NEW BRAUNFELS — Family Promise of Greater New Braunfels launched the Superhope Summer Enrichment Program to provide childcare and activities for children staying in the organization's shelter while their mothers work. The organization contracted a camp aide caregiver to oversee summer activities, with the program projected to cost approximately $30,000 for the summer period.

Executive Director Rachelle Garza-Cadena said one shelter mother faced challenges finding affordable childcare as the school year ended. "One of our shelter moms is currently escaping a toxic relationship and has two young children," Garza-Cadena said. "She has been great working through our program and working full-time and she is well on her way to signing her lease for permanent housing. But she came to us as it was getting closer to the end of the school year and said she was having a difficult time finding affordable childcare."

Garza-Cadena said the program's activities include "art classes, library activities, movies, swimming and fun physical activity at the Westside Community Center." She added, "We also work with partners and churches to try to get scholarships to provide these children a chance to go to Vacation Bible Schools or things like that." The organization partners with local food banks and school districts to offer free lunches to participants.

In a podcast interview, Garza-Cadena said the goal is to eventually open the program to families across Comal County and Guadalupe County, with hopes to expand by summer 2027. Work is underway to establish eligibility criteria for this expansion.