2015 summer discoveries

1 | Hammer Discoveries

Summer 2015

Sarah & James:A Love StoryThe story of a brief but memorable marriage full of humanity and so much love. 1

Imagine the Possibilities

7Champions of the ADA

2Don Pearson Fishing Trip

12

Discoveries

“We are not put into the world to sit still and know; we are put into it to act.”—Woodrow Wilson

Photo courtesy of Michael Moschogianis.


COLLABORATION IS KEY

I recently saw an advertisement for a documentary about a great inventor. It depicted him in an old photograph sitting alone in an equipment-filled lab. The image reinforced the common inventor stereotype: lone tinkerer always on the cusp

of a great discovery. We commonly think of inventors as those who toil away, solo, into the wee hours of the night searching for a new way to think about something.

Life has taught me that the truth is different. Inventors and innovators rarely, if ever, do their work truly alone. In today’s world, innovation and answers come from collaboration. Sometimes it is building upon the work of another, but more commonly, it is bringing together diverse ideas and experiences in search of a new path, together.

The world of disability services is no different. I do not think our industry has ever been in more flux than now. Some of that is driven by money and the desire to reign in the burgeoning growth on social services spending. Some of it is driven by the belief that people with disabilities deserve a richer life, like that which many of us enjoy. But the changing landscape is also being advanced by people with disabilities desiring more say in their lives and wanting a broader range of options. While the four-person group home still has a place for some, others are wanting something altogether different. It may be an apartment, a home of their own, a living arrangement with a friend, or even an inter-generational home with parents or others.

In employment, more people with disabilities desire competitive jobs in the community. And in their social life, there is a desire to make friends regardless of abilities. In other words, those we serve desire a life less segregated — as they should.

Hammer prides itself on operating within a culture of innovation. Since our founding, when Alvina Hammer believed the developmentally disabled should not be warehoused in institutions, to our introduction of the apartment program in 1975, to our person-centered approach today, we have helped thousands live the lives they have wanted.

Today, our work is efficiently carried out in collaboration with many essential partners. On page 9, you will read about Hammer’s participation in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). This collaborative work with other residential and employment providers and a physician’s group, searches for innovative ways to integrate social services with health care to better support the changing needs of the disabled. We partner with foundations, government agencies and individuals to assemble the financial resources for this work.

Collaboration is sometimes slower, but I believe it results in better outcomes. Hammer is committed to seeking out the right partners to provide the boldest and best services for those with disabilities. As always, we welcome your contributions to these new solutions.

With gratitude,

John Estrem, CEO

William Young PresidentSalesFitness, LLC

Joe Reis Vice PresidentColdwell Banker Burnet

Gregory Anderson TreasurerThrivent Financial

Kent Scholten SecretaryMerrill Lynch

*Barbara Tuckner Immediate Past PresidentTuckner Consulting, Inc.

*Jerry Caruso University of Minnesota

George Daum Microsoft Corporation

Lisa DongoskeCushman and Wakefield

*Rebecca FurnivalCommunity Leader

*Joe KoltesUS Home Source Realty

Janet LerchUS Bank

Michelle LureenFidelity Bank

*Kevan Nitzberg Anoka-Hennepin School District

*Nino PedrelliReal Estate Advisory Services

*Al TennessenRetired

Bruce VolkartVolkart May & Associates, Inc.

*Alan WilenskyAttorney at Law

BOARD OF DIRECTORS * Indicates Hammer family member

LEAD

Hammer DiscoveriesManaging Editor

Tony Baisley, [email protected]

Staff ContributorsTony Baisley, Angela Bernhardt,

Katie Binning, John Estrem, Mary Gaasch, Devin Harrington, Kris Miller, Hannah Pietrick, Julane Rose, Ellen

Timmerman-Borer

With special editing support from Julane Rose

Graphic DesignJennifer Larson

>>

John Estrem out in the community, collaborating as usual.


Hammer Discoveries | 2

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities

Act (ADA) into law, protecting the civil rights of those with developmental and physical disabilities. As the world’s first declaration of equality for those with dis-abilities, it was a significant victory, one that Lisbeth Vest Armstrong remembers celebrating with tremendous joy.

Armstrong, who lobbied for the ADA in Washington, D.C. in 1990, recalls, “how important it all felt…to be able to advocate for people with disabilities and talk about rights we needed to uphold. I remember the jubilation when the law passed.” It’s no surprise the ADA provided such powerful emotions. It was meant to break down the barriers that prevented integration of people with disabilities into society and to end the sometimes abusive institutionalized care for this population that began in the 1820s. While the ADA specifically addressed barriers to housing, employment, education and access to public space and services, it more poignantly offered an opportunity for men and women to live the lives they wanted. “It’s interesting…My career has spanned the same time in our nation’s history when people with disabilities have come into their own,” notes Armstrong. “Thankfully, we have evolved to a time when men and women with disabilities are able to live independently with the support they need to achieve their dreams.”

This opportunities made possible by the ADA for individuals to ‘achieve their dreams’ is the focus of Hammer’s new video series debuting in July. Hammer is marking the anniversary by sharing stories of those who have chosen a career in disability services and have become, through their vocational work, “Champions of the ADA.”

When asked to share memories, the eager staff at Hammer had an abundance from which to choose. Ellen Timmerman-Borer recalls witnessing a touching reunion, between an individual she supported as a young man and his long-estranged family, that came about through the facilitation of his direct care staff. “I saw Kelly walk up to a sister he had not seen in more than 30 years, and take her face in his hands, and lovingly give her a kiss,” says Timmerman-Borer through tears. “It was such a blessed moment.” While not all of the stories shared are as heart-rending, they are of no less significance. Some seemingly ordinary moments, such as taking a cab

or trying Chinese food for the first time, carry enormous weight for individuals who 25 years prior, would perhaps not have been able to enjoy these rights of passage. Devin Harrington says these are the stories he enjoys telling most. “It’s those ordinary things that people do every day to help one another that is at the core of the ADA,” Harrington states in his video interview. “It’s more than the textured sidewalks, or the ramps. That’s great, and provides access to one facet of life, but everything else we try to do at Hammer brings accessibility to every aspect of life.”

As we mark the ADA anniversary celebrating the progress made for individuals with disabilities, it is also a time to plan for an even better future. “When new legislation occurs, culturally, it can take as many as 25 years for beliefs to follow,” believes Terriann Matejcek. “We need to be as visible as possible, in the media and out in communities, to educate about what inclusion and true integration means.” Echoing many at Hammer, Matejcek firmly believes: “We are up to the challenge!”

CHAMPIONS OF THE ADAWhy the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act MattersBy Hannah Pietrick, Assistant Program Manager, Day Program

TO KNOW MORE >>Visit www.facebook.com/HammerMN to view all ADA Champions videos starting this July.

* Indicates Hammer family member

ENGAGE>>

Lisbeth Vest Armstrong, Devin Harrington, and Ellen Timmerman-Borer

Kelly reunites with his sister (right) and meets his niece for the first time.



Some people are born knowing what they want to

do, how they can make a living and contribute

to society. Rose Rizzi is one of those people.

“I always wanted to teach,” Rizzi recalled recently as she reflected on a career that has spanned 40 years at Hammer. “Working with individuals in our homes, you are teaching skills that can enable one to live an independent life. I believe that we pass along the knowledge that we have. It is not meant for us to keep to ourselves.”

The era of Rose Rizzi began on April 24, 1975, when she accepted the role of ‘House Mother’ at the Hammer School boys’ dormitory. By the next fall, Rizzi began supporting Hammer’s fledgling apartment concept which consisted of eight apartments in a building on the Hammer campus named after Evelyn Carlson, who had recently retired as Executive Director. Not only was apartment living a new offering, it was basically unheard of in the disability services field. Rizzi was hired as Hammer’s first Apartment Training Instructor. Hammer approached the apartment concept as a graduation of sorts. “You started on the lower boys’ and girls’ floors of the dormitories,” Rizzi recalls. “As you grew up and learned necessary skills, you’d progress to the men’s and women’s floors. Then you could consider the Carlson group home, or independent living in one of the apartments.”

“When I started, there were no education materials, per se, to teach individuals to live independently,” Rizzi recalls. “So we started from scratch and it was a blessing. It gave me another opportunity to teach. I taught cooking, cleaning, budgeting, as well as pedestrian and personal safety,” Rizzi fondly remembers.

“I can still picture most of the little boys I supported over the years... Patrick Henry, David Pierce, Bruce Duffney,

Kevin Solinger, Jim Davis and Kelly Collier — and each of these men are still with us today!”

One can only imagine the stories Rizzi must possess. “Before my first interview, young Peter Ferguson took me by the arm and gave me a tour of the old Hammer School. It was the perfect introduction, and I was hooked!”

Over so many years, it is inevitable that certain individuals will attach more firmly and permanently in one’s heart. “It is now 23 years since Kathy Becker has passed away. (Sadly, Becker was involved in a traffic accident.) I still have our

By Tony Baisley, Director of Communication

In the early years: Traveling with a group of the earliest apartment individuals to the Apostle Islands.

Imprints on the Heart


photographs and then there are the sheets of ‘Things To Do’ paper she made for me. On each line she drew soft, separately spaced wiggly lines that remind me of how a secretary would take shorthand. One drawing she gave me features six flowers, three the same shade of blue as her winter coat,’” Rizzi says softly, momentarily lost in her own thoughts. “The artwork reminds me of her: dainty, gentle, a few words, but a pretty smile coming my way.”

Another individual who made an imprint on Rizzi's heart is David Bauman. “David came to Hammer School at the age of five and stayed with us for just two years before returning to live with his family. He was a cute little boy who was energetic, artistic and curious about life,” Rizzi shares with a smile. “It was always David's dream to live in Hawaii. And just last year, his family helped him realize that dream, moving him to Honolulu where he has a sister. How wonderful!”

“Not only did these individuals put their trust in me, so did their parents,” asserts Rizzi. “I don't know what each of them went through. I always tried to understand, to listen and to help them however I could.” As a result, Rizzi has

maintained long-time relationships with a few different parents over the years.

“I have worked alongside Rose for more than 30 years,” says Lisbeth Vest Armstrong. “She is someone who has given her all to the people we support. Rose’s impact will live on forever in the many lives she has touched here at Hammer.”

After a career that has seen her wear many hats, Rizzi is now a department assistant and Hammer’s archivist. “I’m trying to preserve all that I can because I believe that every little piece tells a story.”

“I believe in Hammer. I believe in the work I have done and the work I am now doing. Through the years, it was important for me to give back through volunteering my time for Hammer, separate from my professional roles. I am thankful Hammer believed in me.”

“Many have come through the doors of our homes and many have left,” reflects Rizzi in her quiet signature style. “Here is a quotation that says best how I feel: ‘Some people come into our lives and quickly go... Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our heart and we are never the same.’”

Rizzi poses with beloved friends over the years: Kathy Becker (top) and David Bauman (right)

"Rose’s impact will live on forever in the many lives she has touched at Hammer."


My name is Kris. I have been supported by Hammer Residences for 25 years. I would like to share some of my thoughts and experiences about

bullying and why I hope everyone will stop using the R-word.

I want you to know that no one should use the R-word. If you do not know what the R-word is, R stands for Retarded, and I will only refer to it as the R-word going forward. It is an awful word, and it causes pain to many people, myself included. R should stand for Respect.

Stop saying the R-word. It hurts my feelings. Be respectful about disabilities. Be nicer. Treat us as normal people.

When I was in school, people teased me a lot. In high school, people put tape in my hair and spit on me while calling me the R-word. Someone even punched me in the stomach while calling me that word. That made me upset. It made me cry like crazy. When they called me the R-word, it made me feel ashamed, like I was less of a person.

I hear the R-word in the movies. I hear it in music and on television. I have to turn off the television or stop listening to the music. It is a painful, negative word.

Yes, I have a disability. But like everyone else, I feel really good when I am treated with respect. I think people do not always understand. I encourage people to ask me questions. I tell them I have a learning disability and that makes it hard for me to learn. However, I still have feelings and try very hard to learn. Things usually turn around for the better when people begin to understand. Afterwards, it can be a very positive relationship.

I want people who may be bullied to know that they can stand up for their rights. Say: “Stop saying that!” or “Be respectful and treat me like everyone else!”

I respectfully ask that everyone speak with words that are not hurtful and not allow others to spread the R-word. One person at a time, we can stop the use of this negative word! Make your pledge at www.r-word.org.

Respect: The Other, Better R-WordBy Kris Miller, Self-Advocate

“We are touched that Kris shared this story, but not at all surprised. We are very proud of her for speaking out to change the R-word to respect. If it changes even one person, then it is worth the effort!” — Barry and Mary Jo Miller, Kris’ parents

BLOG FEATURE >>

Kris and some of her friends from Zealand Apartments out for a night of bowling fun!

Kris made a variety of "Respect" bookmarks and donated the proceeds to her favorite charity — Children's Hospitals of MN.

TELL YOUR STORY >>Consider sharing your story on our blog, contact Devin Harrington at 952-277-2466 or [email protected].

Kris with her parents.


Ricky Jorgensen was a well-loved man. The oldest of five siblings, he possessed a smile that would light up his face. Family remembers him straightening

up shoes at the front door, even shoelaces! For many years, Ricky made his home at Hammer’s Kentucky home before he passed away in 2003.

“His Kentucky household was truly a family,” recalls sister Lisa Dongoske, the youngest of five siblings. “Nan, Michelle and all of that home’s residents were so connected, it was like a breath of fresh air. Ricky was finally safe and well-cared for.” But it wasn’t always that way.

When Ricky was 11 years old, his parents made the decision to send him to Fairbault State Hospital. “Group homes weren’t available at that time,” remembers Dongoske. “It was an extremely tough decision for us. We visited him every weekend and I saw first-hand the institutionalized way in which he was cared for. There were hundreds of bunk beds in a room the size of a gymnasium.” Sadly, Ricky was just one of many developmentally disabled children housed together because it was how services were delivered at the time.

“When he was older, Ricky was able to move to a group home. We were excited for him to get more personalized care,” says Dongoske. “Then a spot opened up at Hammer’s Kentucky home and that is where he happily lived his remaining days.”

Gail Dorsey, Dongoske’s sister, remembers one person in particular who made a significant impact on Ricky’s life. “We used to go to quarterly meetings at Hammer with Barb Matter and staff to address Ricky’s goals,” recalls Dorsey. “One of these was to help him verbalize himself. Ricky had a picture book he was encouraged to carry with him everywhere. When he came to visit, we would look at the pictures and he would try to say the word. He was so proud when he was able to communicate!”

As the years went by, Dongoske found herself wanting to give back. “I reconnected with Hammer in 2012. I had always admired the compassionate care my brother received while living with Hammer. Some of the staff have been at the Kentucky home for more than 20 years, getting to know all the individuals and treating them with dignity and respect.”

“I joined the Board of Directors that year, and it has been so eye- opening!” Dongoske reveals. “I feel like I am behind the scenes at Disneyworld; so many people working hard to serve our Hammer family.”

“Lisa’s passion for the work we do was evident the minute I met her,” states Lisbeth Vest Armstrong. “She understands our mission at the deepest level. I am so grateful for Lisa’s thoughtful contributions to our Board.”

“Being involved with Hammer is like an extension of my childhood,” believes Dongoske. “I always knew Ricky had special needs. I watched other people look at him. While they looked at Ricky’s differences, I saw my brother. I learned to look deeper at those like Ricky to see if they were happy and enjoying life to the fullest.”

The work Hammer does is critical. I believe families need to get more involved to advocate for state funding to ensure that these services can continue. I am grateful for the leadership of John (Estrem), Lisbeth (Vest Armstrong), Ellen (Timmerman-Borer) and others as they incorporate more fundraising strategies to ensure Hammer is there in the future.”

“I have been blessed to have a brother like Ricky. I love that my children got to know their uncle and experience him as they grew up,” reflects Dongoske. “Ricky was a true joy placed in our lives for a reason.”

TO KNOW MORE >>If you are interested in joining Hammer's Board of Directors, please contact John Estrem at 952-277-2422 or [email protected].

IN HONOR OF RICKYSpotlight on Lisa DongoskeBy Tony Baisley, Director of Communication

BOARD SPOTLIGHT>>

Ricky (back, right, with his siblings) always greeted people and would shake their hands. He was a happy man who loved spending time with his mom.

— Barb Matter


GIVE >>

By Ellen Timmerman-Borer, Angela Bernhardt and Julane Rose

Mickey Wesley, now 47, has called Hammer home since 1978. Supported by his loving parents, Mary and Dick Wesley, and his family of nine brothers

and sisters, 11-year-old Mickey arrived to begin his new life on the boy’s floor of the state-of-the-art Hammer dorms. He now shares his life with three other gentlemen in Hammer’s Wentworth home in Minnetonka.

Mickey’s life at Hammer is far beyond what was imagined when doctors told his parents shortly after he was born to “just put him away in an institution and forget about him.” Mickey was born with Down syndrome.

Mary Wesley believed so much more was possible for her son. Ultimately, partnering with Hammer over the years, she found a better way. Wesley passed away in 2015 at the age of 88.

Her daughters, Julie Wesley-Wong and Patty Alger, are now Mickey’s co-conservators. Here they reflect on Mary’s legacy and all that she meant to Mickey and their whole family.

Mom and dad took a situation that could have broken some families and instead, advocated and planned to create a full, healthy life for Mickey. I’m just 18 months older than Mickey, so we really grew up together and were best buddies. Patty was more of a second mom to Mickey since she was a senior in high school when he was born. Twenty-four years ago, when our dad died, our mom had the foresight to makes us both Mickey’s conservators and we’ve shared decisions ever since. — Julie Wesley-Wong

Before Mickey moved to Hammer, I remember taking him to Camp Friendship for a trial week, to see how he would adapt away from our family. It wasn’t easy but he adjusted. Shortly after, when

we moved Mickey to the Hammer boy’s dorm, he was greeted by the guys and off he went! He came home every weekend to stay connected to us. Soon mom joined the board and dad got involved with the Boy Scout troop. Mickey suddenly had a life of his own at Hammer, a life he could not have had at home. — Patty Alger

Mom taught us that all people matter; to treat people as you’d like to be treated and that Mickey deserves to live a life like everyone else. Everywhere we go, people know Mickey since he is active in his community. At Hammer, Mickey has a beautiful home. His life is full of people he loves. In fact, Mickey still lives with two of his old dorm mates, Murray and Mark. He is satisfied doing activities he enjoys. He has a volunteer who visits with their dog. Dogs are his biggest love in life, along with family photos and his Etch a Sketch! He also enjoys having a volunteer church driver, getting massages (because everyone needs touch) and music therapy which feeds his soul. — Julie Wesley-Wong

Our parents left a real legacy. They are a hard act to follow but I think they’d be really happy to see how we’ve carried on. The next generation is even involved. Our niece, Anna, is an occupational therapist focusing on autism at Fairview and has the cutest relationship with Mickey. — Patty Alger

My parents were givers and sharers who taught us to be the same. I’ve been connected with Hammer and families like ours in many ways through the years. During college, I was a DSP at Hammer. For the past 20 years, I have been an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. I also support Hammer financially through a monthly gift that works for my budget. I believe it’s important to stay in touch with our loved ones and keep them top of mind. — Julie Wesley-Wong

Mary Wesley's legacy includes her children: Patty, Julie and Mickey


Hammer Discoveries | 8Hammer Discoveries | 8

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TO KNOW MORE >>“Imagine the Possibilities” of your Hammer legacy by joining us at the Reach for Ralph Annual Benefit on July 23 at Nicollet Island Pavilion. Thanks to our presenting sponsor Coldwell Banker Burnet. See back page for more details.

Mary Wesley with her youngest children, Julie and Mickey.

GIVE

Mary Joan Spelman Wesley, 1926 – 2015 Mary was deeply involved with Hammer beginning in 1978 when the youngest of her ten children, Mickey, came to live at Hammer. From serving on the board, to being a member of the Alvina Hammer Heritage Society as well as the Bill McGlinch Society, Mary was a true philanthropist. Generous with her time and resources, she always imagined the possibilities. In 2000, Mary helped to design and finance Hammer’s Wentworth home with its wide hallways and doors, accessible bathrooms and a ramp entry so that her son Mickey and his housemates could live there all their lives. Knowing Mickey would have a home for a lifetime at Wentworth brought Mary great peace of mind. As a result of Mary’s vision, the impact of her gifts lives on today and will continue for years to come.

We are grateful to those who have given generously to Hammer in Mary’s memory.

Moses AgbonkheseItishar AlexanderLisbeth ArmstrongSamon BahtuohDianne BergAngela BernhardtJoan BoerschingerKelly BoschDan BottigerAaron BriggsMichael BryantBecky BuehlerAlterlene CapehartVirginia CarpenterTomeko Champion- PatrickChelsea ClarkColin ClarkDeanna EdehDan L. EganTim EshelmanJohn EstremCynthia GarinTom GillespieTheo-Wiaplah GipleSara Givand

Jessica HammerKim HansenPatricia HastingsJan HopperMelissa HutchinsTim JanssenAmy JohnsonDenise JohnsonMomo J. JohnsonBrian KellyJill KunzeJames LandtWally LentzAnn MartinkaRegan McGowanKevin McLaughlinEmily MillerStefanie MillerJudith NchangStephanie NeufvilleNeh NgosongJoanne NolanChristine OlsenMaima ParkerWendy J. PaulsonBrian Quast

Rachel RevelsRose M. RizziJulane RoseThomas L. RussethPeter SchaffranElizabeth SenneCari SheleyCatherine SmithMargaret Starr-KnoxAdam SteeberEsther SwenCathy ThomaEllen Timmerman-BorerJerry TowianskiBecky TrebKerri TurenneDiana VangGinger G. VenableSue WalkerSuzanne WanousPeter WieringJon WoidyllaCathie WoodDennis Zelee

Anonymous (3)**Leonard Aase + Lisa M. Anderson Margaret and James + Argall Steven Argall Trust Lisbeth and Mark Armstrong Dorothy A. Bailey Leigh Bailey Angela and George Bernhardt Richard and Judith Corson Judith and Kent Davidson Rosemary and Marvin Fish Shirley (Rip) and Ted + Freeman Jean and Bill Gjetson Don and Heidi Haberman**Claire and Don + Hinrichs Beulah + and Ingvald + Hongerholt Pat and Michael Houston

**Mary Ann and Jack + Huddleston Bill and Joan + Krippner Laura Langer Robert and Michele Luke Jill and Lewis Mithun Jean and Tim + Nelson Bruce and Merry Jo Parker**Robert M. Reed + Trust LaVonne and Allen Ribbe**Clara Schonlau + Elaine and Marshall + Siegel Don and Annie Smithmier Deloris + and Wallace + Solseth Ellen and Kevin Timmerman- Borer Barbara A. Tuckner**Grace + and Paul + Voetmann **Mary Wesley +

ALVINA HAMMER HERITAGE SOCIETYHammer is proud to honor the visionary individuals who have made a Legacy Gift by naming Hammer in their will, charitable trust or other planned giving vehicle. You are an example and an influence to others to make the same commitment. On behalf of those we serve, thank you for your extraordinary investment to our mission.

** Legacy gift received Bold type = new to Heritage Society + Deceased

Joanne AndersonJoyce Holt ConleyGretchen DullingerMichael and Joan FarrisGina GagliaThomas and Donna HanrahanThomas and Linda HerdaleSusan JansKimberly Clark FoundationMichael and Mary KingAndy and Rachel Lee

Corey LukeGinger Luoma AndersonJay MolterCatherine PaulsonMary SmithRichard and Pamela TanakaFrank TsuchiyaDave and Jodine UrdahlJulia and Wymond Wesley-WongKeith and Willie Mae Westbrook

HAMMER STAFF CONTRIBUTORSOctober 1, 2014 – May 15, 2015


9 | Hammer Discoveries9 | Hammer Discoveries

Did you know that Hammer is part of an ACO? An Accountable Care Organization is a group

of medical professionals who come together to provide, coordinated care to their Medicare and Medicaid patients. The goal is to ensure that people get care at the right time to avoid unnecessary duplication of services and to prevent medical errors. In theory, coordinated care will help spend dollars more wisely, resulting in shared savings and benefitting people in need of services.

You may be wondering why Hammer is a part of an ACO, since it is a community services provider and not a health care provider. Six non-profit providers and one primary care practice have joined forces to create Altair ACO. Hammer Residences, LifeWorks Services Inc., Living Well Disability Services, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, and Opportunity Partners represent Altair’s social services partners along with Bluestone Physician Services, the medical care provider. Altair is the first ACO in the state to integrate social services with health care services to address the changing needs of people with disabilities. Chief Program Officer Lisbeth Vest Armstrong believes such a partnership is long overdue. “Being part of a larger group gives us more of a voice,” she states. “We have experienced more access to decision makers in our state as a result of this collaboration.” The community service providers have proactively come together to work alongside a medical provider to better support healthy outcomes across the continuum of housing, employment, physical health and wellness, social health and wellness, and behavioral health and wellness.

As Altair’s ACO Service Coordinator I have the opportunity to help develop and implement different models

of medical services for people with disabilities, leveraging the expertise of Bluestone Physician Services. Bluestone is unique in that they provide primary care to people in their homes. They are ‘disability competent’ and specialize in helping people who may not be best served in traditional clinics. This alternative option for medical care could make a world of difference to people who are medically fragile or physically have a difficult time getting to appointments; people with chronic conditions who require more frequent preventative care; or individuals who experience anxiety or stress related to medical care. These are just a few examples of those who may benefit from on-site services. This is an innovative idea because people with disabilities are significantly more likely to report being in fair or poor health compared to non-disabled adults (Susan M. Havercamp P. H., 2015) and a more accessible model of care could result in healthier outcomes. Altair ACO believes that quality physical, social, and behavioral health and wellness are vital to a person’s ability to live, work

and engage more independently in their community.

Altair ACO is determined to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities by giving them more choices on how, when and why they access medical services. I am proud to work for an organization which devotes their time working with similar agencies to share best practices and tackle the most difficult industry issues on behalf of the individuals we support. As Hammer CEO John Estrem puts it: “We value the process of collaboration; we do better when we do it together. Furthermore, the landscape is changing fast in the disability services field. This is one way to try and shape the future, rather than simply responding to it.”

By Katie Binning, Service Coordinator, Health Services – Altair ACO

A work in progress, from left: Project Manager Pam Bloom, Katie Binning and Executive Director George Klauser

TO KNOW MORE >>To understand how Altair ACO's work impacts you, contact Katie Binning at 952-345-8513 or [email protected].

EDUCATE >>

MAKING CHANGE A REALITYAltair Forges New Paths Toward Improved Care


>> DSP CORNER

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the foundation of our organization and should be recognized for the amazing support they provide. These sometimes unsung heroes embody Hammer’s mission to provide those with developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience life to its fullest. Last year we began showcasing our best talent with a “DSP of the Month” initiative. Featured below are recent recipients of this honor.

>> DSPs OF THE MONTH

>> Getting to Know . . .

Bruce Bondhus

DECEMBER 2014Christine DanielAvana Apartments

FEBRUARY 2015Donna CarrIndividualized Community Services

MARCHBruce BondhusJersey Home

APRILChris ChicaStonecreek Apartments

MAYChristina Roufs Royal Oaks Apartments

JUNEMomo Johnson Day Program

In 1986, Bondhus was searching for an opportunity that would allow him to help people and still earn a paycheck. From that desire to do more for others, he found Hammer. For the last 28 years, Bondhus has been making a difference for all the people he serves.

Bondhus started at Hammer on the former boys’ floor. He moved on to work at our First Avenue, Sumac and Lakeside homes. Since 2003, Bondhus has been supporting the men at our Jersey home and has stepped into the role of Assistant Program Manager. In every position, one thing has remained constant — Bondhus has been a support to everyone around him, those he serves and colleagues alike, helping all become better individuals.

Recently, one of the men Bondhus serves needed surgery. He and the staff team at Jersey made preparations for post-surgery support. Knowing this individual would have a difficult time maneuvering in his wheelchair, Bondhus rallied his co-workers to rearrange the man’s bedroom to make it more accessible during his recovery. It was a simple idea, but it made all the difference in the world. This is just one example that highlights the kind of selfless work Bondhus has been bringing to at Hammer for years.

As Kim Hansen, Director of Human Resources, shared: “I have known Bruce since he started working with me on the boys’ floor. He has always been a quiet person with a great sense of humor. This demeanor has served him well in his direct care roles, and Hammer has been lucky to have him all these years. He is a true example of what it means to be an excellent DSP.”


CARE >>

A LOVE STORY FOR THE AGES:James and Sarah Lundquist

“Before I met Sarah, there was a hole in my heart. Now my heart is full.”

Those were the words that started the magical adventure of James and Sarah Lundquist. They had known each other for

years. At a dance, Sarah had finally approached James. “I need a boyfriend. Do you need a girlfriend?” He did, and what happened next is a love story for the ages. They wanted to get married. But how? I was the Program Manager of the Hammer home, Sumac, in which Sarah lived. Unfortunately, there were and still are many barriers to full civil rights for people with disabilities. But Sarah and James’ beautiful love for each other broke down these obstacles, and with the blessing and help of their residential providers, counselors, pastors, job coaches, case managers, financial workers, staff, and their big and wondrously supportive families, they wed on Valentine’s Day, 2008.

James and Sarah shared a rich, full life together. They made meals together, travelled internationally, listened to their beloved Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston records, bowled with friends, and, boy, did they ever dance their hearts out! At first, they lived in a small, cozy apartment, supported by another provider. But a sad truth began to intrude on their happy life together. Most people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s, and James, regrettably, was no exception. (Studies have shown that because of their extra copy of the Alzheimer gene, virtually 100 percent of people with Down syndrome have the brain pathology associated with Alzheimer’s disease.) He slowly began to lose abilities, and it became clear that the couple needed more support. So, they moved to a Hammer apartment, Vicksburg in Plymouth, which was carefully set up to provide care for James in his home until the end. But when James decline continued to steepen, we could not get the county to agree to let him age in place. We quickly sought another solution, and James moved to Hammer’s Lee Avenue home. There he was able to receive Hospice care and comfort from a team of wonderful staff who were experienced in supporting people through the end of life. Sarah remained in close contact with her husband, visiting him regularly, talking to him on the phone until he no longer knew how to use it, and even helping to feed him when he had difficulty doing so himself.

When the end was near, Sarah told me that she wanted to be with James when he died, if possible. Hammer’s Vicksburg and Lee Avenue homes and Sarah’s family worked to ensure that she had the right support with her at all times. She stayed overnight with James, sang sweetly to him, played their favorite songs to comfort him, watched their wedding video to try to jog his memory, and snuggled in his little hospital bed. Sarah was incredibly brave. She held James’ hand and told him it was okay to go, that he would always be her “King James,” and there were healthy snacks waiting for him in heaven. I have never known two people who loved so deeply and so well, who so fully understood the sacrament of marriage. Perhaps we could have tried harder to protect Sarah from heartache, but I believe we would have denied her some of the most poignant moments in life. As we all know, sky-high joys and soul-crushing sorrows are present in every life. Sarah and James shared a brief but memorable life together, living with full humanity, and so much love.

By Mary Gaasch, Program Director

“I have never known two people who loved so deeply and so well, who so fully understood the sacrament of marriage.”

—Mary Gaasch


Fishing and the Northwoods go to together like Minnesota and hockey, Abbott and Costello or

fireworks on the Fourth of July. There’s no better place to drop a line in the water than in cabin country. Whether casting from a boat in the middle of the lake or hovering over a newly augured hole in the ice, the land of 10,000 lakes offers everyone a chance to reel in the big one.

For most of us, this entails picking a weekend with friends, packing up our car and driving up north to the lake of our choice. Tom Ryan and Josh Senso realized this was not available for an individual they supported, Don Pearson, made it known that he would like to go up to Brainerd to fish. Ryan and Senso asked his cousin and guardian, Renee, where he had gotten this idea. Turns out, Don used to go fishing with his dad and held those memories dear.

Hearing this, Ryan and Senso took it upon themselves to turn Don’s request into reality. “We were taken by surprise when Don started talking about his desire to go fishing. It was an activity we had never considered for him, but once we understood its importance to him, we wanted to do whatever we could to make it happen,” remembers Ryan.

So, in 2005, a small group (Don and housemates from his McGlinch home) took a day trip up to Gull Lake. The experience was so memorable that, by the next year, it extended to an overnight stay. Building on this momentum, the 2007 fishing trip was opened up to all supported by Hammer, with roughly 25 individuals participating.

Fast forward to this year’s tenth anniversary, and the fishing trip has become one of Hammer’s most popular events. In fact, the attendance has more than doubled to 60 participants, split into two sessions. Additionally, we have moved to a bigger resort (still on Gull

Lake), and now charter a bus so attendees can travel in style. The fishermen and women stay in cabins or condos and enjoy meals in a community kitchen. We rent a large pontoon and make sure everyone has time on the boat to catch a fish or two. When not on the lake, individuals can

fish from the dock, relax at the beach, play yard or board

games, or simply enjoy the company of friends they may not have seen in a while. Capping off each two-day, two-night session, everyone gathers for pizza at Hammer to share the fun times they had and lament the ones that got away.

What started as a simple wish Don shared with his staff has morphed into something much bigger than anyone could have imagined. Don has since passed away, but his memory lives on through the aptly named “Don Pearson

Memorial Fishing Trip” and in a more significant way, through Hammer Travel.

“From Don’s desire to go fishing, we learned that travel, even a few hours from home, was not something individuals with disabilities could easily do,” Ryan reflects. “The Hammer Travel business is a direct result of that conversation with Don. The social interactions and experiential learnings we witnessed on these trips reinforced our mission to provide the opportunity to experience life to its fullest through travel.”

“We are proud to continue providing opportunities, fishing and beyond, for individuals with disabilities to keep growing and experiencing more of their world.”

Editor’s Note: This year, over 120 fish were caught during the June 8-10 and 10-12 trips. Thanks for the inspiration, Don!

TO KNOW MORE >>If you would like to know about more Hammer Travel trips, contact Tom Ryan at 952-277-2461 or [email protected]. You can also visit the website at www.hammertravel.org.

The Don Pearson Memorial Fishing TripHammer’s Unofficial Start to SummerBy Devin Harrington, Communication Specialist

Another day on the lake means another fish on the line for Carla.

Don Pearson in his favorite captain's chair.


$25,000 or greaterAnonymous (2)Bieber Family FoundationOtto Bremer FoundationMary Wesley +

$10,000 to $24,999AnonymousBruce and Celeste AmlickeArgall/Hibbs FoundationJohn and Nancy BergCaridad CorporationColdwell Banker BurnetBob and Joan CumminsGiving WoMNJohn B. GoodmanMedica FoundationPlymouth Housing and Redevelopment AuthorityRichard M. Schulze Family FoundationSiegel Family FoundationKarl StoltenbergDrs. Mary and Jan TangheThrivent Financial for Lutherans FoundationWarners' Stellian Company Inc.

$5,000 -$9,999Anonymous (2)Elaine and Robert BacheThe Family of Thomas CarpenterJerry CarusoGeritom Medical, Inc.Lexus Pursuit of PotentialLurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLPMcGlynn Family FoundationJim RybergMike and Pam SimeCharles and Ellen SwansonTCF Foundation*Alan and Barbara TennessenVillage Gives Back Foundation

$1,000 - $4,999AnonymousACI Asphalt Contractors, Inc.Joel and Mary AmundsonDr. Kevin and Mrs. Barbara AmundsonGreg AndersonAvtex Solutions, LLCLeigh BaileyBank of America*Garry and Shannon BanksJanet BastJohn and Sally BattaiolaJohn BeanBell MortgageAndrew BennettTom and Angela BlanchetteBomardo Initiative LTDJohn and Maryann Brandenburg-MeridithWard BrehmCarmen BringgoldBuffalo Wild WingsBurdick Family FundBrian and Cindy CarrollSarah CarusoCity Club FoundationJohn and Pauline ColemanGeorge and Peggy CrolickConan and Amy CrumLisa CurtinThomas A. CusickGeorge and Carol DaumDitter Cooling & HeatingMichael and Mary DrazanEnterprise Holdings FoundationJeffrey FazendinFidelity BankPatricia A. FlemingPeter Flint and Jan SymchychJohn and Deborah FoxDenver and Nicole GilliandJean and Bill GjetsonGo Kart LabsDon and Heidi HabermanDenis and Caroline HarringtonDr. Daniel Hartnett Family FoundationHinshaw & Culbertson LLPPaula Hirschoff and Chuck LudlamSusan and Thomas IngemanBradley A. JohnsonArne KolbjornsenJune Kuntze

Virgil and Patricia LeihLaurence and Jean LeJeuneMike and Karen LinnLions Club of PlymouthJeanette and Larry LiukonenMary K. LundPhilip and Barbara MacNeillMacQueen EquipmentDavid and Kimberly MarroneMartinson Clinic FoundationAndrew and Jennifer MatysikJohn and Molly McDonaldMark and Diane McMorrowMesserli & KramerMary MetzlerFredrick and Christine MeyerMicrosoft Giving Campaign*Chuck and Cyndie MisnerSolveig Misner and Leigh WoldRay Mithun, Jr.Mount Olivet Lutheran ChurchWilliam and Gail MunsellPatty and David MurphyKenneth and Marilyn Sue MurrayAl and Vicki OlsonKate and Richard OlsonS.B. Osborn Charitable TrustClifford OttenBruce and Merry Jo ParkerMary PattersonGreg PetryszynRuth Pope and Arnold JohnsenSusan and Andrew ReinJoseph and Kathy ReisRotary Club of Excelsior - MinnetonkaRotary Club of WayzataThomas and Diane RussellTess RyanRita SchofieldKent and Traci ScholtenWilliam and Joyce Sexton Family FoundationJane and Don ShafferSill Family FundMitchell and Elva SillAdam SkibekDon and Annie SmithmierSt. Philip the Deacon Lutheran ChurchMark and Izabella StipakovMichael and Barbara TenneyThrivent Choice ProgramLinda and Bob TomaschkoToro CompanyPaul and Sarah TucknerU.S. BankJohn and Judy VosikaPete and Carolyn WahteraMark and Kathy WallraffWayzata American Legion Post 118Ted and Erin WentinkKarole WhippsDiane and Timothy WilliamsMary Ann and John WoltersWright-Hennepin Cooperative Elec. Assoc.

$500 - $999Allegra Print & ImagingDorothy A. BaileySusan BakerBeverly BakkenIrvin and Kay BergsagelJeff and Widdy BirdSandra C. CarlsonRae Carlson TrustBruce and Diana ClarkRichard and Judith CorsonCummings Mobility ConversionDavid and Debra CzechDenis L. Harrington ConsultingDeWitt Mackall Crounse & MooreLoretta DockenLisa and Scott DongoskeWayne DuerschmidtT.A. Estrem +Christina FairMarilyn FryerRebecca and Ron FurnivalKim and Pat GharrityGreg and Janet GilliesKathryn H. GlenSamuel GoadDon and Becky GromekDebby GroteHennepin County Environment and Energy

Linda and Kenneth HolmenJohn and Colleen HooleyRonald E. HovdaGail JaworskiDorothy KepriosJo Ann KoltesJohn and Terry KruseL.H. Hendrickson Family Charitable FundStephen and Susan LangRoxanne LeitzkeJanet and Steven LerchLoffler CompaniesRobert and Michelle LukeJon P. MatejcekTaya MergottPatty and Mike MoldenMatt and Marty MuellerOrville and Vonnie OlsonMichael and Sue OreckLillian OrensteinJohn and Gigi OssannaPark TavernPepsiCo FoundationDavid and Sharon PettersonPohlad Family Foundation*Dudley and Marti RyanSean RyanSandberg Leih CorporationPeter and Jen SellwoodThomas and LeAnn SilverRenee E. Solinger-AudetteDavid SovellStrand Industrial Machinery Co LLCThomas and Jeanne SweenBarbara TucknerULLR FoundationNolan and Anne VaughanWayzata BP/Glen Lakes Service CenterJohn Wetterlund and Laurel FeddemaMarilyn and Robert Zaic

$100 - $499Anonymous (5)Tim and Wanda AaserAmir and Sarah AbdelwahedAll Over MediaAnn AlthauserAnchor BankDavid and Janet AndersonJoanne AndersonRobert AndersonJudi and Jerry AndresenLawrence and JoAnn BarbettaSheila and John BarbettaDavid and Christine BardwellKatie and Richard BarrettMona BarstadLester and Barbara BauerMark and Carolyn BauerDarrell and Kenwyn BeckstromBenilde-St. Margaret's Hockey TeamJosephine BergeTimothy and Diane BeversdorfChristopher BlasewitzJeanette BlasewitzConrad and Mary BloomquistBob's Shoe Repair, Inc.Mark and Sara BonkRichard and Ann BottelliCheryl BoudreauDave BrandGreg and Lisa BuckBuehler FamilyRobert and Susan BurnsSantos BustamantePaul and Mayone ByronAl and Toni CadyCharles and Deb CarlsonScott and Gerda CarlsonPaul and Mary CederbergStephen CharrierAlfred CollingContinental DiamondPearl CookGary and Susan CramerCSM BakeryMichael and Michelle CuppyCarla and Brian DanielsonJudith and Kent DavidsonNancy DavidsonGeorge and Carol DecellesLouis DoelzTom and Libby DoranDoTopiaJames and Norma DriverMarjorie and Charles ElliottPaul and Wendy EngelmanJim and Susan Erickson

Joseph and Megan EskolaTom EstremG. Everett Enterprises, Inc.Michael and Jackie FairMichael and Joan FarrisPatrick FergusonMary Ann FisherDebbie FlanneryTom FlickerMichael and Sandra FoleyFood Perspectives, Inc.Loretta FreemanPaul and Mary FreemanShirley (Rip) FreemanJaime FrischmannRoger FrommeltGina GagliaJames and Joan GardnerBruce and Kim GillespieRosemary and Lawrence GleasonStanley and Luella Goldberg Family FoundationDavid GoldenDonna GorskiCarol GottschalkMartha and Edward GschneidnerGary and Kathleen HadleyLeota HalesElizabeth HamillJack and Sharon HammangDonald and Ida HannaMichael and Margaret HanrahanRichard and Mary HargartenRonald and Janet HaskvitzRoger and Marge HeegardKay HempelRobert and Kathy HendricksonRobert A. HenselDorothy HermanMary HilgertMary HillAlan and Diane HornerJames and Sally HornigMarianne HoulihanKent and Marilyn HowePam HoweDick and Sandy HumeRon and Lori HumeStanley and Margaret JaffyEric Janus and Carolyn ChalmersAmy and Craig JensenMark and Laurie JeterDale and Janice JohnsonSherri and Steve JohnsonVirginia JohnsonTerry and Timothy JohnstonMargaret and Roger JonesHeidi and Jeff JoppWinifred JurrjensSteven D. KastendieckWynn and Ginnette Kearney FoundationChip and Debbie KemppainenJohn and Charline KennedyKim KepriosDavid and Susan KiblerEd and Susan KileenKimberly Clark FoundationKristine KircherHugh and Julie KirschDan H. KleinBarbara and David KleistVicki KlimaEverett and Jane KlostermanJoe and Gina KoltesGeorge KrozserGabby LambertJeffrey and Susan LambertTom and Janet LaneKathleen LaphamMark and Joni LauffenburgerKevin and Kathleen LeightonTeresa LenertzMarcia and Fred LeVoirHerbert and Kathie LevyGary and Gwynne LewisMichael and Gail LewisPaul and Janice LindbloomAmy LudwigMary LydonMall of America Management OfficeMarriott City CenterMarcia MasseeHoward Mathison and Mari RovangMichael MattsonKerri and Travis McAfoosPat and Victoria McConnell

Edward McConvilleJohn McCoyDr. Anne Marie McNeillTom MedcalfJohn MeyerPaul and Christine MeyerTom and Rose Mary MeyerMidwest Financial SearchKathy and Tom Miller Family FoundationRoss and Darcy MillerElliott MillsLinda MinarikMinnesota TimberwolvesAnne MommsenRobert and Taylor MoorJ. Keith and Marilyn MoyerRenee MuellerNancy and Mike NafzigerChristine and Thomas NickelsNadim and Souha NimehCathy and Kenneth NobletLouis OberhauserGen OlsonSandra and David OlsonMary and Michael OngstadMark and Robin OsmanskiAlan PageBetsy and Bruce PankoninCarol PattersonDoug and Marilyn PaulCatherine PaulsonScott PayneJeff and Ellen PearsonMary Kaye PfauSusan and Greg PfeifferFather Don PicheBetty PomerleauChristine and Joseph PorcelliMaureen PranhoferMary and Robert PutnamAbe QuiringCheryl and Geoffrey RaileJames and Elizabeth RamslandWilliam RebholzRedstoneH.G. and Kimberly ReynoldsAllen and LaVonne RibbeDick and Jaye RichterBuck and Kim RiesgrafEdwin and Christina RitchieAnne RodriguezTed and Mary RogersWilliam and Jeanne RouchMindy Rudd and John CraynockGreg and Lisa RyeGreg and Patricia SalmiFloyd and Shirley SchneiderMike SivanichGary and Shirley SmithJeffrey and Kathryn SmithDiane Solinger and Jerry CookLoretta SolingerCathie SollerGary and Gwen SolsethLloyd SorensenBrian and Anne StanchfieldSherm StanchfieldBen and Mary StephensStevens Development and FinanceTony and Sandy StevensStewart TitleNancy StoneChristine and Allen StrandeBob and Carole SwalesJohn and Diane SweeneyRichard and Pamela TanakaVerna ThursRichard and Nancy TimpJohn and Marie TobinJeff and Katie ToweyAndy and Carole TruchinskiJack and Cheryl TucknerMarie TucknerAnnabell TwiceSherry UnderdahlThomas and Lorri UnderwoodGay and Deb UrnessDavid and Jan UssetJohn VanDanackerPeggy VanSickleJohn and Margaret VitBruce VolkartElsie WeisenbacherTimothy and Rosemarie WeldonWells FargoWells Fargo Community Service / United Way CampaignWellspring Health Center

Michael and Mackie WesleyJulia and Wymond Wesley- WongBill and Doreen WestKeith and Willie Mae WestbrookCraig and Karin WestgateRichard and Sandra WillisMax and Heidi WindmillerMargaret WongPamela WrightLori WurthLes and Mary Anne Young

Under $100Donald AbelADP, Inc.Advanced Wealth Management GroupMike and Phyllis AhoStephen and Mary AldrittWilliam and Diane AllenAmazon SmileDr. J. David AmlickeGervae AndersonMarshall and Dru AndersonStanchly AndersonRussell and Barbara AndrewsSteven and Mary Jean BabcockWilma Jane BalickCheryl BarnesStephen and Charlene BarronSarah BarthelBarbara BaumThomas P. BedardVirginia BelfordRosalyn BernsteinRodney BernuSue BlakeBrian BocheKari and David BoeseJerome and Jo BolteEarl BoreneEarl and Margaret BorerAlvin and Janice BottineauNita BradfordKristina Bruggeman-MaagBrunswick Zone XL Eden PrairieJennifer BuchananWes Bue and Denise EngBuilder Direct RemodelingErin BuntainJohn and Helen CallaghanCandlelight Floral & GiftsCannon River WineryBarry and Julie CarlsonCGI International, Inc.Kari ChristiansonJudith ClarkeGlenda CondonJoyce Holt ConleyPatrick ConryScott and Deborah CooperShirley CormierSandra CorneliusPatricia CostelloSue and Denny CotaJohn and Marian CracraftJames and Kae CrawfordDenise and Steve CroninLt. Andrew DaumJohn and Rebecca DavisMargaret DavisMichael and Ann DavisDavid Decambaliza and Julianne MickelsonDean DeGrootMatthew and Judy DeisThomas and Pat DeuserDave and Patty DittrichThe Dressel FamilyBlake and Sharla DuerreGretchen DullingerMary Ebnet and Thomas FitzpatrickWilliam and Elizabeth EllgrenGeorge and Margaret EmslieMark EmslieAllen and Audrey EricksonJuanita and Ray ErnhartHelen EvansFirst Minnesota BankMarvin and Rosemary FishMatthew FoleyKent FordyceSheila J. FossRita FoxRonnae GarrityBarry and Vickie GartnerPhyllis GenestPhyllis Genest-Stein

| October 1, 2014 – May 15, 2015 CONTRIBUTORSW

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Knute and Joann GilbertsonDonna GilmanColleen GlennonRobert and Patti GlumackEsther GoldbergAlice Mae GranerRebecca GranowskiSharon Ann GreenIlja and Sue GregorShirley and Lowen GrodnickLindsay Marie GromeMichelle HagelinZaimah HakimHamel LeosKathleen HanksThomas and Donna HanrahanElizabeth HansenMark and Libby HansenRon and Linda HansonShane HarringtonEileen HasselJudi and Jim HathawayEd and Nancy HennenThomas and Linda HerdaleRichard and Elaine HertelCole and Katherine HickmanJane HillJulie HillestadJon and Mary-Michelle HirschoffOtto and Anita HirschoffWilliam HodderHopkins Junior High SchoolPat and Michael Houston

Vicki JackmanNoel and Ruth JagolinoMeghan JahnkeShaun and Kristin JamisonSusan JansDorothy Edelson and Daniel JapuntichConstance JennisonBlaine Johnson and Cindy GarinEdward and Carol JohnsonJudith M. JohnsonPat and Clifford JohnsonJ. M. JurgensSteve and Marion KahnMelody KannasJill and Michael KellyDick Kenny and Lynn ReganBernard and Shirley KilgoreMichael and Mary KingGerald KonietzkoKay KrafkaPaul and Sally KraskeLiz KrauterFrederick and Charleen KreuschPaula KrippnerRichard and Karen LaneSteven LangmoIrene LarsonWarren and Marilyn LarsonRobert and Sue LathamAudrey Gail LazarusAndy and Rachel Lee

Dr. Richard and Joan LentzLiberty Diversified InternationalAnn and Michael LichtyMary Lou LoackerMary Margaret Loahr-WrightKristin LofquistMary LorenceCorey LukeSteven and Janice LundquistGinger Luoma AndersonFrancelyne LurieAlicia LutherJenny MakovskyMarilyn MartinPeter and Janelle MattsonJay and Jan MatykiewiczRose Ann MazierskiJeanette McChesneyJudy McConicoMichael and Colleen McDonaldLaura McGillEugene and Jean McGillisAlison McGrimleyRobert and Patricia McGuireThomas and Susan McGuireJim and Robin McWethyRobert and Frances McWhiteJeremy and Lori MelhornDwight and Roberta MerrymanJames MickusMid America FestivalsBarry and Mary Jo Miller

Caryl MinnettiJay MolterSkeeter MooreJoe MuellerLarry MuellerMegan MuellerTim MuellerJames and Kathryn MurphyArnold NelsonBrent and Karen NelsonClareyse NelsonDuane and Janice NelsonSharon NelsonStuart and Joyce NewmanElaine NimanDonna NorlingRukayat ObaAllison OreckMary OrmePat O'RourkeRondi P. PachecoParadise Charter Cruises of Lake Mtka.Sally ParksMary Ellen PaulsonDaniel PearlSam and Marcy PearlmanJanet PearsonPenn Cycle and FitnessSteve and Jean PetersonJoe PiersakChris and Becky PiersonMichael and Renee PopkinChris Poppe

Nick and Erin PreeseJoan PreissRichard RademacherSharon ReinertSue RingMary RoekRodney RolesWallace RolesKathy RolfJanice SannerJill SatoAnn SchenkelMary and Russell SchmidtPaul and Megan SchmokelNancy SchwalenDewey SennesethJosh and Jessica SensoPerry and Loreen SilvermanJames and Julie SimondetJulianne SixelDouglas and Kathryn SmithMary SmithJane SoshnikTom and Pam SpitznagleStages TheatreRosemary StalterCharles StanleyLisa StenbeckMichael and Anne SternDavid Stevenson and Carolyn HartwigsonKatherine StewardDerek StrandeKevin and Jane Stuessy

Sun & Slope OutfittersPeggy SwansonKay A. TartArt and Mary TholeMichael and Carol ThorsenTiny Acorn PortraitsMarlys TorgersonJan TraffFrank TsuchiyaTim and Patricia TuckerPeter J. TucknerRobert and Ann TurnerClay and Adele TutlandDave and Jodine UrdahlVirginia VizardDiane L. VornbrockEmil and Jean VucovichRay and Barbara WagmanRon and Michele WaldLisa WalsakMatt and Pam WandzelMary WarisPeggy and Bill WarnerJacqueline WeinzetlRobert and Susan WhitePaul and Janice WicklundAlan and Connie WilenskyBrian and Jona WilliamsGuyle and Barbara WillsDuane and Carol WosjeThe Zumbusch Family

In Honor ofMichael Anderson

Buehler FamilyDavid and Sharon Petterson

Bill BieberBradley A. Johnson

Jim BieberAbe QuiringBen and Mary Stephens

Matthew BisclairMary and Russell Schmidt

Marie ByronPaul and Mayone Byron

Jim and Holly DamianiJosephine Berge

Lisa DongoskeElizabeth Hamill

Jack and Bernie EngdahlJill and Michael Kelly

Brad Fenske and the Hammer Day Program

Mary PattersonLeslie Fish and nephew, Henry

Amir and Sarah AbdelwahedStephen and Charlene BarronScott and Deborah CooperThe Dressel FamilyJames and Joan GardnerStanley and Margaret JaffySteve and Marion KahnKristine KircherDr. Richard and Joan LentzMarcia MasseeEdward McConvilleJoe PiersakMichael and Renee PopkinPerry and Loreen SilvermanDavid Stevenson and Carolyn HartwigsonRobert and Susan WhiteMargaret WongThe Zumbusch Family

Amy FletcherJane Hill

Dan GenestPhyllis Genest-Stein

My GrandmotherJessica Hammer

Ida and Don HannaNancy and Mike Nafziger

Aaron KirschEsther Goldberg

JoAnn KoltesTerry and Timothy Johnston

Corbin LeihJeanette and Larry Liukonen

Sarah LundquistSherm Stanchfield

William Mbu and Staff at Broadway Mary Patterson James McKune

Jerome and Jo Bolte

Solveig MisnerKari and David Boese

Katie MuellerLarry MuellerRenee Mueller

Jon OlsonOrville and Vonnie Olson

Lil OrensteinHerbert and Kathie Levy

Joe ParkerGlenda CondonGuyle and Barbara Wills

The Patterson and Anderson Families

Carol PattersonRose Rizzi

Robert and Susan BurnsRodney Roles

Wallace RolesBurt and Irene Scheck

Shirley and Lowen GrodnickElaine Siegel

Stuart and Joyce NewmanTom and LeeAnn Silver

Tom and Rose Mary MeyerStaff at Arkansas

Ron and Lori HumeStaff at Hammer

Tom and Janet LaneAllison OreckMary Kaye Pfau

Staff at KentuckyLinda and Bob Tomaschko

Staff at Royal OaksSam and Marcy Pearlman

Staff at SouthcrestVirgil and Patricia Leih

Barb TenneyMark and Libby Hansen

Ellen Timmerman-BorerJames and Kae Crawford

Suzanne WanousMarilyn Fryer

Don DamianiFreda Newhouse

Josephine BergeMichael DavidLauren Mitchell

Sandra C. CarlsonPerci ChesterBruce KaneFrank LevineMarshall OreckMert ShapiroMark and Debbie Weiss

Michael and Sue OreckHerb and Kathy Levy's Grandchild

Lillian OrensteinMr. and Mrs. Robert BurnsMr. and Mrs. Robert McWhite

Rose M. RizziStuart NewmanMelissa Siegel

Norman SmithElaine Siegel

In Memory ofLynn Aase

Philip and Barbara MacNeilSheldon Balick

Wilma Jane BalickAlbin and Rae Carlson

Rae Carlson TrustScott and Gerda Carlson

Thomas CarpenterVirginia Carpenter

Jack CaseyJohn and Helen CallaghanMichael and Ann DavisGeorge and Carol DecellesJames and Norma DriverGreg and Janet GilliesColleen GlennonDenise JohnsonJ. M. JurgensDick Kenny and Lynn ReganPat O'RourkeMary Ellen PaulsonScott PayneThomas and LeAnn SilverJulianne SixelRobert and Ann TurnerJohn VanDanacker

Joan DaughertyThomas and Diane Russell

Walter DeVoeDonald and Ida Hanna

Jean EngdahlJill and Michael Kelly

Ted EstremMarilyn FryerDrs. Mary and Jan TangheAlan and Connie Wilensky

Jim FinneyTimothy and Rosemarie Weldon

Dennis FlemingStephen and Mary AldrittStanchly AndersonRussell and Barbara AndrewsVirginia BelfordRosalyn BernsteinRichard and Ann BottelliJohn and Marian CracraftDavid Decambaliza and Julianne MickelsonMatthew and Judy DeisThomas and Pat DeuserGeorge and Margaret EmslieMark EmslieMary Ann FisherPatricia A. FlemingKent FordyceLoretta FreemanRonnae GarrityDonna GilmanAlice Mae Graner

Elizabeth HansenEileen HasselEd and Nancy HennenRichard and Elaine HertelHopkins Junior High SchoolShaun and Kristin JamisonEdward and Carol JohnsonJohn and Charline KennedyEd and Susan KileenFrederick and Charleen KreuschRichard and Karen LaneWarren and Marilyn LarsonIrene LarsonGary and Gwynne LewisMichael and Colleen McDonaldEugene and Jean McGillisThomas and Susan McguireDr. Anne Marie McNeillCaryl MinnettiArnold NelsonMary OrmeSally ParksJoan PreissRichard RademacherCathie SollerMichael and Carol ThorsenVirginia VizardDiane L. VornbrockEmil and Jean VucovichRay and Barbara Wagman

Don FrieseDorothy Herman

Rose GoadSamuel Goad

Lloyd GravenRonald and Janet HaskvitzAllen and LaVonne Ribbe

Alvina HammerKathryn H. Glen

Mark HempelKay Hempel

Heidi HirschoffPaula Hirschoff and Chuck LudlamJon and Mary-Michelle HirschoffOtto and Anita Hirschoff

Paul JagolinoNoel and Ruth Jagolino

Nancy KirschDaniel Pearl

Bob KoltesDon and Becky GromekTerry and Timothy JohnstonJoAnn KoltesChristine and Allen Strange

Bob KuntzeJune Kuntze

Bob LorenceMarilyn FryerBernard and Shirley Kilgore

James LundquistDonald AbelJoel and Mary AmundsonDavid and Christine BardwellScott and Gerda CarlsonScott and Deborah CooperJohn and Rebecca DavisDean DeGrootKnute and Joann GilbertsonPat and Michael HoustonGerald KonietzkoRobert and Sue LathamSteven and Janice LundquistDwight and Roberta MerrymanSharon NelsonClareyse NelsonH.G. and Kimberly ReynoldsMary RoekJanice SannerJill SatoJan TraffThomas and Lorri UnderwoodJacqueline WeinzetlBrian and Jona Williams

Marty MetzlerDiane and Timothy Williams

Alyce MillerWilliam and Diane AllenRodney BernuAlvin and Janice BottineauShirley CormierSue and Denny CotaNancy DavidsonRon and Linda HansonJudi and Jim HathawayMichael MattsonJay and Jan MatykiewiczJames and Kathryn MurphyDick and Jaye RichterBob and Carole SwalesPeggy SwansonAndy and Carole TruchinskiClay and Adele Tutland

Maggie MithunRay Mithun

Tim NelsonWes Bue and Denise EngKim KepriosHoward Mathison and Mari RovangFrances Randklev

Barry and Mary Jo MillerDon Rudd

Mindy Rudd and John Craynock

Jerry SchmolkeJeanette McChesney

Jim SolingerDiane Solinger and Jerry Cook

Marjorie SpanjersRoxanne Leitzke

Steven TartKay A. Tart

Margaret TutlandBarry and Mary Jo MillerClay and Adele Tutland

Sister Mildred WarnerPaul and Sarah Tuckner

Ada GeorgeUrban Grausam Gervae Anderson Roy LongbottomLillian Schommer

Juanita and Ray ErnhartJack CaseyJames Lundquist

Marvin and Rosemary FishDon ConwayJoe HusbandsMarilyn KlisMary OsellJo PetersonTony PollockWayne Ripley

Shirley (Rip) FreemanPaul FriedmanJoshua GreenbergAlan LeveyRoslyn Tarshish

Shirley and Lowen GrodnickLori HelmerJohn Pratt Renee Mueller Glenn NorlingScott Norling

Donna NorlingLenny GoldmanKurt MosesLeslie and Lex Nerenberg's MotherLee Ann ParksGarry RoyceJeffrey Sweet's FatherFred Waterous

Michael and Sue OreckJeffrey Sweet's FatherLeeAnn ParksMarion Winston

Lillian OrensteinJim FinneyDon Rudd

Jeff and Ellen PearsonMarie DelfunTed Estrem

Rose M. RizziToba Allen's MotherPaul FriedmanSherman Gleekel

Elaine SiegelEdward DominikFlorence Sivanich

Mike Sivanich

| October 1, 2014 – May 15, 2015

HONORARIUMS AND MEMORIALS | October 1, 2014 – May 15, 2015

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our donor records, errors occasionally occur. If your name has been omitted, misspelled or misplaced, please accept our apologies and contact Cari at 952-277-2454.

Red type = Monthly Electronic Transfer Contributors* Matching Gift Company+ Deceased

Hammer Residences, Inc.1909 East Wayzata Blvd.Wayzata, MN 55391(952) 473-1261www.hammer.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTEDPlease mail all versions of duplicates, deletions and incorrect addresses to Hammer. Contact Cari Sheley at 952-277-2454 or [email protected] with questions.

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE PAIDTWIN CITIES, MN

PERMIT NO. 31688

JUNE 18UNIFIED RELAY ACROSS AMERICA

For this year’s Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, three simultaneous torch

runs are traversing the country from east to west. When the northern relay reached Minnesota, Derek Spitznagle (on left), supported by Hammer since 2012, had the honor of bearing the

torch for part of its route through the Twin Cities.

HAMMER HIGHLIGHTS >>

5 6JULY 26ADA CELEBRATION

Hammer: because everyone deserves to experience life to its fullest.

4

We had a record crowd at our “Spring Breakfast.” Nearly 300 family members, donors, volunteers, employees and individuals we support gathered to celebrate the past year. We highlighted many individual successes and recognized those integral to our organization.

APRIL 18ANNUAL SPRING BREAKFAST1

JULY 23 REACH FOR RALPHPlease join us Thursday, July 23rd at Nicollet Island Pavilion for our Reach for Ralph benefit. This year, KFAN radio personality Paul “Meatsauce” Lambert steps up to the mic as host and emcee. Tickets available at www.hammer.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JUNE 14STAR TRIBUNE It’s becoming somewhat of a tradition. For the sixth straight year, Hammer has been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune! We are grateful for this recognition and thank each one of our employees for contributing to our culture and for the life-changing work they do every day.

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MAY 29HAMMER HAPPENINGSA few months ago we launched our “Hammer Happenings” e-newsletter. At the end of each month, we will share news, highlights and updates from around the Hammer organization. If you would like to receive these emails, please contact Suzanne Wanous at 952-277-2421 or [email protected].

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This date marks the official 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In 1990, the ADA was signed into law and officially granted persons with disabilities the same rights as all others. To celebrate, the Minnesota State Council on Developmental Disabilities is hosting an inclusive, family-friendly event at the History Center in Saint Paul.

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2015 summer discoveries

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