3 minute read
Navigating the Path Forward Together
by Barbara Brandt, Director of Communication
When Hammer Residences (Hammer) and Northeast Residence (NER) began the journey of becoming better together in the beginning of 2020, our path was unforged. Without a road map, we took a leap of faith and moved forward, intentionally, steadily, and hopeful. As time went on, relationships flourished and processes organically started falling into place. What we thought might be different, is in fact very much the same.
Working together became essential for Brian Kelly, Program Coordinator at Hammer, and Becky Bollinger, Program Compliance Manager at NER, who were each tasked with finding openings in each of their prospective areas. Before partnering, they would separately connect with families and their loved ones in search of a place to call home at their respective locations.
With the encouragement and support of Sue Walker, Chief Program Officer at Hammer, Brian and Becky began their partnership by having weekly meetings to collaborate and provide the best fit and location for people looking for a place to call home. As time went on, each has found that the advantages of sharing resources have been well worth the effort. They can offer a broader range of locations within the Twin Cities with Hammer homes and apartments in the west metro area and NER homes in the east metro area. This allows placement in the area where the person supported can live closer to their family and be in or near their local community, day program, and/or job.
Left to right: Becky Bollinger and Brian Kelly have worked together for over a year, but had never met in person. They have been able to built a solid working relationship thanks to Teams. Left to right: Kate and Becky outside Kate's NER home in White Bear Township.
A great example of this happened earlier this year. Kate, who resided in a Supported Living Services (SLS) apartment, was looking for a place to call home at Hammer that would allow her more social interactions and services. Her case manager contacted Brian Kelly at Hammer. Brian knew there weren’t any current openings, but he was persistent.
During one of their weekly meetings, Brian and Becky talked about Kate’s situation. She wanted to find a place that would offer more social interactions. Brian and Becky put their heads together and found an opening at NER’s Cedarwood home for Kate. It just so happened that the on-site staff apartment was no longer needed and Kate could take it if she liked it. Kate really liked the idea of having more connectedness with roommates within the home, while still being able to have her own space to retreat to if she wanted.
The initial tour and meet and greet with Kate and her family was held on Zoom and it seemed to go well. Kate decided to take an in-person tour and liked the space. Next, she requested a face-to-face (via Zoom) meet and greet with the women that live at the house, before making her final decision. The women at the house were so welcoming during the meet and greet and the relationship blossomed. The women told staff that they thought Kate would be a great person to live with. Kate decided that she was one hundred percent ready to make the move. “Kate's journey to a new home is a great example of how sharing resources and information resulted in success. This placement has coalesced beyond all our expectations!” says Becky Bollinger.
