: Premier Banks, Plymouth, MN Lions Club, and Wings Credit Union! We’re also grateful to Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association and its Operation Round Up program for generous grant support through our Quality of Life Fund.

Thank you for being part of the Hammer & NER community and helping make our first Fall Family Fest so special.

After an incredible 45 years with Hammer & NER, our longtime colleague and Employee Success Coach, Cate Saracen Peters, has officially retired!

Throughout her remarkable career, Cate served in a wide variety of roles, bringing dedication, compassion, and a wealth of knowledge to everything she did. Her versatility and commitment to our mission have left a lasting impact on our organization and the people we support.

Most recently, Cate served as our Employee Success Coach, sharing her decades of experience to guide, mentor, and encourage team members as they grew in their roles.

Cate's contributions to Hammer & NER over the past 45 years are immeasurable, and her warmth, wisdom, and leadership will be greatly missed. Please join us in thanking Cate for her extraordinary service and wishing her all the best in a happy, well-deserved retirement!

September 13-19 was Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week, and Hammer & NER celebrated the dedicated team members who make a difference in the lives of the people we support every day!

Throughout the week, we showed our appreciation in a variety of ways, including special treats, blanket and cookie deliveries, daily prize drawings, and messages of gratitude. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize the compassion, commitment, and hard work our DSPs bring to their roles.

Direct Support Professionals are at the heart of our mission, helping people with disabilities live full, meaningful lives while fostering independence, building relationships, and creating opportunities in their communities.



While DSP Recognition Week comes around just once a year, our gratitude extends throughout the year. Thank you to all our incredible DSPs for everything you do to make a difference!

Each month, our Program Directors select two DSPs of the Month as well as a Program Manager of the Month. We appreciate all the skills, dedication, and care they bring to those they support.

Congrats to (clockwise from upper left), Steve Watanaskul from our Arrive apartment program, who was selected as the PM of the Month, and to Nathaniel Sieh (Gramsie), Angie Brooks (Cedarwood West), and Konnah Feahn (Cedarwood West), who were selected as our September DSPs of the Month. Learn more about them on our blog.

State Representative Peter Fischer (District 44A) recently visited Hammer & NER's Allen home in Little Canada, where he had the opportunity to meet with staff and learn more about the important work happening in our homes every day.

Legislative visits like this provide valuable opportunities to share firsthand the impact of disability services and highlight the vital role Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play in helping people with disabilities live full, meaningful lives.



Thank you to Rep. Fischer for taking the time to visit, listen, and learn more about our mission, and to our staff for helping share the Hammer & NER story!

We have several employees celebrating significant anniversaries this month.

Pictured are: Jason Franklin (DSP, 30 years) and Tomeko Champion Patrick (PM, 25 years).

Celebrating 10-year anniversaries are: Sam Forkpa (DSP), Hinda Ibrahim (DSP), Chelsea Lavold (PM), and Olutoyin Mustapha (DSP).

Celebrating 5-year anniversaries are Tom Juenemann (IT Specialist) and Oladimeji Fakanlu (Lead DSP).

Congratulations and thank you for all that you do!

Hammer & NER is excited to welcome Colleen Godfrey as our new Employee Success Coach!

Colleen brings a wealth of experience in coaching, stress management, and helping people navigate life's challenges and transitions. Throughout her career, she has supported individuals through difficult situations, helped healthcare teams manage change, and operated her own independent coaching practice.

In her new role, Colleen will work alongside Hammer & NER employees, providing encouragement, guidance, and resources to help them navigate challenges, strengthen communication skills, and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Colleen believes in the importance of building meaningful relationships and creating supportive spaces where people can grow and thrive.

"I'm delighted to join Hammer & NER as your new Employee Success Coach," Colleen shared. "What I've learned is that most people need someone steady beside them while they figure things out."



Please join us in giving Colleen a warm welcome to the Hammer & NER family!

Each month in Happenings, we spotlight some of our favorite photos of the people we support enjoying their communities and everyday adventures.

Ryan, who lives in our Stone Creek apartment program, recently enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Paris through Hammer Travel! During his adventure, he visited some of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.

"My favorite part of Paris was going to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, which is the summit!" Ryan shared. He also enjoyed climbing hundreds of stairs at Notre Dame and touring a chocolate factory, where he sampled and purchased plenty of delicious chocolates!

Ryan shared several photos from his travels, including a couple with his trip leader, Katie Pease. Thanks for sharing your Paris adventure with us, Ryan!