McKenna Foundation invests over $1 million in first half of 2025

In the first half of 2025, the McKenna Foundation has committed over $1 million to advancing key initiatives that address crucial gaps in Comal County’s social infrastructure.

With a strategic focus on housing, behavioral health, and early childhood development, the Foundation is prioritizing areas of need to turn the community’s answer from “no, we can’t,” into “yes, we can.”

One significant investment this year was a $500,000 grant to NB Housing Partners for the expansion of its First Footing facility. This funding will help increase bed capacity by over 48%, ensuring more of our neighbors experiencing homelessness have access to safe shelter.

The expansion also increases housing-focused services and dedicates space for both physical and mental health care.

“This project is a turning point for our community,” said NB Housing Partners Executive Director Kellie Stallings. “In the last year, the waiting list for shelter has doubled, and this expansion will help improve our community’s responsiveness to address housing crises. Construction is already underway, and more beds will be ready to address community needs close to the end of 2025. Case management and indoor dining space will be added later in 2026.”

The Foundation has also approved more than $480,000 in grants to local organizations working to improve access to affordable and high-quality behavioral and mental health services.

The New Braunfels Youth Collaborative received $225,000 to launch a youth wellness program that will provide low-barrier mental health resources to youth aged 11-18. New Braunfels Christian Ministries’ Volunteers in Medicine was awarded $50,000 to introduce on-site counseling services, equipping patients with the tools to improve their behavioral health.

Receiving over $208,000 in funding, Connections Individual and Family Services also plans to expand its Community Counseling program, offering low-cost services to young adults, parents, and other underserved populations.

Also recognizing the foundational role of early childhood development in the health and economic growth of our community, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees has committed $100,000 annually for three years to support the Early Matters New Braunfels initiative. This funding will help fund the leadership of the program, expand its resources, and raise awareness about the importance of high-quality and accessible childcare.

With over $1 million committed to local nonprofits so far in 2025 alone, the McKenna Foundation has invested more than $31 million in projects and programs that enhance the health and well-being of New Braunfels and Comal County over the last 16 years. As the year progresses, the Foundation looks forward to continuing its legacy and strategically investing in our community.

To learn more about the Foundation’s community investment framework and work plans, please visit the McKenna Foundation website at www.mckenna.org. Follow McKenna on Instagram @mckennafoundation.

Support local nonprofits during this year’s Big Give

Mark your calendars for the 12th annual Big Give! The 24-hour online giving day, which showcases and celebrates the enormous impact of personal philanthropy, is set to return from 6:00 p.m. on September 17 through 6:00 p.m. on September 18.

Since its founding in 2014, the Big Give has helped raise over $50 million for nonprofits across South Central Texas, all fueled by the generosity of hundreds of thousands of individual donors. The campaign continues to prove that even modest contributions, as little as $10, can collectively raise millions for local nonprofits.

Early giving opportunities will begin on September 10, allowing donors to make contributions before the official start of the campaign. Other incentives, such as the popular Match Minutes, will be offered after kickoff.

This year, the McKenna Foundation will have two Match Minute windows, from 8:30 to 8:35 PM on September 17, and from 8:30 to 8:35 AM on September 18. 

During each five-minute window, the Foundation will match eligible donations dollar for dollar up to $100 per gift, with a total of $5,000 in each pool. To maximize the chances of getting matched, the Foundation recommends filling out the donation form a minute or two before the start of the Match Minute window.

Visit www.thebiggivesa.org to donate or to learn more. 

From crisis services and conservation efforts to senior care and youth services, the Big Give offers donors an opportunity to contribute to organizations that serve as lifelines for our community. With over 300 participating organizations in Comal County, supporters will be able to choose where their gift will create the most meaningful impact.

Don’t know where to begin? The Foundation suggests supporting its partners. Those eligible for the McKenna Foundation Match Minutes include: Comal Conservation, CRRC of Canyon Lake, Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation, RecoveryWerks!, CASA of Central Texas, Hope Hospice, NB Housing Partners – First Footing Program, EdenHill Communities, Steve’s Pantry, STEPS, Crisis Center of Comal County, Communities In Schools South Central Texas, Headwaters at the Comal, New Braunfels Christian Ministries, Family Promise of Greater New Braunfels, Connections Individual and Family Services, River City Advocacy, New Braunfels Food Bank, New Braunfels Angels, RCBC Helping Hands Food Pantry, SJRC Texas, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Comal and Guadalupe Counties, Hope Center Food Pantry and Outreach, New Braunfels Youth Collaborative, 1HOPE for Kids, Project MEND, Kinetic Kids, New Braunfels Christian Ministries, Rock Haus Foundation, SACRD.org, Acacia Medical Mission, Girls on the Run, Friends of the Bulverde Area Rural Library District, H.I.S. Centre, Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center, and the Family Life Center.

Each of these organizations continues to serve vital roles in our local community, whether feeding families, providing education and empowerment, caring for seniors, or providing shelter.

Donate at www.thebiggivesa.org. 

Comal County Proclaims September as National Recovery Month

In a show of support for substance misuse recovery, the Comal County Commissioners Court has proclaimed September as National Recovery Month.

This nationwide observance highlights the importance of recovery, honors those who are on the journey, and celebrates the communities and providers who make it all possible.

Locally, RecoveryWerks! has become a cornerstone of that mission–supporting teenagers and young adults along their recovery journey. With a team of state-certified peer recovery support specialists and licensed chemical dependency counselors, the New-Braunfels-based nonprofit offers a range of peer-driven services, including counseling, peer coaching, support groups, sober activities, and accountability. All to help young people build lives free from the influence of mind-altering substances.

As National Recovery Month marks its 36th anniversary, RecoveryWerks! is inviting the public to a celebration of recovery and community. The event will take place on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 6:30 to 10:00 PM at 790 Landa Street in New Braunfels.

This year’s theme, “Recovery is REAL: Restoring Every Aspect of Life,” will be brought to life through a Family Fun and Outdoor Movie Night. The free event will feature a screening of Inside Out 2, a giant waterslide, music, games, prizes, food trucks, and community resources.

Guests will also have the opportunity to tour the RecoveryWerks! facility and learn more about the organization’s impact.

“We are so excited to invite the public to a night of celebration for National Recovery Month,” said RecoveryWerks! Executive Director Deborah Dickensheets. “Bring your friends, families, and neighbors—come connect and celebrate!”

Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the evening. The event is open to all and serves as a reminder that recovery is not only possible but it can be vibrant, transformative, and rewarding.

For more information about RecoveryWerks! or the Family Fun and Outdoor Movie Night, visit www.recoverywerks.org.