Purple Heart Project

From a Simple Dinner to a Mission of Honor: Meet Boerne’s Purple Heart Project

Boerne Love Nonprofit Spotlight | Veterans Day 2026

What started as a simple act of gratitude in a Boerne restaurant has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to honoring some of our nation's bravest heroes.

Right here in Boerne, The Purple Heart Project of Texas is making sure the sacrifices of combat-wounded veterans are never forgotten.

Founded by local veteran and chef Mark Sierra and his wife, Dalia, the organization has grown from a heartfelt gathering into a community-driven mission supporting Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star families, and veterans throughout Texas.

It All Started With a Dinner

In 2020, Mark and Dalia Sierra wanted to do something meaningful for the men and women who had sacrificed so much for our country.

At their restaurant, Compadres Hill Country Cocina, they organized a special steak dinner to honor Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families.

What began around the dinner table soon became something much bigger.

That gathering inspired the creation of The Purple Heart Project, a nonprofit built on the belief that honoring veterans should extend far beyond a single holiday or ceremony.

Today, the organization brings veterans, military families, and community members together through meaningful events, recognition programs, and ongoing support.

What Is the Purple Heart?

The Purple Heart is one of America's most recognized military decorations. It is awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action.

Behind every medal is a person, a family, and a story of sacrifice.

The Purple Heart Project works to ensure those stories are remembered and those families continue to feel the gratitude of the communities they served.

How the Purple Heart Project Makes a Difference

The organization's work extends beyond ceremonies and public recognition.

💜 Honoring Purple Heart Recipients

Through special gatherings, recognition events, and an annual gala, the organization celebrates the courage and sacrifices of combat-wounded veterans.

🇺🇸 Supporting Gold Star Families

The nonprofit recognizes families who have lost loved ones in military service, creating opportunities for remembrance, connection, and community support.

🎓 Investing in Military Families

The organization supports scholarship opportunities for children and dependents of Purple Heart recipients.

🤝 Building Community

Through veterans' gatherings, visits, special events, and community partnerships, the Purple Heart Project helps foster fellowship and connection.

🕊️ Preserving Their Legacy

The nonprofit also helps create lasting tributes to military service, ensuring future generations understand the cost of freedom.

A Lasting Tribute in the Heart of Boerne

One of the organization's most visible contributions can be found at Boerne's Veterans Plaza.

In June 2025, a Purple Heart monument was installed through a community effort led by the Purple Heart Project and the Veterans Owned Small Business Organization, funded through private donations.

In September 2026, the organization also held a dedication ceremony for a Gold Star Families Monument at Veterans Plaza.

These memorials provide places for families, veterans, and visitors to reflect on the sacrifices made in service to our country.

They also remind us that honoring veterans is something we can do all year long.

From Boerne to National Recognition

The Purple Heart Project's mission has reached beyond the Hill Country.

In 2026, Mark Sierra and the organization received national attention through NBC's TODAY show, sharing the story behind their work honoring veterans and Gold Star families.

Dalia Sierra and the nonprofit were also featured by Telemundo Dallas, bringing additional attention to their advocacy for military families.

What began in a local restaurant has become a story of gratitude with an impact far beyond Boerne.

How Our Community Can Help

You don't have to be a veteran to make a difference.

Community members can support The Purple Heart Project by:

• Donating to support its mission and programs.

• Volunteering at events and community gatherings.

• Participating in fundraisers and recognition ceremonies.

• Supporting local businesses and organizations that partner with the nonprofit.

• Sharing its mission and helping ensure veterans and their families know they are appreciated.

A Mission Worth Supporting

At Boerne Love, we believe loving where you live means caring for the people who make our community special.

The Purple Heart Project is a beautiful example of what can happen when gratitude becomes action.

Through the dedication of Mark and Dalia Sierra, the generosity of supporters, and the willingness of our community to come together, veterans and their families are being reminded that their sacrifices matter.

This Veterans Day, we encourage our neighbors to learn more about this local nonprofit and consider how they can help carry its mission forward.

Because honoring those who served shouldn't happen only one day a year.

Connect With The Purple Heart Project

📍 209 Lohmann Street, Boerne, TX 78006

🌐 Website: https://purpleheartpro.org/

💜 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purpleheartproject2020/

🤝 Learn how to support: https://purpleheartpro.org/

Love Where You Live. 💗

Boerne Love | Celebrating the people, places, and organizations making a difference in our community.

Hill Country Daily Bread

A Community That Shows Up: How Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries Is Loving Our Neighbors

Right here in Boerne, a local ministry is helping families find hope, meet everyday needs, and experience what it means to have a community that cares.

One of the things we love most about living in Boerne is the way our community shows up for one another. Whether it's providing a meal, lending a helping hand during a difficult season, or simply reminding someone they're not alone, these small acts of love can make a lasting difference.

That's exactly what Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries has been doing since 2000.

Based right here in Boerne, this Christ-centered nonprofit is dedicated to helping families overcome poverty through practical resources, meaningful relationships, and the love of Jesus.

And with the holiday season approaching, there are so many opportunities for our community to be part of that mission.

More Than Food: Building Relationships That Change Lives

While the name might make you think of a food pantry, Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries does so much more!

Through partnerships with local churches, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers, the ministry provides families with food, clothing, diapers, household necessities, mentoring, and spiritual encouragement.

Their approach goes beyond meeting an immediate need. They believe that lasting change happens through relationships, when families have people walking alongside them, encouraging them, and helping them move toward a more stable future.

Their programs include:

• Family Mentoring: Connecting families with church partners who provide practical resources, encouragement, and ongoing relationships.

• Stand By Me Student Mentoring: Supporting at-risk K–12 students through mentoring and year-round programming.

• Community Resource Partnerships: Equipping churches and nonprofits with essential supplies to serve neighbors throughout the Hill Country.

• Wrap-Around Programs: Providing seasonal gifts, celebrations, clothing, and resources that help families experience joy throughout the year.

It's a beautiful reminder that helping our neighbors isn't always about one big moment. Sometimes it's about consistently showing up.

The Impact Is Bigger Than You Might Realize

Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries' reported 2025 impact is incredible!

• 1,300+ families served

• 1,500+ children served

• 4,688 volunteers in service

• $7 million in products distributed

• 140 churches, nonprofits, and agencies supported

Behind every number is a family, a child, or a neighbor whose life has been touched by the generosity of others.

And it all starts with people willing to give their time, resources, and hearts.

Showing Up When Disaster Strikes

Following the devastating flooding across the Texas Hill Country, Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries has also been helping families navigate the difficult road to recovery.

Their disaster relief efforts include groceries, clothing, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, diapers, and connections to additional resources.

They also help connect families with referrals for home cleanup and muck-out assistance.

For families facing the overwhelming process of rebuilding, having a local organization ready to walk alongside them can mean so much.

It's another example of what makes our community special: when life gets hard, neighbors step in to help.

Bringing Hope to Families This Holiday Season

As we head into November, Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries is preparing for several of its seasonal programs that bring joy and practical support to families.

Thanksgiving Family Dinner Project

Through the generosity of local churches, businesses, schools, and individuals, families in the ministry's programs receive the ingredients needed to prepare a Thanksgiving meal at home.

Operation Warm

The ministry helps provide properly fitting winter coats to children, as well as eligible elderly and disabled neighbors in need.

Christmas Toys for Kids

Community members can help provide Christmas gifts for children whose families may not otherwise have the resources to purchase presents. Gifts are distributed to parents, allowing them to share that special moment with their children.

These programs are about more than food, coats, or toys.

They're about making sure families feel remembered, valued, and loved.

How Can You Get Involved?

One of the best things about Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries is that there are opportunities for just about everyone to help!

Volunteer your time. Individuals, families, churches, businesses, and community groups can serve by sorting donations, packing groceries, organizing clothing, assisting with distributions, and supporting special events.

Host a donation drive. Gather your neighborhood, church group, coworkers, or friends to collect food, hygiene products, clothing, or other needed supplies.

Support a holiday program. Help provide Thanksgiving meals, winter coats, or Christmas gifts to families in need.

Give financially. Monetary donations help the ministry continue providing resources and supporting families throughout the Hill Country.

Even something as simple as inviting your children to help collect donations can be a meaningful way to teach them about generosity and loving their neighbors.

Love Where You Live. Love the People Who Live Here.

At Boerne Love, we believe loving where you live means more than enjoying the beautiful places, local businesses, and fun events that make our town special.

It also means loving the people who call this place home.

Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries is such a wonderful example of faith being put into action through generosity, compassion, and community.

As we enter this season of gratitude, maybe we can each ask ourselves one simple question:

How can I show up for someone in my community this season?

Whether it's donating a coat, packing a Thanksgiving meal, volunteering with your family, or supporting a neighbor going through a hard time, every act of kindness matters.

And together, we can continue making Boerne a place where people feel loved.

Love where you live. Love your neighbors. 🤎

Learn More About Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries

📍 Location: 38 Cascade Caverns Rd, Boerne, TX 78015

🕘 Public Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–3 PM

📞 Phone: (830) 755-5200

🌐 Website: https://www.hillcountrydailybread.org

🤎 Volunteer: https://www.hillcountrydailybread.org/volunteer

🎁 Seasonal Giving Opportunities: https://www.hillcountrydailybread.org/wrap-around-programs

❤️ Donate: https://www.hillcountrydailybread.org/donate

Contact the ministry for current donation needs and volunteer availability before visiting.

Blessings in a Backpack

More Than 500 Boerne Students Receive Weekend Meals Thanks to Local Volunteers 💛

Did you know that approximately 1 in 5 students in Boerne ISD qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals?

Behind the beautiful neighborhoods, thriving businesses, and growing community we love, there are families facing challenges that aren't always visible.

One local nonprofit is working to make sure children don't go hungry when the school week ends.

Meet Blessings in a Backpack

Fourteen years ago, Kathy Bandujo started the Boerne chapter of Blessings in a Backpack with a mission to help feed local children.

What began at a single school has grown into a program serving more than 500 students across all 14 Boerne ISD campuses.

Every Thursday, volunteers gather to pack bags filled with enough breakfast, lunch, and snacks to help students get through the weekend.

In less than two hours, as many as 40 volunteers can prepare and deliver hundreds of food bags to local campuses.

The bags are distributed discreetly, protecting the privacy and dignity of the children and families receiving them.

The Need Is Closer Than You Think

Boerne is often viewed as an affluent community, but food insecurity doesn't always look the way we expect.

For some children, school meals provide an important source of reliable nutrition. When Friday afternoon arrives, access to consistent meals can become more difficult.

Blessings in a Backpack helps bridge that gap.

The volunteers also prepare additional food for longer school breaks, including holidays when students may be away from school for several days.

Every Donation Makes a Difference

One particularly meaningful part of the Boerne program is its commitment to putting donated funds directly toward feeding children.

According to local organizers, 100% of donations collected for the Boerne effort go toward purchasing food.

Program leaders personally cover administrative expenses, including printing and supplies.

With grocery prices continuing to rise, community support is especially important.

How You Can Help

Residents interested in supporting Blessings in a Backpack can:

• Make a donation designated for the Boerne program.

• Connect with local organizers about volunteer opportunities.

• Help spread awareness of childhood hunger in our community.

• Encourage local businesses, churches, and community groups to get involved.

To learn more, visit blessingsinabackpack.org and look for the Boerne program.

Love Where You Live Means Loving Your Neighbors

There's so much to celebrate about Boerne, but some of the most meaningful stories are the quiet ones.

The volunteers who show up every Thursday. The groceries packed with care. The children who head home on Friday knowing they'll have something to eat over the weekend.

We may never know every family facing hardship in our community, but we can all play a part in making sure our neighbors feel supported.

Thank you to Kathy Bandujo, Audra Duran, and the many volunteers making a difference through Blessings in a Backpack.

This is what loving where you live looks like. 💛

Love where you live. — Boerne Love

Reporting credit: Information and program statistics sourced from Patty Santos' October 15, 2026 report for KSAT 12.

Transformation House in Boerne: Helping Women and Children Find Hope, Healing, and a Fresh Start

Discover how this local nonprofit is changing lives and how you can support its mission through shopping, community events, Mahjong, and more.

Sometimes loving where we live means showing up for the people who need our community most.

Right here in Boerne, there's a nonprofit helping women and children rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic violence. And while much of its work happens quietly, the impact on local families is anything but small.

Transformation House is a Boerne-based organization dedicated to helping women and children find safety, healing, stability, and a path toward independence.

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it's a meaningful time to shine a light on their work and share some of the ways our community can get involved.

And the best part? There are opportunities to support this mission throughout the year, whether you enjoy thrift shopping, running, playing Mahjong, or simply giving back.

A Safe Place to Begin Again

Founded in 2018, Transformation House provides transitional housing and supportive services for women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

But their mission goes far beyond offering a safe place to stay.

Rebuilding a life after abuse takes time. Families may need counseling, financial stability, emotional support, and a community of people who believe in their future.

Transformation House offers a comprehensive approach that includes:

• Safe transitional housing: Families in the residential program can receive housing for up to two years.

• Counseling and therapy: Trauma-informed care helps women and children process their experiences and begin healing.

• Children's services: Licensed play therapy and other resources support children as they navigate major life changes.

• Case management: Individualized support helps families set goals and work toward independent living.

• Life skills and education: Practical resources help women build confidence and create a stable future.

These services are provided at no cost to participating families.

According to Transformation House, 94% of residential participants exit into stable, independent housing.

That represents women and children moving toward a future filled with new possibilities.

🛍️ Shop for a Cause at Haute Second

If you love discovering a good secondhand treasure, here's a local shopping spot worth knowing about!

Haute Second is Transformation House's boutique resale pop-up, featuring a curated collection of designer, boutique, and name-brand clothing, accessories, and home décor.

It's a fun way to shop locally while supporting a mission that matters.

Every purchase helps Transformation House continue providing housing and support for women and children rebuilding their lives.

Location: 916 E. Blanco Road, Suite 600, Boerne, TX 78006

Shopping Hours:

• Second Thursday of each month: 4:30–8 PM

• Last Saturday of each month: 8:30–11:30 AM

Haute Second also accepts donations of new or gently used women's clothing, children's clothing, and household items by appointment.

Donated necessities are shared with the families served by Transformation House, and boutique purchases help fund the organization's mission.

Before your next shopping trip, consider checking out Haute Second. You might find something you love while helping another family move forward.

Learn more about Haute Second: https://www.transformation-house.org/haute-second

🎄 Jingle All the Way: A Festive Run With a Purpose

Looking for a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate Christmas in Boerne while supporting a great cause?

Mark your calendar for the 7th Annual Jingle All the Way 5K, 10K & Fun Run, benefiting Transformation House!

Saturday, December 12, 2026

Location: Patrick Heath Public Amphitheater, 451 N. Main Street, Boerne

This festive community event welcomes runners, walkers, families, and children of all ages and abilities.

Participants can enjoy a scenic route along Boerne's historic Old No. 9 Trail while celebrating the Christmas season.

And festive attire is encouraged! Think Santa hats, ugly Christmas sweaters, elf costumes, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Race Day Schedule

• 7:00–7:45 AM: Packet pickup

• 8:00 AM: 10K starts

• 8:05 AM: Fun Run starts

• 8:15 AM: 5K starts

• 9:30 AM: Awards announced

Registration Pricing Through November 16

• Fun Run: $10

• 5K: $35

• 10K: $45

Prices increase closer to race day. Groups of five or more can also receive a discount, and participants who register by November 13 are guaranteed a race shirt.

Whether you're hoping to beat your personal record or simply enjoy a holiday morning outside with the kids, this is a wonderful opportunity to make Christmas a little brighter for families in our community.

Register for Jingle All the Way: https://www.athleteguild.com/event/boerne-tx/2026-jingle-all-the-way-5k10k-fun-run

🀄 Mahjong With a Mission: Tiles for Transformation

Mahjong has become a popular way to bring friends together, learn something new, and enjoy a little friendly competition.

But did you know Transformation House also uses Mahjong to bring people together for a meaningful cause?

Throughout the year, the organization hosts Mahjong gatherings and community events that combine fun and connection with opportunities to support women and children.

One of their signature fundraisers is Tiles for Transformation, a Mahjong tournament that brings players together to raise support for Transformation House.

The September 27, 2026 tournament featured multiple rounds of Mahjong, refreshments, raffle prizes, and awards.

While this year's tournament has already taken place, there are more opportunities to look forward to!

Transformation House also hosts community Mahjong nights, including gatherings that welcome both seasoned players and complete beginners.

Some events have even helped collect school supplies and other necessities for children living at Transformation House.

Keep an eye out for future Mahjong nights and the next Tiles for Transformation tournament!

Whether you're an experienced player or have been wanting to learn, it's a fun way to connect with neighbors while supporting a wonderful local mission.

Find event announcements at https://www.transformation-house.org.

❤️ Other Ways to Support Transformation House

You don't have to participate in a fundraiser to make a difference.

Transformation House also welcomes support from individuals, families, businesses, churches, and community organizations.

Some of their ongoing needs include:

• Toilet paper and paper towels

• Laundry detergent

• Cleaning supplies

• School supplies

• Financial donations

• Volunteers and community partners

Local businesses and organizations can also explore opportunities to sponsor events, provide services, or help women develop employment skills.

Even sharing information about Transformation House can help introduce someone to resources they didn't know were available.

Loving Where We Live Means Caring for Our Neighbors

Boerne is filled with wonderful businesses, beautiful places, and fun things to do. But what makes a community truly special is the way its people care for one another.

Transformation House reminds us that behind every new beginning is often a network of people willing to help.

A clothing purchase, a race registration, a Mahjong game, or a simple donation may seem small on its own. Together, those acts of generosity can help provide the stability and support a family needs to move forward.

This October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we hope you'll take a moment to learn more about Transformation House and consider one way you might support their mission.

Because loving where we live also means loving the people who live here. ❤️

Learn More About Transformation House

Website: https://www.transformation-house.org

Haute Second Boutique: 916 E. Blanco Road, Suite 600, Boerne

Phone: (830) 542-9166

Upcoming Event: Jingle All the Way 5K, 10K & Fun Run — December 12, 2026

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Boerne Love is dedicated to helping our community discover local businesses, organizations, events, and the people who make the Hill Country such a special place to call home.

Love where you live. ❤️

Still Water

Still Water Camps: Building Community, Transforming Lives Right Here in the Hill Country

Plus, how you can support their mission at the upcoming Hill Country Golf Tournament

Some partnerships just feel extra special.

We’re excited to highlight Still Water Camps, a Christ-centered camp ministry with deep roots right here in Boerne and a mission focused on building community, transforming lives and sharing the love of Jesus with kids and families.

What Is Still Water Camps?

Still Water Camps is a Christian youth camp ministry that uses sports, adventure, leadership and discipleship to create a place where kids can have fun, build meaningful relationships and grow in their faith.

The ministry was founded by Matt Moehrig, also known as “Coach Mo,” after his time working in public schools showed him just how challenging the middle-school years could be. He envisioned a camp where kids from all different backgrounds could experience sports and adventure while also experiencing the love of Christ.

Still Water officially became a nonprofit in 2001 and held its first camp—a boys football camp in Medina—in 2002.

Today, the ministry offers overnight camps, day camps known as Champ Camps, family camps and year-round opportunities for discipleship and community. Its state office is located right here in Boerne at 1015 N. School Street.

Making Camp Possible for More Kids

One of the things we especially love about Still Water is its commitment to making camp accessible to kids regardless of their family's financial circumstances.

Approximately 50% of Still Water campers receive scholarships through internal and external scholarship support.

That means kids from many different backgrounds get to come together, experience new adventures, build friendships and participate in a Christ-centered camp experience without finances necessarily standing in the way.

And Still Water isn't just serving families somewhere else in Texas. Their Hill Country programming includes multiple Boerne Champ Camps, along with camps and programs throughout the region.

Meet Jamison & Darah Coy

The story of how Jamison and Darah Coy became part of Still Water is one of our favorite parts of this ministry.

Their journey began in 2024 when they were invited to attend a Still Water vision dinner.

Their family was walking through a difficult season after a period of unemployment, and they almost didn't attend. But they decided to go—and that evening ended up changing the direction of their family.

Darah had been praying about missions when she felt strongly called to get involved with Still Water. The following summer, she stepped out in faith and served at all seven overnight camps, with their children alongside her.

Jamison joined them on weekends, supporting Darah and serving wherever he was needed.

What started with one invitation and one “yes” became something much bigger for their entire family.

Darah continued serving with Still Water and is now the organization's Hill Country Field Representative. She has also served as a Champ Camp director and leads a NUEYO group for young girls, investing in them through discipleship and community.

Jamison's involvement eventually led him somewhere he hadn't originally expected: full-time ministry.

He now serves as Still Water's Hill Country Area Director, helping lead the ministry's work here in our area. Still Water's current staff listing confirms Darah and Jamison both serve on the organization's year-round team.

For us at Boerne Love, this is where the partnership becomes more than simply highlighting another local organization.

Having known Darah through MOMCo, I'm genuinely so happy to see where God has led their family and to have the opportunity for Boerne Love to come alongside them and help share what Still Water is doing.

Their story is such a beautiful example of how one “yes” can grow into something you never expected.

Hit the Course for a Cause: Still Water's Hill Country Golf Tournament

And there's a great opportunity coming up for our community to support their work.

⛳ Still Water Camps Annual Hill Country Golf Tournament

Monday, October 19, 2026

📍 The Buckhorn Golf Course
36 Ranch to Market Road 473
Comfort, TX 78013

The tournament brings together golfers, businesses and community members for a day of golf and fellowship while raising money to support Still Water's mission.

Most importantly, proceeds help provide camper scholarships and expand Still Water's outreach throughout the Hill Country, giving more kids and families the opportunity to experience camp.

You Don't Have to Be a Golfer to Help

There are several ways our Boerne community can get behind the tournament.

You can register a team, become a business sponsor, participate as a golfer or simply help spread the word.

Still Water offers multiple sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, so this is also a meaningful way for businesses to invest back into local kids and families while supporting an organization doing hands-on work in our community.

Still Water describes its fundraising events as more than fundraisers, too. They're opportunities to build relationships with local organizations, introduce new families and supporters to the ministry and create partnerships that can continue beyond a single event.

Why We're Excited to Partner With Still Water

At Boerne Love, our heart has always been about more than simply telling you what's happening this weekend or where a new business is opening.

We want to help people love where they live.

And part of loving where you live is knowing the people and organizations quietly pouring into the community around you.

Still Water Camps is doing that through camp, mentorship, discipleship, scholarships and relationships with kids and families—and we're especially excited to support Jamison, Darah and the Still Water team as they continue growing their impact here in the Hill Country.

So whether you're ready to put together a foursome, your business is looking for a meaningful organization to support, or you're simply learning about Still Water for the first time, we'd encourage you to check them out.

Ready to Get Involved?

⛳ Register for the Still Water Camps Annual Hill Country Golf Tournament or become a sponsor:
Golf Tournament Registration

❤️ Learn more about Still Water Camps:
stillwatercamps.org

We'll see you on the course!

Boerne Love | Love Where You Live

nextTalk

A Resource Every Local Parent Should Know: nextTalk

As parents, we do so much to protect our kids.

We set screen-time limits. We research parental controls. We delay phones and social media. We monitor apps, set boundaries and try our best to put guardrails around what our children can access.

Those things matter.

But one of the biggest things I’ve learned as a mom is that we can't control everything our kids will eventually be exposed to.

A friend may show them something. They may hear a word on the playground. An inappropriate video may pop up. They may encounter something online at someone else's house. And sometimes, despite every safeguard we've put in place, something gets through.

That's why I have found the message and resources from nextTalk so helpful.

The Goal Isn't Just Protection—It's Conversation

nextTalk is a San Antonio-based nonprofit helping families navigate parenting in an increasingly digital and overexposed world.

Their philosophy is something that has really stuck with me:

“You can delay the phone, but you cannot delay the conversations.”

Rules and restrictions are important, but nextTalk emphasizes that our relationship with our children matters, too. Their resources help parents think beyond simply blocking inappropriate content and start building open communication before difficult situations arise.

That has changed the way I think about protecting my own kids.

Of course I want guardrails. Of course I want to protect their innocence for as long as I reasonably can. But I also want to prepare for the moment when a guardrail doesn't work—or when exposure happens somewhere I can't control.

Because then the question becomes:

Will my child feel comfortable coming to me?

What Happens After They See Something?

This is where nextTalk has been especially helpful to me.

Instead of assuming we can prevent our children from ever encountering difficult things, Mandy Majors and the nextTalk team help parents learn how to create an ongoing culture of communication.

One of their recurring ideas is becoming a safe place for your kids—the person they know they can come to when something awkward, scary or inappropriate happens.

That means how we react to the little conversations today matters.

If our child tells us something shocking and our first reaction is panic, anger or shame, will they tell us the next time?

That's a question I've really taken to heart.

I want my kids to know that when they see something confusing, hear something inappropriate, make a mistake or encounter something they're not sure how to process, Mom and Dad are where they can come first.

We can talk about it.

We can help them understand it.

We can point them toward truth.

And we can walk through it together.

So Many FREE Resources for Parents

One of the best things about nextTalk is how much information they make available to families for free.

🎧 The nextTalk Podcast

Mandy hosts conversations about parenting, technology, culture and faith, with a huge library of episodes parents can search based on whatever they're currently navigating.

Listen here:
https://nexttalk.org/podcast/

Topics include:

• 📱 When and how to introduce a phone

• 📃 Phone contracts and boundaries

• 💬 Social media

• 🎮 Online gaming

• ⏰ Screen time and reducing screen dependence

• ❤️ Building trust with your children

• 🗣️ Getting kids to keep talking to you

• 👥 Risky friendships

• 🚫 Pornography and sexualized content

• 🧠 Mental health and changes in your child's behavior

• 📲 Online dangers and cyberstrangers

• 💔 Bullying and cyberbullying

• 🙏 Faith and parenting

• 🌎 Talking to kids about difficult things happening in our culture

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Navigating different ages and stages

A great place to start is their episode “Build a Safe Place,” which focuses on becoming the person your child trusts with their biggest questions and hardest moments:

https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/build-a-safe-place/

They also have an episode featuring Mandy's son called “Why Kids Stop Talking to Their Parents: A Son's Honest Advice.” Hearing these conversations from the child's perspective can be incredibly helpful:

https://nexttalk.org/podcast_episode/why-kids-stop-talking-to-their-parents-a-sons-honest-advice/

Free Guides for Some of the Really Hard Conversations

I especially appreciate that nextTalk doesn't shy away from the subjects we sometimes wish we didn't have to discuss.

For example, they have free printable resources specifically for parents navigating pornography exposure.

If your child was exposed to pornography and came to you about it, nextTalk has a free faith-based guide to help you think through what to do next:

https://nexttalk.org/porn-packet-my-kid-was-exposed-to-porn-and-confided-in-me-now-what/

They also have a separate free guide for the situation where you discover your child saw pornography but didn't tell you:

https://nexttalk.org/porn-packet-my-kid-saw-porn-and-didnt-tell-me-now-what/

These are conversations none of us necessarily want to have, especially when our children are young. But that's exactly why I appreciate having resources available before I'm standing in the middle of one of those moments wondering what to say.

You Can Actually Ask Them a Parenting Question

This is another resource I think local families should know about.

If you're dealing with a specific situation—maybe you're wondering how to talk to your child about sex, struggling with Instagram or another app, or simply don't know how to start a difficult conversation—you can submit a parenting question directly to nextTalk.

They also offer prayer requests and, for Texas families experiencing financial hardship, an application for reduced-fee counseling with licensed Texas counselors.

Find those resources here:

https://nexttalk.org/help/

Start Before They Have a Phone

You don't have to wait until your child has a smartphone.

You don't have to wait until they're a teenager.

And you definitely don't have to have every answer figured out.

What I've personally taken away from nextTalk is that protecting our kids isn't only about building higher walls around them.

It's also about building a stronger relationship with them.

Put the guardrails in place.

Set the boundaries.

Protect them where you can.

But also start talking.

Ask questions. Listen. Try not to panic when they tell you something uncomfortable. Let the little conversations happening today build the trust you'll need for the bigger conversations tomorrow.

Because eventually our kids are going to encounter things we wish they hadn't.

And when that happens, one of the greatest safeguards we can give them may be knowing:

“I can talk to my parents about this.”

Explore nextTalk

🌐 Website + Free Resources:
https://nexttalk.org/

🎧 Podcast:
https://nexttalk.org/podcast/

❤️ Parent Questions, Prayer + Counseling Resources:
https://nexttalk.org/help/

nextTalk is based right here in the San Antonio area, making this an especially valuable resource for families in Boerne and throughout the Hill Country.

— Saige, Boerne Love

Love where you live. Love your people well. ❤️