HILL COUNTRY FAMILY SERVICES INC
Navigating Life's Crossroads
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We’re more than a local food pantry. HCFS is here to help Kendall County citizens first survive a crisis and then learn to thrive in the community. CRISIS: A crisis can happen at any time: the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, an automobile accident leaving a family without transportation, the loss of affordable childcare, substance abuse, mental illness or a sick child.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Volunteer Program
In collaboration with the City of Boerne Emergency Operation Center and the Emergency Response Matrix, HCFS identifies and coordinates opportunities for nonprofit, faith based and civic volunteers to be trained to support the community in times of natural disaster.
Direct Client Engagement
Assessments and Community Resource Triage
Applications and Crisis Services Referrals
Establishment of Client Plan of Care
Financial Assistance
Food Assistance
Clothing and Household Assistance
Life Skills Education
Financial Literacy Education
Community Programs
Corner Cupboard Food Pantry and Grocery
Nutrition Classes
Volunteer Management
Blue Santa Christmas Program
Christian Men of Boerne Thanksgiving Distribution
Mobile Crisis Food Distribution
Community Nonprofit Crisis Response
Youth Toiletries
After Hours Emergency Food Pantry
Behavioral Health and Education
Life Spot App
Boerne ISD Addiction Recovery Specialist Sponsor
Boerne ISD Hope Squad Community Sponsor
Mental Health First Aid Instructor Trainers and Education
Kendall County Mental Health Outreach Team
Kendall County Mental Health First Responder Education
Crisis Counseling
Strategic Planning
Where we work
Awards
Nutrition Partner of the Year 2018
San Antonio Food Bank
Nonprofit of the Year 2020
Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce
Nonprofit of the Year 2015
Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce
Best Multi-Service Agency of the Year 2017
San Antonio Food Bank
Best Multi-Service Agency of the Year 2016
San Antonio Food Bank
Affiliations & memberships
Nonprofit of the Year - Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce 2020
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Decrease Stress using Perceived Stress Scale
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Family relationships, Ethnic and racial groups, Social and economic status, Work status and occupations
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
85% of clients experienced decreased stress as a result of financial assistance and intervention.
Move client from crisis to safe using Life Works Self Sufficiency Matrix
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Family relationships, Social and economic status, Work status and occupations
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Completion of goals using SMART Goals
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Family relationships, Social and economic status, Work status and occupations
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of clients who report adequate participation in their own treatment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Social and economic status, Work status and occupations, Family relationships
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of clients participating in educational programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Family relationships, Social and economic status, Work status and occupations
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Financial Literacy Program - 62 Classes, 14 participants, 40 hours of instruction
Number of clients for whom the transition plan is fully implemented (including receipt of all services as planned)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Family relationships, Social and economic status
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The goal of HCFS is to help every individual and their family successfully overcome a crisis. Our goal is to provide supplemental healthy groceries for 100% of our clients . Our goals is to reduce the level of stress for our clients by 50% within the first 3 months. Our goal is for 100% of our clients to set their own goals for success using SMART Goals. Our goal is for 80% of our clients to move from in-crisis to empowered within 12 months using the Life Works Self Sufficiency Matrix.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
FIRST, WE NOURISH AND CLOTHE OUR NEIGHBORS. After an initial application for HCFS services is received, a client is provided access to the Corner Cupboard, self-selection food pantry.
SECOND, WE LISTEN Clients are given an appointment to meet with an HCFS Case Manager in order to receive a comprehensive evaluation of their crisis. At the time of the appointment, next steps, actions, plans and goals are developed with the end in mind. Both clients and case managers commit together to work through the crisis toward sustainability.
THIRD, WE IDENTIFY BARRIERS Many barriers exist for clients. Case managers work with clients to help identify the barriers which prevent them from working through the crisis. Once identified, both case manager and client can create a plan to overcome or circumvent these challenges.
FOURTH, WE PLAN Both clients and case managers commit together to work through the crisis toward sustainability. The individualized plans may require more time and resources than others. Some clients work with case managers longer than others. The most important factor is that the client reaches a point of sustainability and no longer needs the emergent services of HCFS.
FIFTH, WE MOVE FORWARD
Clients set their own goals and we guide them to move forward with as many tools as possible. HCFS offers a variety of Life Skills Classes to help with barriers they may be facing including ESL, financial literacy and budgeting, motivation just to name a few.
SIXTH, We Re-Evaluate
We reassess quarterly to see if the solutions are working or not. We readjust as many times as necessary to help clients on their path toward sustainability.
SEVENTH, We Release
A crisis does not last a lifetime. We work carefully with our clients to ensure they are planning for their future after their crisis. Once they reach a place of sustainability, we close their file. We’re always available just in case something catastrophic happens again in their lifetime. Our hope is that they have gained strong stills working with HCFS and can navigate crisis in the future with a new lens.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our staff is uniquely trained and qualified to work closely with clients in crisis. We used standardized tools to ensure quality evaluations and measurements. We have an internal self-selection grocery store and resale shop which provides for the basic needs of each client and their family, Our case management team works very closely with each client to help them overcome their crisis. We provide education and resources and help them set
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We've served more than 1,000 clients. Our goal is to continue to serve and to move of our clients to self sufficiency in 2023.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
HILL COUNTRY FAMILY SERVICES INC
Board of directorsas of 11/21/2023
Mr. Burt Grabo
Burt Grabo
Retired (Nuclear Power Industry)
Ron Fielding
Retired (Hormel Foods)
Monica Velasco
Blue Azul Journeys
Bruce Colgate
Lost Pirogue Vineyards
Dr. Judy Fleming
Johns Hopkins
Mark Swensen
Valero Energy Corporation
Richard Caldwell
Retired
Michael Dippo
SWBC
Cindy Offutt
U.S.A.F JAG (Ret)
Marc DeWall
Cordillera Ranch
Ernie Richter
Retired
Christian Webster
Capital Group
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/02/2020GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.