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Herald-Zeitung: McKenna Foundation honors impact of Comal County, New Braunfels nonprofits at Christmas breakfast

After gathering over 1,000 community nominations, the McKenna Foundation presented three local nonprofits with grant awards during its annual Christmas Breakfast.

The Foundation also gave a bonus award to a New Braunfels organization for its collaboration with Mental Advocacy Partners (MAP) in sparking community conversations surrounding mental health.

Read the full story here.

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Non-profits, public invited to participate in volunteer fair

The New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership New Braunfels class and the McKenna Foundation are set to focus on the importance of volunteerism in the community. To support this initiative, they will host a volunteer fair for both New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce members and the general public to visit with non-profit organizations and civic groups as a way to get more involved in the community.

The Volunteer Fair will be held at the McKenna Events Center on December 17, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

The event is aimed to connect local non-profits and groups with community members eager to volunteer. Participants in the volunteer fair will have an opportunity to learn about various organizations, their missions, and discover how they can contribute their time and skills to make a difference.

Not only is this fair a chance for organizations to recruit volunteers, but it also provides individuals with meaningful ways to get involved in the community.

The fair will initially open to the Leadership New Braunfels class, with access extended to other members of the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and the general public shortly after 3:30 pm.

Whether you are passionate about helping others, contributing to community development, or exploring other areas of interest, there is a place for you to make an impact!

Don’t miss this opportunity to get involved and contribute to the well-being of New Braunfels.

The event will take place at the McKenna Events Center, located at 801 W San Antonio St., from 3:30 to 4:30 pm on December 17.

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Exciting opportunity for one NBISD and CISD school to win $10,000 each

The McKenna Foundation is thrilled to announce that one school from New Braunfels Independent School District (NBISD) and one from Comal Independent School District (CISD) will each receive $10,000 as part of the Foundation’s final grants of the year.

As we approach the festive season, with Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, the Mckenna Foundation is eager to spread a message of kindness throughout our community. We are calling on schools to show us how they will ‘Choose Kindness!’

With $20,000 up for grabs, the Foundation invites each school in both NBISD and CISD to participate by creating and submitting a video.

The guidelines are simple: (1) one video per school, no longer than 60 seconds; (2) show us how you Choose Kindness; and (3) be creative!

After all submissions are received, a select panel of community judges will evaluate each video, considering creativity, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, originality, and the level of student involvement. One winner from each district will then be decided.

The contest opens on December 2, 2024, and the deadline for submissions is December 13, 2024. The winners will be announced prior to Winter Break!

“We are excited to gift $10,000 to one school from each district this year,” said McKenna CEO Alice Jewell. “Typically, our grants are awarded to local nonprofits serving our community, but we know our schools work so hard and make an extreme impact on our community, too. Our board felt that this is another way we can make some meaningful community investments while also getting the students and staff involved in something fun.”

The awarded funds are unrestricted, allowing the winning schools to allocate the $10,000 where it is most needed. This is an opportunity to not only win a substantial grant but to inspire and uplift our community through acts of kindness.

The McKenna Foundation looks forward to seeing the innovative and heartfelt ways our local schools plan to make a positive impact through kindness!

For more updates and information, please visit www.mckenna.org and follow the Foundation’s social media channels @mckennafoundation.

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McKenna Foundation seeks community input for two year-end grant recipients

The McKenna Foundation plans to culminate a fantastic and productive year by awarding two year-end unrestricted grants to nonprofit partners. This year, the Foundation is once again asking the community to participate in the nomination process!

The Foundation is thrilled 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 a stellar partner to the community? Who deserves special recognition for going above and beyond? This is your opportunity to shine light on those who have made a lasting impact.

Nominate 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 10.   

“For many years, we have asked our nonprofit partners to nominate one of their peers. However, last year we decided to involve the community, and we were overwhelmed by the response, receiving over 3,300 nominations,” said McKenna’s program officer Kristen Fain. “With such a great community response, we are excited to do it again this year and hear from even more voices!”

The recipients will be announced during the Foundation’s annual Christmas Breakfast on December 17 at the McKenna Events Center. The news will be shared on the McKenna website.

This year, the Foundation has already awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants to 39 nonprofit organizations in Comal County. Since the Foundation began its grantmaking efforts in 2009, nearly $30 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 recipients!

For more information or to nominate a deserving nonprofit to receive an end-of-the-year impact grant, please visit the McKenna website. Follow McKenna on Instagram at @mckennafoundation.

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New Braunfels proclaims National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

The City of New Braunfels has declared November 17 through November 23, 2024, as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week to raise awareness of food insecurity and homelessness in our community.

On Monday, November 18, representatives from NB Housing Partners, Crisis Center of Comal County, Salvation Army, Comal Mental Health, and the New Braunfels Food Bank accepted the proclamation.

“We are honored to accept this proclamation for recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Week,” said NB Housing Partners executive director Kellie Stallings. “Last year, our First Footing Program had over 527 people ask for help, so I am happy that the city recognizes that homelessness and food insecurity affect so many in our community. No one agency or entity can solve food or housing insecurity, which continue to grow as our community grows. The City of New Braunfels, Comal County, and our non-profit agencies must work together to effectively address these social issues.”

In recent years, the annual Point in Time count, which surveys those experiencing homelessness, has revealed alarming trends. Homelessness doubled from 2020 to 2022, increased by 10% in 2023, and surged by 64% in 2024. Last year, the number of unsheltered individuals tripled compared to 2023.

According to the proclamation, “a minimum of 600 will face the devastating challenges of homelessness this year.”

Often intertwined with homelessness, the proclamation also brings awareness to hunger in our community, noting that an estimated 18,000 people experience food insecurity annually.

In 2023, the New Braunfels Food Bank alone distributed over 2.8 million pounds of food to local hungry individuals and families. Additionally, 62% of the food-insecure population in Comal County is above the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) threshold, according to Feeding America. For a family of four, this would mean earning more than $4,125 a month.

The proclamation serves as a call to action for the community to raise awareness, support programs, and advocate for policies to reduce and prevent hunger and homelessness.

“I encourage all residents, businesses, and organizations to recognize the challenges faced by those experiencing hunger and homelessness, support efforts to end food insecurity and homelessness, and create a future where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing,” the proclamation read.

If you or someone you know are experiencing homelessness or hunger, please contact one of the following local organizations that are here to support our community: NB Housing Partners, Crisis Center of Comal County, Salvation Army, Comal Mental Health, the New Braunfels Food Bank, SOS Food Bank, CRRC, Family Promise of Greater New Braunfels, and Connections Individual and Family Services.

As the holidays approach, please consider donating or volunteering your time with these vital nonprofit organizations.

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McKenna Foundation approves final grants of the year

The McKenna Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved $108,000 in grant funding during the final grantmaking session of the year.

Trustees voted to distribute this amount among nine nonprofit organizations within the McKenna Foundation’s Family Relationships Portfolio. The funding will support initiatives aimed at meeting the needs of our local senior population, children, youth, and families.

One of the organizations receiving funding is the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center (BSBAC), which was approved for $22,500. The BSBAC provides comprehensive programs designed to support older adults, promote independent living, and battle isolation. Serving rural Comal County, the BSBAC also serves approximately 87 individuals through its Meals on Wheels program, addressing seniors’ nutritional needs, health, socialization, and overall quality of life.

Trustees also approved $8,000 of funding for Project 10:27. According to the CDC, socially isolated seniors face a 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 29% higher likelihood of heart disease, and a 32% increased risk of a stroke. Project 10:27 aims to alleviate these risks by reducing loneliness and social isolation among our neighbors through programs that cater to their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

“We are immensely thankful to the McKenna Foundation for their generous support of our mission. This grant not only validates our efforts to combat loneliness among seniors but also invigorates our commitment to this cause.,” said Project 10:27 founder and executive director Shane Carter. “Their partnership is instrumental in enabling us to expand our reach and deepen our impact, ensuring that every senior we serve feels truly valued, connected, and cared for. Together, we are building a strong community where no senior has to endure isolation alone.”

1HOPE for Kids was approved for $10,000 by the McKenna Board. The organization offers foster care services, supporting children and families by recruiting and training foster parents, facilitating matches, providing education, and more. Since its inception, 1HOPE for Kids has licensed over 400 families, served more than 1,000 children, facilitated 340 adoptions, and helped over 480 children reunite with their families.

New Braunfels Angels, a nonprofit based in New Braunfels, will receive $7,500 in funding to support its Dare to Dream program. This initiative provides one-on-one mentorship to foster youth at risk of aging out of the foster care system. With a 72% rise in youth experiencing mental health issues and nearly 50% of local students identified as “at-risk,” the Dare to Dream program aims to provide foster youth with stability, mentorship, and trauma-informed care.

This third and final round of grantmaking for the year concentrated on the Foundation’s Family Relationships Portfolio, which aims at empowering all generations with the skills and support required to strengthen family bonds. Funding areas include child and youth development, parenting support, abuse and neglect prevention and recovery, and senior services.

With the final grants approved, the Foundation has distributed over $1.4 million to local nonprofit organizations in 2024 alone. In June, the Foundation allocated $575,000 in grant funding under its Basic Needs Portfolio, and in August, it distributed $564,000 to nonprofits within the Education and Health Portfolios.

Since 2009, the McKenna Foundation has granted nearly $30 million to local nonprofits. In 2025, the Foundation looks forward to continuing its legacy and investing in local nonprofit organizations to create a lasting impact on the community.

For more information please visit the McKenna Foundation website or follow us on Instagram @mckennafoundation.

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Kenneth Anderlitch to come down San Antonio St. in 1,800-mile run for recovery

One man, 1,800 miles, six weeks—Kenneth Anderlitch is nearing the final stretch of his incredible run from Washington D.C. to San Antonio and will be running down San Antonio Street soon.

Join us at the McKenna Events Center the morning of October 31 to line the streets to cheer him on! You can even run with Anderlitch for the stretch between the Brauntex Theatre and McKenna!

His estimated timeframe is between 8 a.m. and noon. Please visit mapcomal.org or follow @mapcomal on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date information and his time of arrival.

Averaging around 45 miles a day, Anderlitch began this extraordinary journey on September 20, driven by a mission to raise awareness and funds for Families in Recovery. This new program offered by Haven for Hope allows parents and guardians in a substance use disorder recovery program to remain with their children.

Having lost his mother to addiction at just 20 years old, Anderlitch struggled with substance use and found himself homeless at a young age. As a former client of Pay it Forward, which offers recovery support after drug and alcohol rehabilitation, he discovered that running helped him in his recovery journey, keeping him focused on his physical and mental health.

Now, eight years sober and working with Haven for Hope—San Antonio’s largest homeless shelter— Anderlitch has raised over $33,000 for the new program through his run halfway across America.

“I feel strongly about giving back to those who helped me when I needed it the most. I wish my mom would have found help and healing and was with us today. Her memory keeps me motivated and I hope we will help many families with this new program,” Anderlitch said.

In partnership with Lifetime Recovery, Pay it Forward SA, and Haven for Hope, Ken hopes to raise $50 for every mile he runs, aiming for a total of $90,000 for the Families in Recovery Program.

The ambitious run from Washington D.C. to San Antonio is not Anderlitche’s first big achievement as a runner. In November 2022, he embarked on an 840-mile run across Texas to raise awareness for the same cause; recovery. Averaging 44.2 miles a day and running through 19 pairs of shoes, Anderlitch completed the route in just 19 days (about two and a half weeks), raising $56,897 for Pay it Forward.

You can watch “The Road to Recovery: Ken’s Journey Across Texas” documentary on YouTube.

At over 1,500 miles of his 1,800-mile trek, Anderlitch is quickly approaching New Braunfels and his ultimate finish line at Haven for Hope in San Antonio. Keep up to date on his current location by visiting www.runkenrun.org. Donations for the Families in Recovery Program can be made on the site as well.

We invite you to be a part of this monumental moment as Ken nears the finish line, bringing hope and help to families in recovery. It is projected that he will run down San Antonio Street sometime between 8 a.m. and noon on October 31. Join us at the McKenna Events Center to line the streets, or join him on the run from the Brauntex Theatre to McKenna!

Visit www.mapcomal.org or @mapcomal on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on his estimated arrival time in New Braunfels.

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The New Braunfels Youth Collaborative is breaking ground

The New Braunfels Youth Collaborative (NBYC) is gearing up to hold its groundbreaking celebration for the Mill Street Youth Center.

More than just a preservation project, restoring the former New Braunfels High School and New Braunfels ISD Education Center at 430 W. Mill Street is an investment in our community’s future.

Kicking off the first phase of the project, the NBYC will hold its groundbreaking ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 18th at 430 W. Mill Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Phase 1 includes gymnasium renovations and foundation repairs and demolition inside the building.

The Mill Street Youth Center will create opportunities for students to build connections with peers, caring adults, and our local community; explore interests, develop skills, and embrace new experiences; strengthen physical, mental, and emotional wellness; and pursue academic success and visioning for their futures, while enjoying a safe space to relax, have fun, and be themselves.

Nestled in the heart of downtown, the building also stands as a testament to the city’s rich educational history. Restoring the iconic building as the Mill Street Youth Center will preserve the past and shape a vibrant future. By repurposing this site as a dynamic space for teens, the NBYC honors its legacy and will breathe new life into the building, ensuring that it once again becomes a central, positive force in our community.

San Antonio-based Metropolitan Contracting Company (METRO) is the General Contractor charged with the construction of the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative facility.

“The Historic building of 430 W. Mill Street is more than just a preservation project to METRO; it’s an investment in New Braunfels Youth to build a stronger community. In collaboration for this mission, several community leaders have meticulously planned this facility, and we are all honored to break ground and take this from a vision to a community landmark.” said Chief Executive Officer Jane Feigenbaum, Chief Executive Officer.

Designed to be a vibrant and dynamic environment for students aged 12 to 18, the Mill Street Youth Center will offer a range of high-quality programming during out-of-school hours. “The Mill Street Youth Center will fill a gap in our community by offering teens a place to connect, grow, and thrive. This project is not only transformational for our community by modeling that our youth are worth investing in, but it also preserves the history of the New Braunfels High School and New Braunfels ISD Education Center,” said NBYC Board Chair Gary Seals.

The NBYC invites the public to join in on the celebration and to attend the groundbreaking on October 18, taking one step closer to fostering a better future for our youth.

To donate or for more information about the Mill Street Youth Center or the NBYC, please click here.