During a meeting at the Comal County Sheriff’s Office, the Community Advisory Council for Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers heard updates on current mental health initiatives and challenges.
As housing costs soar across Central Texas, the New Braunfels Food Bank and community organizations are making strides in an unprecedented initiative to address the region’s affordable housing crisis: The Apple Seeds Apartments.
Despite facing unforeseen challenges and delays, the $12 million project, which broke ground in June 2021, is back on track and under construction. This groundbreaking 52-unit transformational housing complex, among the first food bank-led initiatives of its kind in the nation, is spearheaded by the San Antonio and New Braunfels Food Banks, the McKenna Foundation, and NB Housing Partners.
Solidifying their commitment and support, the McKenna Foundation presented a $750,000 check to the New Braunfels Food Bank in early March 2025.
“We are honored to be a part of this project,” said McKenna CEO Alice Jewell. “Many of our neighbors are struggling daily, particularly with being able to afford a place to call home. It has been a long road to get to this point in the project, but we are committed to seeing this life-changing initiative through.”
Eric Cooper, President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, added that the project will set the standard for the nation.
“The families who reside in the Apple Seeds Apartments will benefit from below-market rent, alleviating financial hardships in an area where housing prices have skyrocketed. This program will help families build financial stability and thrive in this community,” Cooper said. “If we’re part of a resident’s journey to take them to a permanent housing situation or better living conditions, that’s success to me.”
Monica Borrego Jones, Executive Director of the New Braunfels Food Bank, also emphasized the urgent need.
“Fast growth and rising costs in Comal County have made it extremely difficult for community members to live and work locally. This development, alongside the comprehensive programs it offers, marks a critical step in addressing those challenges,” she said.
The Apple Seeds Apartments will cater to families with children under the age of 15 and households earning 80% or less of the area’s median income (AMI). It will not only offer affordable housing, but will incorporate food access, nutrition education, children’s programs, financial literacy, and community engagement opportunities.
Through the innovative project, the coalition of partners aims to address both immediate needs and foster long-term stability for our neighbors.
With construction underway, the San Antonio and New Braunfels Food Banks, the McKenna Foundation, and all other partners are excited to be welcoming residents soon.
The second phase of Connections’ expansion will enhance its mental health resources, increasing the number of counseling offices from six to 14. This phase also includes community resource areas, play therapy rooms, and a family conference space.
The McKenna Foundation is excited to introduce a significant addition to the New Braunfels and Comal County community: Comal Cares (comalcares.org).
The innovative online directory is designed to enhance the lives of our neighbors by connecting them with local resources and organizations that can assist them quickly and seamlessly.
Whether you are seeking assistance or helping someone who is, the free and user-friendly site provides a growing list of over 600 local programs to help you find the support you need.
The invaluable tool is a collaborative effort between the McKenna Foundation, TIPHER, and the San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD), along with various community groups, nonprofits, and businesses dedicated to making supportive services easier to find and access.
“Comal Cares is the result of several months of development and the collaborative efforts of the McKenna Foundation, TIPHER, SACRD, and our dedicated community partners,” said McKenna CEO Alice Jewell. “It is not just a directory; it is a resource designed to foster a community of support and compassion. With this tool, we can build a stronger and more connected community, ensuring that everyone in New Braunfels and Comal County has access to the assistance they need.”
The comprehensive platform is essential not only for the general public but it also revolutionizes the numerous resource directories used by local organizations.
“Comal Cares is an invaluable resource for my work. I use this site weekly as I work with many individuals and families in the community. I have told so many people about the site and encourage them to check it regularly since it is constantly being updated. No more multiple resource lists on my desk that I was constantly having to update. This site is all I need!” said Holley Digby, Director of Mental Health and Wellness for Communities in Schools of South Central Texas.
Ashley Cammack, Mobile Integrated Health Specialist for New Braunfels Fire Department, also emphasized the significance of Comal Cares for the community.
“The user-friendly access to local resources with up-to-date information is incredible,” she said. “We run into patients who just aren’t familiar with the resources available to them. Once the need is identified, firefighters can also utilize the ‘share” button to text resource information to their patients, so that it is even more readily available to them. As a department, we are looking into ways to integrate Comal Cares into a QR code available on each of our ambulances.”
With over 600 programs available in the greater Comal County area, Comal Cares also features three specialized portals to help you find exactly what you need.
“The Housing Services, Mental Healthcare, and Love Should Not Hurt portals are designed to guide you to the right service or program, making your search more efficient and straightforward,” said Albert Ruiz of TIPHER.
Check out Comal Cares by visiting comalcares.org.
Need help navigating the site? Please click here.
You can also contact cares@mckenna.org for additional help.
NB Housing Partners‘ First Footing program offers case management, document recovery, mental and physical healthcare, and other services to community members experiencing homelessness.
Addressing one of the most critical crises in Comal County and the nation, NB Housing Partners is excited to invite the public to an exclusive screening of excerpts from the documentary Americans With No Address at the Brauntex Theatre on Tuesday, March 11 at 6:00 pm.
To reserve your free seat, please click here.
Americans With No Address is a powerful documentary that delves into the reality of homelessness in the United States. Produced by Robert Craig Films, the same team behind the feature film No Address, this documentary aims to offer a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those without stable housing. It takes viewers on a journey across the country, highlighting untold stories of those living without a permanent address while exploring potential solutions to the pressing issue.
Over the three-week journey spanning 20 cities, the documentary team interviewed over 175 individuals, including those experiencing homelessness, community members, government officials, and law enforcement. Through these diverse perspectives, the film seeks to answer critical questions: Why is homelessness happening? What are different cities doing about it? What is working and what is not?
“This film offers the public a unique opportunity to gain insight into the lives of individuals facing homelessness. It showcases effective strategies for addressing this issue, highlights local collaborative efforts, and raises awareness about this growing problem,” said Kellie Stallings, Executive Director of NB Housing Partners. “We have worked diligently to develop and maintain strong partnerships with community resources to combat housing insecurity and homelessness in our area. So, we are excited to offer this event to the public to shed light on not only the crisis and our efforts but also what steps we can take to address it further.”
Locally, NB Housing Partners’ First Footing program is at the forefront of combating the effects of chronic homelessness in our community. The root factors of homelessness are both community-related and individually-focused. Our community has addressed homelessness for over 20 years as collaborative partners, yet more work is needed.
Recent data from the annual Point in Time count, which surveys those experiencing homelessness, revealed an alarming trend that underscores the need for comprehensive and sustained efforts. Between 2023 and 2024, Comal County witnessed a 64% increase in homelessness and a tripling of unsheltered individuals.
With their 42-bed shelter continuously at capacity and with a waitlist as many as 99 people in 2024, NB Housing Partners hopes this free screening and discussion of Americans With No Address will raise awareness, foster empathy, and inspire action throughout the greater New Braunfels area.
During the event, there will be a community discussion between film excerpts to delve deeper into the challenges of life without a physical address, discuss local impacts, and explore potential solutions.
Guest speakers will include representatives from Hill Country MHDD, Acacia Medical Mission, Crisis Center of Comal County, law enforcement, Connections Individual and Family Services, the church community, and Salvation Army of New Braunfels
Please join us at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, March 11 at the Brauntex Theatre. Together, we will explore the reality of homelessness through hope, resilience, and humanity. To reserve your free seat, visit the Brauntex Theatre website.
Click here if you would like to donate in-kind items to support NB Housing Partners’ First Footing Shelter.
To learn more about Americans With No Address, visit www.americanswithnoaddress.com.
After joining the area nonprofit Kinetic Kids, Noelani Spicer quickly began to set national records in various events, such as javelin, discus, the 100-meter, and the 1,500-meter.
2024 was a milestone year for the New Braunfels-based McKenna Foundation, breaking admission records for the Children’s Museum, surpassing $30 million in lifetime community grants, and awarding grants to local schools for the first time in the Foundation’s history.
The McKenna Children’s Museum, which has won the Herald-Zeitung’s Best Children’s Attraction award for several consecutive years, welcomed nearly 126,000 visitors in 2024—a record high. The museum also hosted 300 educational events, further enriching the experiences of its young visitors.
In addition to its successes with the Children’s Museum, the McKenna Foundation also had a remarkable year supporting nonprofits, building relationships, and advancing the well-being of the greater New Braunfels community.
Awarding nearly $1.7 million in 2024, the Foundation has officially surpassed $30 million in grants since its inception. Some of its largest grants in 2024 included $100,000 for NB Housing Partners First Footing Program and $100,000 for Hill Country MHDD Center’s Crisis Care in Comal County Program.
In total, the Foundation awarded grants to 38 local nonprofit organizations.
2024 also marked the first year the Foundation awarded grants to local schools, distributing $35,000 across six schools (three from New Braunfels ISD and three from Comal ISD). These schools were recognized for their creativity in producing videos that showcased how they choose to be kind.
In addition to its grantmaking, the McKenna Events Center hosted nearly 1,000 nonprofit events, ranging from training opportunities and coalition meetings to various fundraisers and galas. Through these events, nonprofits raised more than $1.9 million.
“It is an honor to be able to provide our nonprofit partners not only with funding, but also with a space to gather, raise funds, learn, and grow,” said McKenna CEO Alice Jewell. “2024 has been a record year, not only for the McKenna Foundation but also for our partners and community.”
Looking forward to 2025, the Mckenna Foundation has kicked off a year-long campaign surrounding the idea of Choosing Kindness. Officially launched on January 24, the campaign aims to highlight the positive actions happening in Comal County and bring the good deeds of our neighbors to the forefront. Find out more or get involved by visiting www.choosekindnessnb.org, or follow the campaign on Facebook and Instagram.
These initiatives, along with the Foundation’s 2025 grantmaking, will further set the course for a healthier, thriving community.
Learn more about the McKenna Foundation by clicking here, or on Instagram at @mckennafoundation.
Nestled in the heart of downtown New Braunfels, the Mill Street Youth Center, located at the intersection of Mill Street and Academy Avenue, is making significant progress toward opening its doors to local youth.
Since its groundbreaking ceremony in October, which marked the start of the first phase of the project, the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative (NBYC) has made tremendous strides in renovating the gymnasium, repairing the foundation, and revamping the building’s interior.
Set to open in early May, the gymnasium has already seen substantial improvements, including HVAC, ADA compliance, new basketball hoops, a new scoreboard, and an updated fitness room with new equipment. With 40% of the gym complete, the NBYC is excited to continue its progress and open the gym doors this spring.
In just three months since the groundbreaking, the Mill Street Youth Center building is already 20% complete. The NBYC is currently focusing on foundation repair and stabilization, demolition, and asbestos removal. Following these improvements, the NBYC will begin working on HVAC replacements, ADA-compliant restrooms, a floor plan remodel, and a complete renovation of the bottom and first floors.
The Mill Street Youth Center is expected to be completed in early 2026.
Construction isn’t the only area where the NBYC has made progress. With the recent hire of Program Director Daniel O’Quinn, he and the Youth Advisory Council have been developing summer programs for the gymnasium. They are also planning a big summer bash event to kick off summer in early June.
Upon completion, the Youth Center will provide a safe environment for students in grades 6th through 12th, offering them the tools to grow, connect, and excel.
“The Mill Street Youth Center will fill a gap in our community by offering a wide range of high-quality programming during out-of-school hours,” said Executive Director Stacey Dicke. “This project preserves the history of the New Braunfels High School and ISD Education Center, while also providing a place for teens to thrive.
According to Dicke, the Youth Center will feature study rooms, a recording studio, an esports gaming area, a culinary kitchen, SAT prep, career development programs, tutoring, and several youth-focused programs.
As the project continues to progress, the NBYC is excited to breathe new life into the building, preserving the past while shaping a vibrant future for local youth.
For more information or to donate to the project, please visit www.thenbyc.com. Checks may also be sent to 801 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX 78130.
On Friday, January 24, the McKenna Foundation officially kicked off its Choose Kindness Campaign to celebrate the good things happening in Comal County.
