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Kenneth Anderlitch to come down San Antonio St. in 1,800-mile run for recovery

One man, 1,800 miles, six weeks—Kenneth Anderlitch is nearing the final stretch of his incredible run from Washington D.C. to San Antonio and will be running down San Antonio Street soon.

Join us at the McKenna Events Center the morning of October 31 to line the streets to cheer him on! You can even run with Anderlitch for the stretch between the Brauntex Theatre and McKenna!

His estimated timeframe is between 8 a.m. and noon. Please visit mapcomal.org or follow @mapcomal on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date information and his time of arrival.

Averaging around 45 miles a day, Anderlitch began this extraordinary journey on September 20, driven by a mission to raise awareness and funds for Families in Recovery. This new program offered by Haven for Hope allows parents and guardians in a substance use disorder recovery program to remain with their children.

Having lost his mother to addiction at just 20 years old, Anderlitch struggled with substance use and found himself homeless at a young age. As a former client of Pay it Forward, which offers recovery support after drug and alcohol rehabilitation, he discovered that running helped him in his recovery journey, keeping him focused on his physical and mental health.

Now, eight years sober and working with Haven for Hope—San Antonio’s largest homeless shelter— Anderlitch has raised over $33,000 for the new program through his run halfway across America.

“I feel strongly about giving back to those who helped me when I needed it the most. I wish my mom would have found help and healing and was with us today. Her memory keeps me motivated and I hope we will help many families with this new program,” Anderlitch said.

In partnership with Lifetime Recovery, Pay it Forward SA, and Haven for Hope, Ken hopes to raise $50 for every mile he runs, aiming for a total of $90,000 for the Families in Recovery Program.

The ambitious run from Washington D.C. to San Antonio is not Anderlitche’s first big achievement as a runner. In November 2022, he embarked on an 840-mile run across Texas to raise awareness for the same cause; recovery. Averaging 44.2 miles a day and running through 19 pairs of shoes, Anderlitch completed the route in just 19 days (about two and a half weeks), raising $56,897 for Pay it Forward.

You can watch “The Road to Recovery: Ken’s Journey Across Texas” documentary on YouTube.

At over 1,500 miles of his 1,800-mile trek, Anderlitch is quickly approaching New Braunfels and his ultimate finish line at Haven for Hope in San Antonio. Keep up to date on his current location by visiting www.runkenrun.org. Donations for the Families in Recovery Program can be made on the site as well.

We invite you to be a part of this monumental moment as Ken nears the finish line, bringing hope and help to families in recovery. It is projected that he will run down San Antonio Street sometime between 8 a.m. and noon on October 31. Join us at the McKenna Events Center to line the streets, or join him on the run from the Brauntex Theatre to McKenna!

Visit www.mapcomal.org or @mapcomal on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on his estimated arrival time in New Braunfels.

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The New Braunfels Youth Collaborative is breaking ground

The New Braunfels Youth Collaborative (NBYC) is gearing up to hold its groundbreaking celebration for the Mill Street Youth Center.

More than just a preservation project, restoring the former New Braunfels High School and New Braunfels ISD Education Center at 430 W. Mill Street is an investment in our community’s future.

Kicking off the first phase of the project, the NBYC will hold its groundbreaking ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 18th at 430 W. Mill Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Phase 1 includes gymnasium renovations and foundation repairs and demolition inside the building.

The Mill Street Youth Center will create opportunities for students to build connections with peers, caring adults, and our local community; explore interests, develop skills, and embrace new experiences; strengthen physical, mental, and emotional wellness; and pursue academic success and visioning for their futures, while enjoying a safe space to relax, have fun, and be themselves.

Nestled in the heart of downtown, the building also stands as a testament to the city’s rich educational history. Restoring the iconic building as the Mill Street Youth Center will preserve the past and shape a vibrant future. By repurposing this site as a dynamic space for teens, the NBYC honors its legacy and will breathe new life into the building, ensuring that it once again becomes a central, positive force in our community.

San Antonio-based Metropolitan Contracting Company (METRO) is the General Contractor charged with the construction of the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative facility.

“The Historic building of 430 W. Mill Street is more than just a preservation project to METRO; it’s an investment in New Braunfels Youth to build a stronger community. In collaboration for this mission, several community leaders have meticulously planned this facility, and we are all honored to break ground and take this from a vision to a community landmark.” said Chief Executive Officer Jane Feigenbaum, Chief Executive Officer.

Designed to be a vibrant and dynamic environment for students aged 12 to 18, the Mill Street Youth Center will offer a range of high-quality programming during out-of-school hours. “The Mill Street Youth Center will fill a gap in our community by offering teens a place to connect, grow, and thrive. This project is not only transformational for our community by modeling that our youth are worth investing in, but it also preserves the history of the New Braunfels High School and New Braunfels ISD Education Center,” said NBYC Board Chair Gary Seals.

The NBYC invites the public to join in on the celebration and to attend the groundbreaking on October 18, taking one step closer to fostering a better future for our youth.

To donate or for more information about the Mill Street Youth Center or the NBYC, please click here.