Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In the previous year, Hammer and NER made a significant and measurable impact by providing essential residential and community-based services to people with intellectual and other disabilities across the Twin Cities. More than 360 individuals lived in our group homes and apartment programs, and an additional 1,498 people received Customized Support Services, ensuring access to safe housing, personal care, and opportunities for greater independence. Our staff of more than 570 employees continued to deliver high-quality, person-centered support rooted in a century-long legacy of disability services leadership. Volunteers also played a vital role, with 406 individuals contributing 10,530 hours, including preparing 6,600 meals through our Cooks in the Kitchen program and supporting major community events, collectively generating more than $382,000 in contributed service value. Philanthropic support remained strong, with 1,056 donors contributing $1,849,481 to improve accessibility in our homes, fund educational grants for employees, and cover essential medical and dental needs not reimbursed by insurance for the people we support. Our programs also expanded opportunities for community inclusion, employment, and social connection, with approximately 90 individuals competitively employed, and others supported in building new skills and relationships. Guided by our mission to help people live life to the fullest, Hammer and NER continued advancing person-centered care, strengthening community partnerships, and preparing for future growth to meet increasing needs.
Current Goals
1. Recruit, retain, and develop a highly qualified and diverse workforce. We aim to reduce employee turnover by 30 percent through strengthened human resources engagement, expanded employee coaching, enhanced training, and improved internal mobility. We are building visible career pathways, skill-development metrics, and new recognition programs to support professional growth and retention, while fostering a culture of belonging, psychological safety, and inclusive practices. 2. Strengthen financial sustainability without reducing service quality. Our finance goal is to optimize revenue productivity, reduce open service agreements by 25 percent, and build a culture of stewardship across all departments to secure long-term financial stability amid impending state and federal policy changes. 3. Enhance program structures and systems to better meet individual needs. We will expand our use of quantitative and qualitative evaluation tools, increase communication with families, and ensure timely responses when individuals need staffing or environmental changes. Regular training for Program Managers and DSPs will deepen understanding of expectations and elevate care quality. 4. Strengthen community engagement and stakeholder partnerships. We will expand volunteer opportunities, engage new philanthropic revenue streams, support public policy education, and transition campaign donors into ongoing annual giving. These goals collectively advance our mission to ensure people with disabilities live meaningful, self-directed lives.
Community or Constituency Served
Hammer serves individuals with a wide range of developmental and cognitive disabilities, from autism to Down syndrome to traumatic brain injury. Honoring individual needs and desires, Hammer offers an extensive array of services designed to increase independence while meeting the physical and emotional needs of the individuals we support. Individuals, their family members and caregivers have a key role in developing the services received in Hammer's group homes and apartments. The residential settings are the evolution of Hammer's original services and have changed shape as Hammer, and the human services field, have shifted focus to the individual and person-centered approach to services. The apartment programs are the most recent evolution of this focus. Hammer began supporting individuals in their own apartments twenty-five years ago, supporting individuals with the capability to live mostly on their own, with supports as needed. We often support individuals throughout their entire lives – more than 120 individuals served today have called Hammer home for more than 20 years.
Geographic Area Served
We serve people in Hennepin, Washington and Ramsey County in Minnesota.
