Twins Separated at Birth

by Joe Cullen, Communication Specialist

That’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.

Mary Anne, one of four women supported at NER's Hale home in Oakdale, MN. Pictured with her is Gracie, one of two cats who also live at the Hale home. L to R: Alex and Doug supported at Hammer's Carlson home with Mary Gaasch, Director of Advocacy and Community Relations at Hammer Residences and Northeast Residence.

expected with that type of news, but they felt better when they realized just how much the two organizations have in common.

Lin believes that Hammer and NER will realize many benefits from this affiliation including:

• Because Hammer is a larger organization, it will be able to support NER in addressing staffing challenges, strengthening critical programs, and improving employee support.

• Hammer’s homes and apartments are in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities and NER’s homes are in the northeast metro region. By joining the two organizations together, we will have a strong presence across the Twin

Cities.

• Together, NER and Hammer will be better positioned to play a stronger advocacy role for the individuals served and make an impact on the industry. Mary Gaasch, formerly a Program Director at Hammer, is the first employee across both organizations. She was named the Director of Advocacy and Community Relations for the organizations.

So far most employees of both organizations haven’t felt a huge change since the acquisition. Upper-level management of both Hammer and NER have been meeting regularly and taking advice from one another in areas such as Human Resources, Communication, and Development. Two long-time members of NER’s Board of Directors, Blaine Stephens, and Bob Lockwood, have also joined the Hammer board. Stephens is the NER Board Chair and serves on a variety of boards and mentors organizations in the White Bear Lake area.

John Estrem, CEO, is excited for Hammer and NER to bring out the best in each other.

“NER and Hammer are working closely together, learning from each other best practices and procedures,” says John. “These are being applied at each organization so that together, we can provide the best possible service to the people we support.”