The McKenna Foundation has introduced two new community resources designed to make it easier for community members to get involved in the local nonprofit sector.

As part of the Foundation’s You’re Invited Campaign, which encourages the community to listen more deeply, learn more openly, and love more boldly through volunteerism and educational engagement, the Foundation has launched a new Volunteer Portal on Comal Cares and a nonprofit job board on the McKenna website.

The You’re Invited volunteer portal offers a simple way for neighbors to discover opportunities that match their interests. By using the filters such as tutoring, driving and delivery, mental health, or conservation, users can find opportunities that align with what they care about most.

“One of the biggest difficulties right now for our local nonprofits is finding volunteers,” said McKenna CEO Alice Jewell. “That’s a leading reason why we developed this portal, and we hope it becomes an avenue for more community involvement within the local nonprofit sector.”

With more than fifty opportunities already listed on the portal, the platform is designed to make the process of getting involved feel approachable, whether someone is looking for a one-time opportunity or a recurring commitment.

The You’re Invited Volunteer Portal can be found at comalcares.org.

The Foundation has also launched a Nonprofit Job Board, offering another pathway to get involved in the sector. From entry-level roles to leadership positions, the job board provides a centralized place to explore careers that strengthen our community and make a lasting impact.

“The nonprofit job board on McKenna’s website is the result of several discussions with local leadership in the sector,” said Dr. Kane Jaggers, SJRC Texas Vice President of Community Enrichment. “We have worked closely with the McKenna Foundation to bring this online, and we are excited about how it turned out. This will be a great resource for not just the community, but for nonprofits.”

See current nonprofit job listings at mckenna.org/nonprofitjobs.

The McKenna Foundation and the AARP Foundation have proudly partnered for the past 15 years to host and offer the AARP Tax-Aide program, creating a community-centered resource for free tax assistance in New Braunfels.

Each tax season, the McKenna Events Center transforms one or more of its event spaces into a tax support hub, where trained AARP volunteers provide one-on-one assistance. In addition to offering the space, McKenna plays a key role in helping ensure the program runs smoothly for volunteers and clients.

During the most recent Tax-Aide season, services were available for 32 days. Over that time, volunteers served 1,521 clients and completed 1,209 tax returns. These numbers highlight not only the scale of the program but also the demand for accessible, no-cost tax preparation services in New Braunfels.

“Our group of 31 volunteers completed an average of 37 returns a day over the entire season,” said New Braunfels Tax-Aide Local Coordinator Mike Stemig.

For many clients, the program is more than just convenience; it provides financial confidence and peace of mind. “We are always moved by the words and signs of appreciation we see from the people we are serving,” Stemig said. “We even hear from folks who want to get involved and volunteer with us.”

The collaboration between the McKenna Foundation and AARP Tax-Aide services has become a cornerstone of community support. By combining volunteers, an accessible location, and a mission of serving our neighbors, the program continues to make a meaningful impact.

“This partnership is important for our community,” said McKenna CEO Alice Jewell. “Together we are able to ensure that everyone has access to trustworthy guidance during tax season and in a central, easy-to-access location.”

AARP Tax-Aide will be available at the McKenna Events Center again next year, starting in February 2027 and going through Mid-April.

The Community Resource & Recreation Center (CRRC) of Canyon Lake is pushing forward with a major expansion of its Resource Center to meet the growing and increasingly complex needs of seniors in Canyon Lake and across Comal County.

Guided by data and direct community feedback, the expansion comes at a pivotal moment as Canyon Lake is experiencing a rise in residents aged 55 and older. At the same time, CRRC is seeing more seniors seeking support, not just for basic needs, but for help navigating health challenges, financial strain, and social isolation.

A recent community survey underscores the need, with 80 percent of respondents aged 55 and older. Respondents identified consistent barriers to maintaining independence, including limited transportation, difficulty accessing services, caregiver strain, and a lack of opportunities for social connection. These findings confirm that the need for coordinated senior services in rural Comal County is growing.

In response, CRRC is completing the final phase of an $815,000 expansion that will significantly strengthen its capacity to serve seniors through a centralized and accessible resource center.

To help bring this phase to completion and officially launch its new services, the McKenna Foundation’s Board of Directors has approved a challenge grant of up to $150,000. Every donation made to the CRRC’s senior services initiative will be matched dollar-for-dollar.  

Following the CRRC’s Day at the Derby event on May 2, more than $50,000 has already been raised for the project. With McKenna’s matching commitment, the total now stands at nearly $101,000.

“We believe in the CRRC and know that this project will bring vital support to seniors in rural Comal County,” said McKenna Foundation CEO Alice Jewell.

Once completed, the expanded space will serve as a dedicated hub for senior services, offering benefits navigation, caregiver support programs, mental health and memory care resources, and expanded opportunities to combat social isolation. The goal is not only to provide services, but to create a coordinated system of support that helps older adults maintain independence, improve quality of life, and remain connected to their neighbors.

“This expansion is about responding to what our seniors are telling us,” said CRRC of Canyon Lake Executive Director Tiffany Quiring. “We have the opportunity to build a support system that helps older adults navigate the challenges of aging with dignity, in a way that is accessible and community-driven.”

The CRRC is uniquely positioned to lead this effort through an established network of partnerships that includes healthcare providers, public health organizations, and other local agencies. These collaborations allow the CRRC to serve as a central point, helping seniors and caregivers access the resources they need without navigating a fragmented system.

With construction nearing completion, the CRRC and McKenna Foundation invite partners, funders, and community members to be a part of this critical next phase. With a one-to-one match of up to $150,000, every dollar donated goes further, helping launch a program that will support our neighbors for years to come.

For more information or to support the CRRC of Canyon Lake, please visit www.crrcofcanyonlake.org or call (830) 964-2324.

Last year, the McKenna Foundation invited the community to Choose Kindness, and the community responded with open hearts. Neighbors lifted one another up, celebrated the good around them, and shined a light on the everyday acts of kindness that make our community so special.

This year, the Foundation is asking the community to take the next step. Kindness begins with a choice, but it grows through action.

On April 1, 2026, the Foundation officially launched the You’re Invited campaign: a call to the community to listen more deeply, learn more openly, and love more boldly. By hearing one another, seeking understanding, and embracing our community, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.

“This is your invitation to take the next step from choosing kindness. This is your invitation to volunteer opportunities, community conversations, and events all year long that help build connection and belonging,” said McKenna CEO Alice Jewell.

Take the next step now by following the campaign on Facebook and Instagram at @youreinvitednb and visiting www.youreinvitednb.org.

Throughout the year, the You’re Invited campaign will offer a variety of ways to get involved, from hands-on opportunities to educational events. The community is invited to participate, engage with neighbors, and help build a more compassionate and connected community.

The Foundation is also inviting nonprofits, businesses, schools, and community groups to share their creativity, passion, and upcoming opportunities. Each week, the campaign will highlight partner events across its website, social channels, and newsletter. Partners are encouraged to stay connected and share their events and opportunities so the campaign can help amplify their work and provide support where needed.

“Everyone is invited. Everyone is invited to listen to your neighbors, to learn alongside them, and to love our community in meaningful ways,” Jewell said.

Click here to learn more about the campaign and discover ways to get involved.