On September 5, Comal County commissioners, in collaboration with Hill Country Mental Health & Development (MHDD) Centers, proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Month.
Read the full story here.
Note: This is the second of three articles aimed at raising awareness around the impact, importance, and struggles of nonprofits in the lead-up to The Big Give on September 18-19, 2024. Read the first article here.
The business model of nonprofit organizations presents unique challenges, particularly during a time when inflation and political landscapes are shifting. For many local nonprofits, a downward trend in community contributions is beginning to threaten their most vital lifeline.
Charitable donations and philanthropy are the driving forces for nonprofit organizations. These two distinct actions are crucial for supporting the mission of a nonprofit and are essential for its survival.
However, relying on donations and grants presents unique challenges. These funding sources are inconsistent and unpredictable, making it difficult for nonprofits to financially plan for their operations and programs. In many ways, nonprofit organizations rely on the community for support so that they, in turn, can support the community.
Donating to a local nonprofit is a voluntary expense for individuals, corporations, and foundations. So, why should the community support nonprofits in this way?
The main reason is to ensure that nonprofit-based services, which are intentionally poised to sustain and improve lives, can continue. For instance, a local nonprofit that serves senior citizens heavily depends on donations to combat senior isolation and food insecurity. A recent decline in donations and volunteers has jeopardized services, which provides over 85,000 meals to 570 local seniors annually. Without community support, seniors could be neglected and even go hungry. In no instance should anyone in this community allow this vital nonprofit to disappear.
Similarly, another local nonprofit provides care to families with children with special healthcare needs and offers autism education and bereavement support for those who experience the death of a child. This organization served around 527 individuals and families in New Braunfels and Comal County in 2023. Their mission is alive due to donations, events and philanthropy. As financial support for this niche service model declines, a reduction in care for the community’s most vulnerable families follows.
Money coming into nonprofits has been on a gradual decline since the pandemic. Despite 2023 recording the highest tidal wave in charitable contributions ever at $557.16 billion nationwide, overall giving dropped by 2.1% after adjusting for inflation, according to Giving USA 2023. In 2022, after inflation adjustments, contributions fell by 10.5%.
Downturns, due either to global shifts or donors’ financial situations, have a direct impact on nonprofit organizations. Like the donors, nonprofits are also hit by inflation and economic uncertainty. Their vulnerability, however, is heightened because they depend on donations and grants, but unlike for-profit businesses, they cannot increase prices.
Presidential election years also pose unique challenges for nonprofits. In times of uncertainty, donors may hesitate when considering who, where and how much to give due to shifting priorities and fear of what may come. The inevitable fluctuation of public opinion further complicates an unpredictable giving cycle. When donors hold back, nonprofits encounter increased competition for dollars on top of the complex fundraising programs they must execute to acquire those funds.
Nonprofits involved in prominent, higher-profile issues often receive more funds, which leaves other critical organizations competing for the remaining resources. In the face of inflation, an election, and dwindling donations, the capacity of nonprofits diminishes significantly, while the demand for their essential services grows exponentially.
Despite downward trends in giving, local nonprofit organizations continue to push through tough times to give back to the community that has stood by them. Amidst economic uncertainties and political distress, these organizations remain optimistic about the future. They move forward in faith that the community they aid will continue to support their work.
Thankfully, fundraising initiatives such as The Big Give offer nonprofits a chance to increase outreach, tell their stories, and further engage with the community to raise needed funds. As they navigate difficult times, please lend your support. Your donations and volunteer efforts give them a lifeline to do things like feed hungry seniors and support our most fragile families.
The McKenna Foundation’s Board of Trustees has approved $564,000 of grant funding across 18 partner organizations within the Education and Health Portfolios.
In the second grantmaking session of the year, trustees voted to distribute $70,000 among two local education organizations, Canine Classmates and the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative. Additionally, $494,000 was distributed between 16 organizations under the Health Portfolio.
With a focus on an integrated health model, the Acacia Medical Mission in the Bulverde area is set to receive $17,500 to support its mobile mental and physical health care and outreach initiatives. Over the past year, Acacia has seen a significant increase in demand for mobile medical care in rural Comal County, which now represents 37% of its clientele. This funding is aimed at assisting Acacia reach our rural neighbors who are uninsured, face long commutes for medical care, or are experiencing homelessness.
Trustees also approved a $45,000 grant for recovery-oriented partner RecoveryWerks!, which has reported a significant increase in young adults and their families seeking services. Between January and May 2024, they assisted nearly 50 additional community members and provided 499 more services compared to the same timeframe in 2023. Given the ties between substance use disorder and mental and physical well-being, this funding is anticipated to enhance their group meeting, individual counseling, and sober social activity programs.
Three additional nonprofit partners dedicated to mental and physical health care for local individuals, families, and children are set to receive funding to support their initiatives. Hill Country MHDD Centers will receive $100,000, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Comal County will be granted $35,000, and River City Advocacy and Counseling is set to receive $40,000.
All 18 of the McKenna partners approved for grant funding are committed to providing valuable services to our neighbors and continue to work together as needs in our community grow.
This second round of grantmaking for the year focused on the Foundation’s Education Portfolio, aimed at improving the quality of life through quality education and social support. It also covered the Health Portfolio which supports mental and physical health, health care support, and access to care.
The application window for the Family Relationships Portfolio is now open. Applications are to be submitted by September 9.
The Foundation accepts applications from verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Comal County residents. In 2024, the Foundation is accepting applications from previously funded grantees. For more information please contact us at 830-606-9500, email grants@mckenna.org, or visit our apply for a grant page.
Six months into the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program, the New Braunfels Fire Department celebrated a significant achievement by transitioning their first 911 super-utilizer to a life of self-sufficiency.
Fire Chief Ruy Lozano announced on August 15 that this milestone signifies six months without the need for 911 assistance from the individual, who had previously used the service over 20 times in 2023. Now, thanks to the MIH program’s support and guidance, this individual is living independently without official assistance.
The program, which was launched in January 2024, is housed out of Fire Station No. 2 in New Braunfels and is in collaboration with the McKenna Foundation. The program aims to alleviate the burden of 911 emergency services by addressing high volumes of non-emergency calls.
In 2023, officials received approximately 1,300 emergency calls from residents who frequently call, some dialing 20-30 times a year. These calls often involve non-emergency situations such as requests for transportation, healthcare access, or insurance issues.
The MIH program allows specialists to visit these callers regularly to address their healthcare needs. Through analyzing incoming calls, the MIH program intervenes when necessary to not only aid these individuals, but also avoid excessive use of emergency services, reduce costs, and provide resources that might not otherwise be available to them.
With the implementation of the program, there has been a notable decrease in 911 calls from the 58 identified frequent callers, and officials are optimistic about transitioning more participants towards self-reliance.
As temperatures and humidity continue to rise throughout the month, several local resources are available for individuals to cool down and avoid health risks associated with extreme heat events.
Extreme heat, such as temperatures above 90 degrees and high humidity that Comal County is expected to experience this week, can lead to heat-related illnesses. These may include heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rash. Thankfully, however, nonprofit organizations are providing cooling centers to help our neighbors cool off from the summer sun.
The Crisis Center of Comal County (CCCC) welcomes anyone in need of a cooling center. They provide ample space to cool down, along with food and water as necessary. The CCCC cooling center will be open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and is located at 655 Landa Street in New Braunfels.
Additionally, the Community Resource and Recreation Center (CRRC) of Canyon Lake offers a cooling center from 9 am to 4 pm, with snacks and water for visitors. The CRRC recreation center is located at 125 Marble Jones Drive, and its resource center is at 1941 FM 2673 in Canyon Lake.
Hill Country MHDD, while not an official cooling center, invites the public to use their air-conditioned lobby from 8 am to 5 pm, as needed. Hill Country MHDD can be found at 358 Landa Street in New Braunfels.
For further information and assistance in locating a nearby cooling center, contact 2-1-1 Texas.
Note: Information collected from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, use only as a guide.
Early signs of heatstroke include a high body temperature, excessive sweating, and flushed skin. Symptoms of heat stroke may also encompass an altered mental state, nausea, or headaches, and could result in losing consciousness.
Heat exhaustion may present a feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness, weakness, profuse sweating, and a rapid heartbeat. Additional identifying symptoms can include cool or moist skin, headaches, and nausea or vomiting.
Heat Cramps are often characterized by muscle spasms or pain, typically occurring in the abdomen, arms, or legs. Heat Rash, on the other hand, can be identified by clusters of red bumps on the skin that cause itchiness.
Extreme heat can pose a risk and lead to heat-related illnesses for everyone. Those particularly vulnerable, however, include our neighbors experiencing homelessness and those with pre-existing mental health conditions.
According to the 2024 HUD Point in Time report, approximately 161 of our neighbors are experiencing homelessness in Comal County. These individuals face significant risks due to continuous exposure to heat, whether living in vehicles, on the streets, or in an outdoor encampment. If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, visit the nonprofit resource directory page for local resources.
Our neighbors with mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety are also at high risk, as extreme heat may worsen symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association notes that certain medications for mental health, including some antipsychotics and antidepressants, can increase risk by affecting how the body regulates temperature. If you or somebody you know is experiencing a mental illness that may be heightened due to extreme heat, visit MAP Comal for local resources.
As temperatures climb, many organizations are in need of supplies such as cooling towels and bottled water. Please refer to the resource directory page for a list of nonprofit organizations that may need supplies.
September is National Recovery Month, a national observance dedicated to promoting and supporting new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, celebrating the strong and proud recovery community, and recognizing the commitment of service providers and communities that facilitate recovery in all its forms.
Comal County is home to several organizations that advocate, support, and celebrate recovery daily. RecoveryWerks!, a local nonprofit, stands out among them.
RecoveryWerks! offers recovery support services for teenagers and young adults struggling with substance use. With the aid of state-certified peer recovery support specialists, they provide counseling, peer coaching, support group meetings, sober social activities, role modeling, and accountability to help young individuals embrace a life free from the influence of mind-changing chemicals.
“Acceptance and peer groups mean everything to our young people,” said Zach Saunders, a licensed chemical dependency counselor and RecoveryWerks! youth services program director. “Being a young person and trying to live a sober life presents unique challenges these days because it’s virtually impossible to avoid contact with other kids experiencing substance abuse problems. At RecoveryWerks!, we focus a lot on putting fun into the recovery process because we want these young people to see how much fun recovery can be. It’s through this spirit of fun that we help young people find a new group of friends who prioritize recovery and authenticity.”
RecoveryWerks! extends its support to family members, ages nine and above, who are worried about a loved one’s substance use.
“Getting the entire family involved in the recovery process makes a big difference,” said Joanne Daxon, a licensed chemical dependency counselor and RecoveryWerks! program director. “We know that substance use disorder affects every member of the family in different ways. Through support group meetings and counseling, we help parents, grandparents, and guardians learn how to enable recovery versus enabling addiction. We also have support group meetings specifically designed for youth, between the ages of nine and 17, who are not using substances but are affected by a family member who does. Engaging the whole family in the process of recovery is the best way to support those we love with this disease and bring about family healing.”
The Comal County Commissioners Court has proclaimed September as National Recovery Month in Comal County, acknowledging that while mental health and substance use disorders impact communities across the nation, many local individuals have embarked on a journey of improved health and wellness.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched National Recovery Month in 1989 to raise awareness about mental health and addiction recovery.
RecoveryWerks! will host a Family Fun night on September 13 to honor the community’s support for those in recovery and the numerous lives transformed by it.
The free event will be held at 790 Landa St. in New Braunfels, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. It will feature music, games, prizes, food trucks, community resources tables, and an outdoor family movie at sunset. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and their families to join the celebration of National Recovery Month in the community. Click here for more information.
Note: This is the first of three articles aimed at raising awareness around the impact, importance, and struggles of nonprofits in the lead-up to the Big Give 2024.
Nonprofit organizations are complex and influential entities. While commonly perceived as groups of people rallying around a cause for community benefit, they are much more than that. In reality, nonprofits can contribute substantially to the local economy, sometimes surpassing the economic influence of for-profit businesses.
One of the most common distinctions between nonprofit and for-profit organizations lies in financial operations. Nonprofits, created to serve the public good, reinvest their income to advance their cause, while for-profit businesses aim to maximize profits for their owners and shareholders. While both types of organizations aim to generate revenue, nonprofits prioritize social impact over financial gain.
Nonprofit organizations must be rooted in charity and are legal entities that benefit from tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). This status allows them to prioritize their mission and allocate all resources toward it. However, this also subjects them to complex laws and regulations at both state and federal levels, which for-profit organizations do not fall subject to.
These points highlight some of the distinctions and similarities between nonprofit and for-profit organizations. However, the most important misconception surrounding the two rests in their economic impact. Contrary to common belief, nonprofits not only contribute to community improvement through impacting individuals but they also have a significant, sometimes greater, economic impact compared to for-profit entities.
Nonprofit organizations not only impact society with their mission-driven initiatives and services but they also significantly influence the economy. Employment, for example, is one such area of impact.
Nationally, nonprofits employ around 12.3 million individuals, according to the National Council of Nonprofits. In our local community, the sector provides jobs for over 700 residents, compared to just over 100 in the transportation and travel industry. Additionally, the hospitality industry, often touted as a driving force in our community, directly employs slightly over 1,000 locals in lodging, only a few hundred more than the nonprofit sector. This highlights the role nonprofits play in creating community employment opportunities.
Worker earnings also reflect this economic importance. A 2022 report showed that the local nonprofit sector’s total annual payroll was $41 million, surpassing the transportation and travel industry’s $2.5 million and nearing the entertainment industry’s $45.2 million direct earnings, per a recent city economic report.
Moreover, nonprofits stimulate economic activity. For instance, a visit to the Brauntex Theatre in New Braunfels might lead to dining out, purchasing a new outfit, or paying for parking. This underscores the nonprofit theatre’s broad economic impact which fosters jobs, increases tax revenue, and supports local businesses.
A 2022 McKenna survey also revealed that the local nonprofit sector generated approximately $82 million in revenue from various sources, such as state and federal agencies, along with several other entities outside the community. Of this revenue, $68 million was reinvested into the economy by supporting local goods and services, including new construction, purchasing hospital beds, or buying everyday items like office supplies.
Often misconceived as entirely separate from for-profit businesses, nonprofits share more similarities with them than some may recognize. This common misunderstanding leads to the underappreciation of just how much nonprofits contribute to the local economy.
Functioning far beyond generating profit, nonprofit entities are a powerful force. They signify a dedication to a better society and embody the potential of an organization driven by mission, which, in turn, enhances our community both socially and economically.
The New Braunfels Youth Collaborative (NBYC) is gearing up for two exciting fundraising events as they edge closer to their goal of a $15 million renovation of the historic New Braunfels High School into the Mill Street Youth Center.
On Thursday, September 12, the NBYC will host TeeUp for Teens Celebrity Dinner and Reflections. This event offers the public an opportunity to spend an evening with celebrity athletes, enjoy a served dinner, and listen to a live panel discussion featuring the celebrities.
Among the 18 celebrities attending, the panel will feature Pro Football Hall of Famer Robert Brazile, former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Dat Nguyen, current coach for the San Antonio Brahmas Wade Philips, and former quarterback for the Houston Oilers Dan Pastorini. The panel will be moderated by award-winning American sportswriter John McClain.
NBYC is offering Celebrity Host Tables, where seven guests and a celebrity will share the table, along with a VIP reception prior to the event, wine service, and acknowledgment at the event and on NBYC media channels. Additionally, Friends of NBYC tables are available for groups of eight, providing reserved seating, as well as individual tickets with open seating.
The event is scheduled to take place at the McKenna Events Center on September 12 at 5:30 pm.
The following day, the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative will hold the TeeUp for Teens Celebrity Golf Tournament. Playing in the tournament will be 18 celebrity athletes, including those from the panel, as well as former NFL wide receiver Doug Donley, three-time Olympic medalist Cat Osterman, and former MLB starting pitcher Shane Reynolds, and more.
The golf tournament is set for September 13 at 8:30 am at the Land Park Golf Course. It will be a four-person scramble format and will offer not only the chance to meet and play alongside these celebrity athletes, but will also include breakfast, lunch, and cash prizes.
Participants can register as a foursome or as a trio accompanied by a celebrity.
Registration and sponsorship details for both events can be found at www.thenbyc.com/golf-tournament/.
Sponsoring or participating in these events will help raise funds for the Mill Street Youth Center, located at the intersection of Mill Street and Academy Avenue. Upon completion, the Youth Center will provide a safe environment for students in grades 6th through 12th to grow, connect, and excel.
The center is expected to be completed by Fall 2025 and will feature study rooms, a recording studio, a refurbished gym, an esports gaming area, and a culinary teaching kitchen. It will also offer homework help, SAT prep, and various other programs tailored for local youth.
For donations, registration forms, sponsorships, or further information, please visit www.thenbyc.com. Checks may also be sent to 801 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX 78130.
On August 9th, the McKenna Children’s Museum hosted its KinderBash event to kick off the start of the school year. The festivities included the New Braunfels Public Library’s bookmobile, a New Braunfels ISD bus, a scavenger hunt around the museum, and other back-to-school activities.
Read full story here.
In Bulverde, Acacia Medical Mission’s healthcare clinic offers dental services to rural residents who face challenges accessing dental care. Offering a range of medical services and wellness programs, Acacia Medical Mission remains a vital resource for the rural population of Comal County.
Read the full story here.
