FREDERICKSBURG, TX – August 8th, 2025 – The Texas Wine Auction Foundation (TWAF) is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous $150,000 grant from Create Healthy, the Hill Country-based foundation supporting nonprofits working to advance health and wellness in our community. This significant contribution will enable TWAF to further its mission of supporting the mental health needs of the hospitality community in Gillespie and surrounding counties.
The grant allows TWAF to expand its successful pilot program which is innovative in that it provides funding for LPCA interns who are required to complete 3000 hours of supervised counseling to receive their license as a professional counselor. During the pilot, nearly 100 individuals within the hospitality sector received access to low cost or free counseling services. The foundation, in partnership with Frontera Healthcare Network who manages the counseling and educational program, will hire two LPCA interns to provide additional capacity to support not only hospitality workers but also their families, providing crucial mental health support and resources to a broader segment of the community.
Addressing a Critical Need
Mental health professionals are in high demand across Gillespie and neighboring counties. According to recent data collected from Mental Health America and the U.S. Census Bureau for a recent Forbes article, 29.6% of adults in Texas report unmet mental health needs. This grant from Create Healthy is a timely investment, addressing a pressing need for additional mental health resources and support in the region.
“We were fortunate to participate in a community assessment led by Create Healthy where we learned about the deficiency of mental health resources in our local community as well as throughout the state of Texas,” said Valerie Elkins, Board of Directors, Texas Wine Auction Foundation. “We put together a program to increase the availability of mental health education and counseling programs while supporting individuals working to become a licensed professional counselor. We are excited to be an active participant in providing solutions to better the mental health of those hospitality workers supporting our community as well as their families.”
Expanding Reach and Impact
The grant will substantially enhance the scope of mental health services offered through TWAF. With these funds, TWAF will be able to:
- Support hospitality workers and their families with accessible mental health resources.
- Continue providing low cost access to individual counseling and expanding our reach
through complimentary group-based support programs and frequent educational
seminars open to all. - Strengthen partnerships with local organizations like Frontera Healthcare Network to
ensure the availability of low-cost mental health services and screenings.
“Jayne Pope, RN, CEO of Create Healthy, expressed her enthusiasm for the program. Behavioral health care and support are essential for healthy living. The evidence is clear that when people are supported, they thrive in their jobs, at school, and within their families. Supporting innovations like the TWAF LPC program is just one way Create Healthy is collaborating and partnering with local organizations that care so deeply about our community to solve what we know are serious issues and be part of the solution.”
Mikki Hand, APRN, FNP-C, Executive Director of Frontera Healthcare Network, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “The pressures and demands of working in the hospitality industry can be overwhelming. This can take an immense toll on an individual’s mental health and often lead to burnout, depression and anxiety. Through Frontera’s partnership with The Texas Wine Auction, we have created Wellness Uncorked. This initiative is improving equity in access to mental health services and resources while correspondingly helping to address the shortage of licensed professional counselors. By prioritizing the well-being of hospitality workers and their families we are positively impacting their lives and strengthening our businesses and communities.”
Looking Ahead
The Texas Wine Auction Foundation remains committed to its core values of education, care, and engagement. By focusing on these principles, TWAF strives to create lasting positive impacts on both individuals and the community as a whole.
Next year’s Texas Wine Auction is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at Arch Ray Resort in
Fredericksburg, TX. This event will continue to support the foundation’s mission and raise
necessary funds to further its initiatives.
For more information about the Texas Wine Auction Foundation and to learn how you can support their mission, please visit www.texaswineauction.com.
About Texas Wine Auction Foundation
The Texas Wine Auction Foundation works in coordination with various agencies to identify the needs of the community and support a healthier hospitality industry. With a focus on education, care, and engagement, TWAF empowers individuals with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. The foundation supports the funding of programs through Texas educational institutions and collaborates with organizations like Frontera Healthcare Network to provide comprehensive health support to the community.
