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Hope Guides Us, Healing Drives Us

River City Advocacy mission and vision are centered on healing, hope and community.

River City Advocacy was founded by Don and Donna Guenther and a small group of community members. River City Advocacy currently provides services to the community with the help of dedicated volunteers and professionals who were and are committed to the betterment of our community. To them and our team, we owe a great deal of gratitude.

Our Mission

To bring healing and hope through counseling and peer support.

Our Vision

To create a compassionate and caring community that embraces mental health and well-being.

Our Core Values

Respect

We value rights and dignity for every individual, even when we disagree, and work to eliminate discrimination.

Compassion

We care deeply about your needs, and we work to alleviate suffering through acceptance, friendship and service.

Integrity

We strive to be honest and fair in all we do.

Support

We provide a refuge without judgment, creatively empowering and encouraging everyone on their journey to wellness.

Hope

We believe that recovery is real. We believe in you, and we create opportunities for you to believe in yourself.

Community

We are a family building healthy relationships and social networks that lead to independence, resilience, a greater sense of belonging and full participation in society.

Meet the River City Advocacy Staff

Meet the people who work to improve mental health in our community.

Amanda Hunt

Executive Director / CEO

Amanda joined the River City Advocacy and Counseling Center team in April 2021, after serving as Board Chair since 2018 and having joined the Board of Directors in 2016. She has a BS in Psychology and Kinesiology from the University of Houston. She has had a long career in the nonprofit arena and has worked for many years at the YMCA (Houston & San Antonio). She recently served as the San Antonio Alpha Home’s development, marketing and business director before coming to River City Advocacy. She loves living and working in New Braunfels.

director@
rivercityadvocacy.org

Racheal Frederick

Development Director
Racheal joined the River City Advocacy and Counseling Center team in April 2023. She has spent over 25 years working in the nonprofit world, working as a consultant for affordable housing development, and providing guidance and service coordination for persons with disabilities, substance abuse, mental health needs, and those who have experienced homelessness. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership.
development@
rivercityadvocacy.org

Susan Tjernagel

Peer Program Director
Susan Tjernagel is a Certified Mental Health Peer Specialist who has been working with River City Advocacy since 2011. She enjoys interacting with peers through facilitating support groups, teaching life skills classes, participating in artistic expression in our art studio and planning special activities. You’ll find Susan in the peer support area and art room in our new building on San Antonio Street.
830-515-5454

Renee White, MA, LPC

Counseling Program Director
Renee V. White is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Counseling Program Director at River City Advocacy. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology and MA in Counseling from UTSA. She has experience with CPS and the SAPD and is a United States Air Force Veteran. Her passion for serving New Braunfels with quality mental health services, regardless of insurance, has further focused our counseling program on the overall mission of River City Advocacy.

Hannah Nelson, MA, LPC

Counselor
Hannah Nelson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has been working with River City Advocacy for nine years. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Lamar University and obtained her Masters in Counseling in 2013 from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Hannah has a passion for people and has been invested in River City Advocacy’s mission of providing compassionate, affordable mental health care since she walked in the door as a graduate intern in 2013.

Nathan Hodge, LPC-A

Counselor
Nathan Hodge is a graduate from the University of Texas-San Antonio and a licensed professional counselor (add specific credentials). Nathan is interested in (Christian or spiritual), solution-focused counseling with cients seeking help with depression, grief, anxiety, and anger management. Nathan is also interested in working with military Veterans and has an interest in the connection between mental, spiritual, and physical health. (Add professional background/ military)

Christian Repp

Christian Repp, a Licensed Professional Counselor (Associate), began his journey with River City Advocacy (RCA) as a graduate intern in 2022 and joined the team full-time in 2023. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas State University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University. Christian brings a distinctive, eclectic counseling style that integrates Person-Centered, Solution-Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, tailoring his approach to each client’s unique needs. His primary goal is to build a deep understanding of his clients, working collaboratively to uncover the therapeutic strategies that resonate most with them.

With a particular commitment to breaking down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, Christian leads a Men’s Mental Health Group every Monday at noon, creating a safe space for men to share and heal. His advocacy on this critical topic has been highlighted in the Herald-Zeitung newspaper, where he shared insights into the importance of addressing and supporting men’s mental health needs.

Gretchen Goodson

Gretchen Goodson joined River City Advocacy and Counseling Center in March 2023. Gretchen has volunteered in many organizations including New Braunfels Cat Coalition and in 2014 was the Volunteer of the Year for CASA in Bexar County. Gretchen has her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Organizational Development. She has become a Peer Support Specialist along with her other skills in business and managing an office.
2022 Board of Directors

River City Advocacy Board of Directors

River City Advocacy’s Board of Directors is responsible for the long-term success of our mission and vision.

Jerry Sauceda

President
Jerry is a third generation New Braunfels local who is committed to serving his local community through service and volunteerism. He has a professional background in insurance sales and financial planning, and a local business owner. His commtiment to serving River City Advocacy and Counseling Center brings the benefits of sharing our mission, building our business connections, and helping create and sustain long-term vision and leadership for the organization.

Sarah Reeves

Treasurer
Sarah spent 30 years as a financial director for a large healthcare organization. She has lived in New Bruanfels for 42 years, and loves being involved in the community. She has served on the boards of several local non-profit organizations. She brings valuable knowledge, expertise, and resources to River City Advocacy and Counseling Center through her professional and personal connection the the community. She is a fierce advocate for supporting mental health services for those who lack financial resources.

Mario Herrera

Member
Mario is a native Texan and has more than 20 years of experience working in the insurance industry. He currently co-owns Texas Financial Advisory providing wealth management consulting services. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Texas State University-San Marcos and Master of Arts from Pennsylvania State University in Psychology of Leadership. Mario has a passion for service leadership and is committed to enhancing community awareness to our mission, help develop critical funding sources, and being part of the solution to accessing quality mental health care for all.

Lindsay Semper

Member
Linday’s professional career started with youth education, where she was a youth counselor and teacher. She is also a local real estate agent. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Texas- San Anonio and a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Texas State University- San Marcos. Lindsay has always had a passion for cousneling and helping others, and joing the Board of Directors has given her a way to stay connected to the counseling profession, while helping build and deliver on the strategic plans of River City Advocacy and Counseling Center.

Karen Borell

Member
Karen has a long-standing career in PR and marketing. She owns KMB Creative Group and has a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Marketing, and a minor in Psychology from the University of Straton, PA. She has lived in New Braunfels, Texas for the past 20 years, and has two adult chidlren. She is committed to expanding awareness and advocating for mental health, and reducing the stigma associated with seeking care for mental health ailments.

Don and Donna Guenther

Founder
Donna and her husband Don founded River City Advocacy and Counseling Center in 2001. She and her husband are pioneers in the community for bringing people together with peer support, who were struggling with their mental health. Since then she has been a leader as both staff and board to ensure the growth and financial stability of the organization to where it is today. Don Passed away on March 4th 2024, and Donna remains an active board member.

River City Advocacy Supporters

The work River City Advocacy does would not be possible without the generous financial support of our supporters.

Community Partners

Financials & Transparency