TWINS SEPARATED AT BIRTH by Joe Cullen, Communication Specialist
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hat’s how Lin Curran describes the partnership between Hammer Residences (Hammer) and Northeast Residence (NER). Lin has worn a variety of hats since joining NER in 1987 and is currently their Director of Operations. NER had its beginnings in the early 1970s when a group of dedicated and caring people in the northeast metro area of the Twin Cities who worked with children with developmental disabilities had a vision. Through much hard work and dedication, NER was incorporated and approved as a nonprofit organization in 1973. “Our success over the years at NER is thanks to many people,” says Lin. “Our dedicated volunteer board of directors, our direct care staff, management staff, and many others have helped support the families in our area.” In comparison, Hammer was founded in 1923 by Alvina Hammer, who also believed individuals with disabilities have the right to live in a loving home environment where they can flourish, develop independence and self-confidence, and live a full life.
Over the past year, NER was looking for an organization with similar values and beliefs to partner with. It just so happened Hammer was doing the same. On January 1, 2021 Hammer Residences officially acquired NER. Long-time NER Board Member Joan Purrington agrees with Curran’s assessment that NER and Hammer are like “twins separated at birth” (and not just because Joan is a twin herself!). “Both of our organizations share the same values, that every person in our care deserves a safe and healthy place to live with person-centered support,” says Joan. NER’s headquarters are located in White Bear Lake. NER has 25 group homes located primarily in Ramsey and Washington Counties including White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Maplewood, Shoreview, North St. Paul, Roseville, Little Canada, Vadnais Heights, Hugo, Oakdale and Woodbury. NER also has one home in Hennepin County in St. Anthony. Lin says that staff at NER are excited about the acquisition by Hammer. She adds that some were nervous at first, as to be
JOINING TOGETHER FOR NEW BEGINNINGS Top photo L to R: Lin Curran, Director of Operations at NER with Joan Purrington, 2020 NER Board Chair. Bottom photo L to R: Sue Walker, Chief Program Officer at Hammer Residences with John Estrem, CEO of Hammer Residences and Northeast Residence.
4 | Hammer Discoveries
