New Braunfels Christian Ministries (NBCM) exists to demonstrate Christ’s love by aiding the physical, mental, social, and spiritual growth of individuals and families in New Braunfels and surrounding communities. The organization operates two programs, Volunteers in Medicine and Kids Club, which annually serve 1,000 New Braunfels and Comal County residents.

NBCM’s primary goal is to help its neighbors multiply opportunities. Results of this high-level goal are measured through qualitative feedback and supporting program outcome goals. Volunteers in Medicine equips patients to achieve improved health and a stable health status which allows them to perform their role in the community. With diabetes, anxiety and depression ranking as some of the clinic’s most frequent medical diagnoses, the clinic will monitor and report clinical outcomes of patients during 2020. Clients diagnosed with depression/anxiety who complete six months of treatment will experience reduced symptoms of depression/anxiety, measured by the PHQ9 questionnaire. The clinic expects at least 60% to be successful. VIM help diabetic patients achieve and maintain an A1c value less than 9%. The clinic expects at least 66% to be successful. Kids Club evaluates reading levels and measures student ability to demonstrate good homework habits, respect and responsibility. Reading proficiency in third grade is the most important predictor of high school graduation and career success. Most students who fail to reach this milestone falter in later grades and often drop out. Kids Club provides one-on-one reading support for students. In the 2019/2020 school year, Kids Club will pursue these goals: 88% of the students will improve reading outcomes on the DIBELS Reading Assessment and 90% of students will demonstrate good homework habits, respect and responsibility.

The organization will continue leveraging volunteer support to help multiply possibilities in the community. Kids Club has built a committed volunteer base and strong partnerships with local churches and organizations. Volunteers help students develop skills that will equip them to succeed in life by building confidence in their academic abilities and learn skills to navigate challenging social situations. In 2018, 200 volunteers served at Kids Club Main Campus and at three school-based program sites. Kids Club will continue to build relationships with volunteers, local businesses and charities as NBCM expands to new school-based sites and launches a summer program in 2020. New Braunfels Christian Ministries strives to serve the community following a comprehensive and integrated approach. Volunteers in Medicine works to care for the whole person offering a broad array of services on-site and connecting patients with other community resources not available at the clinic. The clinic also continues to receive significant support from clinical volunteers and administrative volunteers who help deliver quality care to our neighbors in need.

In addition to outcome tracking and reporting, New Braunfels Christian Ministries’ staff members intentionally engage clients and their family members in conversations regarding services received, the impact of those services, and family needs. Program staff and volunteers get to know clients personally through the delivery of care and during conversations as patients await appointments or students await transportation. Staff members routinely share client feedback with co-workers and leadership. The information collected influences program planning and improvement.

Kids Club offers thirteen years of proven success helping students with low confidence and limited academic accomplishment to transform into students equipped with strategies and skills to perform on grade level and successfully navigate challenging social situations. The program has strategically grown serving 37 students in grades first and second in 2006 to 268 students from twelve schools in 2019. Kids Club launched a pilot program at its first school-based site at Morningside Elementary School in 2015. This was the program’s first time to serve students on a school campus. The successful model was replicated as Kids Club expanded to Goodwin-Frazier Elementary in 2016, Startzville Elementary in 2017, and Freiheit Elementary in 2019. Volunteers in Medicine opened in 2008 and remains the only organization providing a broad range of medical and dental services at no cost to uninsured, low-income New Braunfels and Comal County residents. The clinic expanded dental services by hiring a dental hygienist in 2015 and a dental assistant in 2018. In 2016, a second staff nurse joined VIM to support the growing team of volunteer providers. Expansion of the clinic’s specialty referral network has offered patients access to a broader array of services. In addition to serving patients at 6,066 on-site appointments in 2018, the clinic team referred patients to 1,110 appointments with specialists in cardiology, imaging, diagnostic mammography, radiology, physical therapy, ophthalmology, counseling and more. Facility renovation in 2019 created two new medical exam rooms and consult room to improve patient care. In 2020, NBCM will launch a new summer program at Kids Club offering eight weeks of an affordable summer day camp. The fun-filled, high-energy program will strengthen academic skills, teach biblical truths and counteract the summer learning gap.