The McKenna Foundation, through a collaborative effort with Early Matters San Antonio, the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and the Greater New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation, has launched this initiative with the ultimate goal of enhancing the brain development of the local community’s youngest humans through supporting families and the childcare workforce.
Early Matters-New Braunfels is an initiative that will benefit families and support child care providers to expand and improve their quality of service.
Canine Classmates began in 2006 as a program designed to support at‑risk children who struggle with reading. Since then, it has expanded to Canines in the Courthouse, an initiative where dogs provide comfort for traumatized victims while they prepare to testify, offering support both before and after testifying.
Nearly 50 community members came out to NB Housing Partners First Footing to help move supplies and assemble furniture to support the shelter’s expansion and help our neighbors in need.
The McKenna Foundation is excited to announce that three schools from New Braunfels Independent School District (NBISD) and three from Comal Independent School District (CISD) have been selected as award recipients for their outstanding participation in the Foundation’s We Give Video Contest.
Building on the success and heartfelt response to last year’s Choose Kindness Video Contest, the McKenna Foundation launched its follow-up We Give contest on November 19. Despite having just three weeks to produce their submissions, students and staff from both districts created 18 unique, thoughtful, and creative videos.
“We had such a great response last year that we felt compelled to bring the contest back with a new theme and award another $35,000 to local schools to use as they see fit. For both districts, first place received $10,000, second place $5,000, and third place $2,500,” said McKenna Foundation CEO Alice Jewell.
The winning schools from NBISD included: (1) Carl Schurz Elementary; (2) Lone Star Early Childhood Center; and (3) Legend Point Elementary.
Winning schools from CISD included: (1) Freiheit Elementary; (2) Pieper High School; and (3) Johnson Ranch Elementary.
This year’s first-place winners, Carl Schurz Elementary and Freiheit Elementary, stood out for their creativity and heartfelt messages. Carl Schurz produced a spirited bilingual video highlighting that giving can mean hope, love, friendship, and even a simple hug.
Watch the video below:
Freiheit Elementary’s winning video left a memorable impression by showcasing the idea that “everyone can give something,” whether it’s a helping hand, leadership, or encouragement.
Watch the video below:
The McKenna Foundation would like to thank and congratulate all participants for their incredible efforts in creating these videos and their commitment to the spirit of giving.
You can watch all winning videos on the McKenna Foundation’s YouTube or on Instagram at @mckennafoundation.
Holley Digby is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the Director of Mental Health and Wellness for Communities In Schools of South Central Texas.
The McKenna Foundation plans to culminate a productive year by awarding a year-end unrestricted grant to a nonprofit partner and is seeking the community’s participation in the nomination process.
The Foundation is excited to invite the public to nominate a nonprofit organization serving Comal County for a chance to receive one of these generous grants. What organization has made a substantial difference in your life or the lives of others? Which nonprofit has been an incredible partner in the community? Who deserves special recognition for going above and beyond? This is your opportunity to shine a light on the organization that has made a lasting impact.
Cast your vote HERE. Please include a few sentences explaining why you believe your chosen organization deserves to be recognized this year.
Nominations will remain open through December 11.
“We love having the community’s input and hearing why they select the nonprofit they do,” said McKenna Foundation Program Officer Kristen Fain. “We have gotten a great community response the last couple of years, so we are excited to do it again this year!”
The recipient will be announced during the Foundation’s annual Christmas Breakfast on December 16. The news will be shared on the McKenna website and on Instagram at @mckennafoundation.
This year, the Foundation has already dedicated over $1.4 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in Comal County. Since the Foundation began its grantmaking efforts in 2009, over $31 million in funding has been awarded to nonprofits serving our neighbors.
Join us in celebrating the incredible work being done by our local nonprofits and help choose the year-end grant recipient!
