The Rock Haus Foundation is inviting the community to share their voices, experiences, and insights to better understand the needs of individuals with special needs.

Rock Haus is seeking input from those who know these needs best: individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers, and the service providers who support them. By completing a community survey, participants can help identify gaps in local services, highlight the most urgent areas of support, and guide future efforts in Comal County and surrounding areas.

The feedback gathered will play a vital role in shaping upcoming programs, strengthening partnerships, and initiatives that better serve our community.

The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RockHaus and will remain open through March 20. 

The Rock Haus Foundation encourages anyone committed to strengthening resources for individuals with special needs to participate and share the survey with others.

“We want to learn what is working and what still needs attention,” said Rock Haus Foundation Executive Director Bill Barry. “This survey is an opportunity for our community to help impact what comes next.”

The Rock Haus Foundation is dedicated to fostering a community where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are welcomed and encouraged to participate in meaningful activities. According to Barry, this survey is an important step toward that vision.

Rock Haus currently offers a variety of programs for individuals with special needs, including music, art, dance, and chair-based Zumba. They also host parent advocacy groups, a service provider coalition, and bi-monthly Rock-The-Haus dance parties.

To learn more about the Rock Haus Foundation, visit rockhausfoundation.org, or follow on Facebook and Instagram at @rockhausfoundation.

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.

Read the full story here.

Early Matters-New Braunfels is an initiative that will benefit families and support child care providers to expand and improve their quality of service.

Read the full story here.

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.

Read the full story here.

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.

As many Comal County nonprofits face falling funds and growing demand, they remain committed to providing unwavering support to the people they serve.

Read the full story here. 

 

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!

The McKenna Foundation has released its 2024 Nonprofit Economic Impact Survey results, highlighting that while local nonprofit organizations continue to deliver essential services to our neighbors, they are increasingly stretched thin by rising demand and diminishing support.

The report, which collected responses from 43 local nonprofits, revealed that 44% of organizations surveyed reported a significant surge in demand for their services. Yet, this increase in demand is met with a decline in resources; volunteer hours have dropped by over 24%, representing a $846,000 loss in volunteer service value. Additionally, the report reveals a 44.4% decrease in government and public agency funding, compared to 2023.

Despite these challenges, the nonprofit sector remains a powerful economic and social force. In 2024, local nonprofits generated $85 million in revenue, directly impacting nearly 140,000 of our neighbors and providing employment for 1,096 people.

“The nonprofit sector is being asked to do more with less,” said McKenna Foundation CEO Alice Jewell. “We are seeing a steep decline in government and public funding, matched with a decline in volunteer support. We urge the community to step in–because when nonprofits thrive, everyone benefits.”

The report also sheds light on funding sources, noting that individual donors contributed just 7% of the total revenue in 2024, underscoring a critical opportunity for community members to make a difference.

The Foundation urges residents to take action in whatever way they can, whether it be through donating, spreading the word, or taking a lead.

“Start by learning about the incredible work nonprofits are doing. Volunteer your time, serve on a board, make a donation, or simply talk to people about the work of nonprofits. Every effort counts.” Jewell said.

Despite growing challenges, local nonprofits in New Braunfels and Comal County continue to rise to the occasion, providing support where it’s needed most. Whether it’s hunger relief, mental and behavioral health care, youth and senior services, housing assistance, or family well-being programs, these organizations remain dedicated to our community.

Visit mckenna.org to learn more about nonprofits and the incredible work they do. Find local resources by visiting comalcares.org.

*Organizations and booth numbers collected from Wurstfest.com.

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