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RecoveryWerks! gearing up for National Recovery Month

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.

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New Braunfels Youth Collaborative prepares for celebrity fundraising events

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.

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New Braunfels Youth Collaborative over halfway to $15 million initiative

The New Braunfels Youth Collaborative (NBYC) has raised 65% of the funds needed for a $15 million renovation to the historic New Braunfels High School, located at the intersection of Mill Street and Academy Ave.

Studies indicate that 18% of middle school-aged students and 35% of high school students are unsupervised after school hours. 43% of local students are facing economic challenges, with 21% unable to afford participation in afterschool activities. With this in mind, the NBYC is dedicated to providing out-of-school support for youth to foster their personal and educational growth.

To determine the necessity for a new communal space conducive to socializing, learning, and growth, the NBYC surveyed local youth. The findings revealed that 70% of students would utilize a local youth center.

Upon completion, the Mill Street Youth Center located at 430 W. Mill Street will boast study rooms, a recording studio, a culinary teaching kitchen, a renovated gym, and an esports gaming area. Furthermore, the center will offer SAT preparation, homework assistance, and a variety of other youth-oriented programs. This renovation will ensure the preservation of the building, which is over 100 years old and a registered historic landmark.

The youth center will be accessible to all students, grades 6th through 12th. Afterschool meals and snacks will also be provided to youth.

Additionally, the building will house offices for partners Communities in Schools and NBISD School of Choice.

The NBYC has secured a 50-year lease agreement with NBISD, intending to foster proactive values, social skills, and a positive learning outlook. They have raised $9.8 million through fundraising efforts toward the $15 million target. Various entities, including the Moody Foundation, Kronkosky Foundation, Communities in Schools, the New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation, American Rescue Plan Funding, United Way, and the McKenna Foundation, have contributed to the fundraising efforts.

Anticipating the completion of renovations by Fall 2025, the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative continues to welcome contributions and donations. To support youth in our community and contribute to the Mill Street Youth Center project, please visit www.thenbyc.com. Checks may also be sent to 801 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX 78130.

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McKenna Foundation awards $200,000 in funding to strengthen local family relationship programs

Oct. 26, 2023: The McKenna Foundation awarded $200,000 in grant funding to eight nonprofit organizations in Comal County in this year’s third and final round of grantmaking.

The Foundation awarded family relationship program grants to first-time recipients 1HOPE for Kids and Project 10:27 Inc.

1HOPE for Kids, a licensing foster and adoption agency, received funding for its Providing Hope and a Home for Kids in Crisis program, which offers a multifaceted approach to foster family assistance, recruiting, training and verifying families, as well as working alongside biological families to make necessary changes toward restoration. The agency also provides adoption services and partners with churches to establish and foster adoption ministries while developing support for foster families within their home churches.

Assisting Project 10:27 Inc. in its commitment to alleviating loneliness and social isolation experienced by senior adults, the Foundation granted funds for the agency’s planned expansion of engagement and outreach efforts with Comal County seniors, which includes its Caring Connections Card program and support of home and nursing home visits.

The Foundation also awarded grants to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center, CASA of Central Texas, Chosen Care Inc., Hope Hospice Foundation and New Braunfels Angels for its family relationship programs.

“The McKenna Foundation values families and funds programs that support all generations – kids, adults, and seniors,” said CEO Alice Jewell. “Ultimately, children thrive when their parents do. People’s needs change over time based on internal and external conditions, and Comal County is fortunate to have nonprofits with strong programs that meet needs for a lifetime.”

Foundation board members approved the grant requests during their October meeting.

McKenna’s family relationships portfolio is designed to fund nonprofit organizations providing skills and support to strengthen the family bond.

Funding areas for family relationship grants include youth development, parenting support, abuse/neglect prevention and recovery and senior services.

This year, the Foundation gifted nearly $2.1 million in grants to 42 nonprofit organizations in Comal County.

The Foundation accepts applications from verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving New Braunfels and Comal County residents. In addition, the Foundation maintains a geographic limitation that requires grant funds to be used for residents in Comal County.

McKenna began making grants to community nonprofits in 2009 and has since awarded nearly $30 million in grants to nonprofit organizations serving New Braunfels and Comal County residents.

Contact McKenna’s grant team at 830-606-9500 or email grants@mckenna.org for more information. Visit the Foundation’s website at www.mckenna.org.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters recruiting volunteer mentors in Comal, Guadalupe counties

September 27, 2023: Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children realize their potential and build their futures. And they need your help.

With 20 children in Comal and Guadalupe counties awaiting a match, volunteer mentors are needed more than ever.

Some kids today are growing up without the support and guidance they need to be successful. Without access to positive role models, they often fall prey to the dysfunctional cycles of poverty, delinquency, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, failure and incarceration.

The Comal & Guadalupe counties branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas is inviting potential mentors to find out more about the program during a mixer with free bowling and food on Oct. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Downtown Social, located at 386 West San Antonio St. in New Braunfels.

“We have expanded our staff to accommodate the increased need for services over the last year,” said Rianne Sykes-Wenske, director of the Comal & Guadalupe counties branch. “Even more families are reaching out, and we are committed to supporting them – which requires more volunteers. This event will help us get the word out and share more about the magic that happens when a child gets matched with their mentor. Come out and have some fun with us.”

The program in Comal and Guadalupe counties has seen remarkable success in the last two years. According to Sykes-Wenske, 100% of the matches are still together after one year. Additionally, 100% of students in the program saw promotion to the next school grade level in the last year.

The movement started in 1904 when Ernest Coulter, a New York City juvenile court clerk, observed how many fatherless boys came through his courtroom and recognized they needed a positive adult role model to help them stay out of trouble. He recruited the first 50 volunteers, marking the beginning of the Big Brothers movement.

The Comal & Guadalupe counties branch started in 2001 to change the lives of children for the better, forever.

For more information and to RSVP for the Oct. 4 event, visit https://rb.gy/8ry4r or email rsykes-wenske@bigmentor.org.

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RecoveryWerks! readies for National Recovery Month; Sept. 15 Open House

Sept. 6, 2023: September is National Recovery Month, an observance promoting and supporting new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible. The 2023 theme is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”

Comal County is home to several organizations that promote, encourage and celebrate recovery daily. RecoveryWerks!, a local nonprofit, is one such organization.

RecoveryWerks! provides recovery support services for teenagers and young adults experiencing problems with substance use. Through state-certified peer recovery support specialists, they provide counseling, peer coaching, support group meetings, sober social activities, role modeling and accountability to help young people discover the freedom of life without the effects of mind-changing chemicals.

“We know that to young people, their peer group means everything,” said Zach Saunders, a licensed chemical dependency counselor and RecoveryWerks! youth services program director. “Nowadays, when a kid tries to become sober, it’s very different. It’s virtually impossible to avoid contact with other kids experiencing substance abuse problems. Ultimately, when we identify a young person with a substance abuse issue, they need a different set of friends. They need a different place to be. That’s what we try to provide.”

In addition to working with teens and young adults, RecoveryWerks! provides similar support to family members, ages nine and above, who have a loved one struggling with substance use disorder.

“Family members come here because their teen is in trouble, and they want to get them help,” said RecoveryWerks! Executive Director Debi Dickensheets. “The parents are concerned with their teenager dying or going down a path that is not recoverable. We work with the family members on how to enable recovery versus enabling addiction. We have a 12-step support group meeting for parents and grandparents, while other counselors are having a 12-step support meeting for the teens. We also have a 12-step support group meeting for brothers and sisters who are not using between the ages of nine and 17. Everybody in the group gets tools on how to help enable recovery.”

The Comal County Commissioners Court recently proclaimed September as National Recovery Month in Comal County, recognizing that while mental health and substance use disorders affect all communities nationwide, many within the community have embarked on a journey of improved health and overall 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 increase public awareness surrounding mental health and addiction recovery.

On Sept. 15, RecoveryWerks! is hosting a fun night for the entire family to celebrate the outpouring of community support for persons in recovery and the many lives changed through the recovery process.

The free event will be held at 790 Landa St. in New Braunfels from 6 – 10 p.m., featuring music, games, prizes, food trucks, community resources tables and an outdoor family movie that begins at sunset. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs, bring the family, and help celebrate National Recovery Month in the community.

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Child’s Advocacy Center plans new building to expand agency’s family counseling and investigator training programs

July 17, 2023

Helpers sometimes need help.

Plans for a proposed building expansion project are in the works that would allow the Children’s Advocacy Center of Comal County (CACCC) to offer specialized training and group support for multidisciplinary team members who work on child abuse cases.

CACCC got the okay from the New Braunfels City Council in February for $136,626 for the Counseling and Training Expansion Center project from an allocation the city received from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program, a part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The program provides funds to state, local and tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The organization is pursuing funding for the balance of the $341,565 needed for the project from other sources. The agency will provide a construction timeline once funding is secured.

CACCC provides a child-friendly facility with a multidisciplinary approach to prevent, detect, investigate and treat child abuse. The organization offers a place to minimize the number of interviews a child can experience. Investigators observe the interview via camera conducted by a professional, objective forensic interviewer, with the interview recorded for possible use in court.

But studies have shown that individuals who work on child abuse cases can suffer secondary trauma and empathetic strain, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to research by internationally recognized resilience and trauma prevention expert Olga Phoenix, about 70% of social workers suffer from secondary traumatic stress, and 65% of sexual assault therapists exhibit at least one symptom of secondary traumatic stress.

In addition, her studies indicated that 33% of law enforcement members showed high levels of emotional exhaustion and reduced personal accomplishment. The research also revealed that 37% of child protection service workers reported clinical levels of emotional distress associated with secondary traumatic stress, and 34% of female forensic interviewers experienced symptoms of secondary traumatic stress.

“They have faster burnout,” said Stacy Dufur, CACCC director of programs. “They have issues with mental health, physical health and relationships – just about anything that someone with first-hand trauma would be dealing with. Part of the reason we want to have the building constructed is to address some of those things in our community and keep the helpers we have.”

That’s where the additional building would come in. The space would allow the agency to provide training and support to alleviate this impact. Services would include research-backed seminars, support groups, yoga classes, art classes, celebration lunches, debriefing areas and counseling for these professionals.

CACCC’s multidisciplinary team encompasses 16 interagency partners and includes about 50 individuals in Comal County. During fiscal year 2022, the team reviewed 2,177 cases of potential child abuse through statewide intakes.

Plans call for constructing a metal building adjacent to the existing facility in the Gruene district of New Braunfels. The concept includes an open plan on the first floor with concrete floors sufficient to weather art projects. The plan provides seating for 300 people, restrooms and an audio/visual system set up for training.

The building will serve a dual purpose, fulfilling the agency’s primary mission by providing for an expansion of essential services and counseling to families experiencing trauma. Plans call for providing classes where parents can learn more about trauma, how to help their child cope, how to model positive behaviors for their children and how to connect with them.

Plans also call for the new space to host group-based therapy sessions that would allow parents to learn from other parents and increase healthy social connections between parents.

“We want to be able to offer different types of services – maybe to offer parenting to some of our families, different types of support and groups for our families,” said Natalie Lopez, the agency’s clinical director. “A lot of times these kids come in, and their family members are also struggling with what has happened, and so it gives them the opportunity to meet other people that are going through similar things and to have them as support.”

According to Trendy Sharp, the agency’s executive director, the space would also host groups for specific populations of children where they could practice the skills learned in therapy. The agency provided 1,235 hours of direct service counseling services in fiscal year 2022.

“A nurturing attachment with a parent is going to help a child be successful,” Sharp said. “If a child knows they can go to their parent and tell them something is happening to them, the child is going to be safer and do better in the long run. But sometimes, adults need help learning how to do that because it doesn’t come naturally. We all parent the same way we were parented and sometimes, that might not be the best or healthiest way.”

The expanded services also plan includes therapeutic art activities, reading circles, drumming circles, and yoga classes, according to Lopez. The space needed for those programs is currently unavailable in the agency’s current digs.

“The new space would be more inviting, warm, and more therapeutic,” she said. “Eventually, the idea is to help families continue to protect their children, to keep them safe and help them be successful.”

Since the creation of the CACCC in 2005, the organization has provided thousands of children with forensic interviews, counseling sessions, medical examinations and case coordination services. During the 2022 fiscal year, the organization conducted 336 forensic interviews, with 68% involving sexual abuse and 32% related to physical and other abuse or risk.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.comalcac.org. Donors can designate funds go toward the building project.

The CACCC is a partner organization with the McKenna Foundation.

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Point-in-Time 2023 count identifies more homeless individuals in Comal County compared to previous counts

July 5, 2023

A homelessness survey conducted during a cold January morning indicates more people in Comal County may not have a permanent roof over their heads this year compared to 2022.

Local agencies and organizations annually conduct a Point-in-Time count as a snapshot of the number of homeless persons on a single day. The survey is conducted throughout the state and the country. However, the count does not capture the total number of people who experience homelessness in the community on any given day or even over the course of a year, likely missing unsheltered individuals.

The count helps non-profit agencies and organizations understand how homelessness changes over time across numerous variables such as economic conditions, societal factors and policy advancement. It also allows organizations to spread awareness, engage and build relationships with unhoused neighbors and collaboratively address gaps in community resources.

The results of the 2023 annual snapshot count identified more individuals in Comal County self-reporting as experiencing homelessness compared to prior counts and more people experiencing chronic homelessness.

This year’s Point-in-Time count, conducted by the Comal County Homeless Coalition to determine the extent of homelessness in the community, identified 98 people experiencing homelessness, compared to 89 in the 2022 count. In the 2020 count, 46 homeless individuals were identified. Additionally, the survey identified 82 youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

The Point-in-Time count follows the federal definition of homeless: People living in a place not meant for human habitation, in an emergency shelter, in transitional housing or exiting an institution where they temporarily resided.

Of those self-identifying as experiencing homelessness, 45 were unsheltered, meaning they were sleeping on the street or sidewalk, in an outdoor encampment, under a bridge or overpass or in a vehicle.

“There was a 113% increase in the number surveyed between 2020 and 2023 and a 10.1% increase from 2022 to 2023,” said Kellie Stallings, executive director of NB Housing Partners, citing the survey results. “This shows that we are improving on our outreach and ensuring we survey all who are residing in a shelter. At the same time, it also indicates that homelessness is growing in our community.”

The count showed that 59% of those surveyed were experiencing homelessness for the first time. Even more concerning, the survey indicated that 32% had experienced homelessness more than once. The most considerable portion of those individuals, about 40.6%, have experienced homelessness four or more times.

“Homelessness creates or exacerbates health problems, substance addictions, and mental illness,” Stallings said. “It increases exposure to physical violence, police involvement, and the need for emergency care services, straining community resources.”

According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, people who are homeless have higher rates of illness and die on average 12 years sooner than the general U.S. population.

Two-person volunteer teams conducted surveys of people experiencing homelessness in selected areas in Comal County during the morning hours of Jan. 26. In addition, volunteers passed out supplies to individuals, regardless of whether they chose to participate in the survey or not.

Most surveyed were between the ages of 25 to 54. However, the most considerable increase of those surveyed was for individuals ages 18 to 24, with a significant increase also seen in youth younger than 18. Currently, 8% surveyed were younger than 18, and 8% were over 65.

The survey also indicated that 22% of those surveyed reported chronic homelessness, defined as individuals living in an emergency shelter, other safe haven or on the streets for six months or longer, compared to 15 during the 2022 count.

Additionally, the count showed a 250% increase in those who have experienced homelessness longer than three years compared to the 2020 survey to 2023 and a 16.7% increase from 2022 to 2023.

“The concern about the growth in those who have experienced homelessness more than once or for longer than six months is the negative impact on the person’s ability to obtain and maintain housing or employment, as well as the negative impact on their health and life trajectory,” Stallings said.

Also, six children under age 18 and five young adults ages 18 to 24 were experiencing homelessness in January. Of those children, two were five to 12 years old.
Of those participating in the count, 5% were veterans, 25% reported a serious mental illness, 9% reported a substance use disorder, and 9% were domestic violence survivors.

“Expanding affordable housing options in the community and increasing comprehensive care is vital, requiring both a healing and a housing focus, to resolve the emotional and physical cost of homelessness for both consumers and the community,” Stallings said.

A separate survey conducted in conjunction with the New Braunfels and Comal school districts identified 82 students experiencing homelessness. The survey found 75% of those individuals reported a history of family violence, 42% reported a history of child abuse, and 36% reported a history of sexual assault.

The National Runaway Safeline reports that family dynamics, abuse or neglect, mental health, and peer issues are the top four reasons a youth might run away or experience homelessness.

“Think about it this way,” the organization’s website states. In a classroom of 30 students, at least one of them will experience homelessness this year, without a safe living environment to call home and forced to couch surf, bounce among relatives and friends, live in shelters or stay on the streets.”

“These types of risk factors really impact future housing and high needs that contribute to long-term housing insecurity if these youth do not receive intervention that changes their current trajectory,” Stallings said.

To learn more, visit www.thn.org/texas-balance-state-continuum-care/data/pit-count-and-hic.