To say it was a good week for Hill Country Family Services is a vast understatement.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries donated $100,000 to the agency that, in its own words, “operates at the intersection of urgent need and lasting change” for individuals and families who are in crisis in Kendall County.
“People who give money want to see the outcomes,” Almiger said of the six-figure unrestricted donation. “People always want to get behind an agency that’s doing the work. Everybody can get behind an effort ... and we can show you what it’s doing.”
The funds will be used to address and overcome the lack of mental and behavioral health resources for children in both the Boerne and Comfort school districts.
“We have established programs so we know how to make the change, so everyone that doesn’t have the resources, can get them,” she said.
Almiger had trouble hiding her excitement over the donation and what it signifies not only for HCFS but for the community it serves.
“We impressed a foundation so much, that they handed over $100,000, with no strings attached,” she said. “This kind of money, for us, is like winning the lottery. And the biggest compliment for an organization, is any money given for a purpose that isn’t designated.”
Almiger said it’s been a long, tough road for the six years she’s been at the HCFS helm.
“It took a while for the foundation to understand, or the community to buy in to what you’re doing,” she said.
“But we’ve turned the corner now. We see such progress with the individuals we are working with, in the schools and through law enforcement,” she said, adding, “Our agency is really pouring out into the community.”
As if the $100,000 donation wasn’t enough, Almiger then received word HCFS was the recipient of a $100,000 “challenge” grant from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation. For every donation hurdle HCFS hits, the Kronkosky grant will match them dollar for dollar.
“We have one year to raise that amount of money, paid in $25,000 increments. As soon as we raised $25,000, they release another $25,000, that’s how it works,” she said. “We have never received Kronkosky Charitable Foundation grant money before,” she added.
Monies raised will go to meet HCFS needs so it can better service its clients, whether that means additional training for staff, attending or hosting a big conference, or investing in a better software system.
While the $100,000 donation has no spending strings attached, the Kronkosky grant requires reports on spending and use of those dollars.
“We really try to pour into our community and collaborate ... you do have to report back on grants,” she said. “We use all of our budgets and resources to reach clients, old and new.”
HCFS has developed close working relationships with the Boerne ISD and sheriff’s office, through the formation of the Kendall County Behavioral Health Advisory Coalition, tasked with forming a systemic approach to address community needs and increase access to services in the county for behavioral health.
“We are part of the solution. We are part of insuring there are zero suicides in the county, that everybody can get the resources and aid that they need,” she said.
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