He's Making Space For The Future Of Rundberg. Here's How.

Nate Koehler has perhaps just one regret since he started working as a recreation program specialist at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center: not buying a life-size cutout of Danny DeVito for the classroom. Someone might ask why a Rundberg teen center would need a cardboard cutout of an actor from New Jersey. Koehler has an answer for that.

“I just think Danny DeVito is cool. I had some kids that thought the same thing, so we were like, we're going to put Danny DeVito in our room,” Koehler says. “I didn't, but to this day, I wish I would have.”

Koehler says he never stopped being a kid, and in his line of work, that’s crucial. Koehler heads up many of the afterschool programs for children and teens in the area. But he’s doing more than just providing a fun atmosphere. He’s also imparting life skills like cooking and financial literacy so Rundberg youths can be better prepared for tomorrow.

“You find ways to just slip the lesson in with the fun,” Koehler says.

Nate Koehler (center) goes over kitchen safety with teens at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center. Koehler aims to create programs that are fun and also beneficial to the kids who attend.

The Gus Garcia Recreation Center, located in Rundberg, was named after Austin’s first Hispanic mayor. It opened on April 26, 2008, to serve the community by offering a variety of programs for youth, teens, adults, and seniors, fostering engagement and development. To this day, it remains the beating heart of the surrounding community.

Koehler joined the Gus Garcia Recreation Center more than four years ago. His mother and grandmother lived just two blocks down the street from the center’s location, making his role at the rec center deeply personal.

“It feels cyclical, like I’m returning to a place that was really impactful and significant to my family,” Koehler says. “Before my grandmother moved out of the neighborhood, there was a sign in this lot of land, advertising for a future rec center. My grandmother thought it was funny that her grandson now works there.”

As a recreation program specialist, Koehler has embraced a variety of roles, such as organizing youth sports leagues and after-school programs for 40 to 60 kids a day, including STEM Club, Lego Club, Chess Club, and even teaching teenagers how to cook.

“A lot of these kids have parents who work a lot or they have younger siblings,” Koehler said. “And it's possible that they're at home by themselves the same way I was when growing up.”

A mural on the rec center depicts Gus Garcia, the former Austin mayor that the center was named after. The rec center is a community focal point for Rundberg.

Koehler’s desire to support the Gus Garcia Recreation Center’s youth and teens stems from the fact that after-school programs helped him graduate high school, setting him on the path to where he is today. He sees a lot of himself in the teens, relating to their needs and challenges.

Koehler’s programs often harbor what he calls “deeper lessons.” This was illustrated when he referred to his cooking class, describing how the kids think they’re just cooking, having fun, and eating.

“But the goal for me with this program is that the kids have kitchen confidence,” Koehler explained. “You can use this as a tool to take care of yourself and your family later.” Koehler’s motivation comes from his desire for everyone to be all right. With this mindset, his work has become a critical support system for Dobie Middle School students, many of whom visit the rec center.

“The kids that come in here are all trying to make sense of their world,” Koehler said. “There are some tough kids out here. There are some kids that need a little bit of extra patience or a couple of extra chances. You see everything. You see great talent and intelligence and you see wisdom beyond their years.”

Koehler believes it’s never too late for anyone to turn their life around.

Dobie Middle School is currently facing possible closure due to years of poor academic performance and failed accountability ratings. It has put the Austin Independent School District in the crosshairs for possible state takeover. To combat this, AISD is considering the following options: partnering with a charter school, permanently closing Dobie and relocating the students, or temporarily closing Dobie to reimagine its future.

The potential closure of the school has sparked concerns among parents, staff, and students about the impact on the community and the possibility of overcrowding at Lamar Middle School, where Dobie students might be relocated. Dobie is known for its strong fine arts program, which many fear could be lost in the transition. Community meetings and discussions are ongoing, with the AISD board of trustees set to vote on the matter in late June.

To this end, Koehler’s efforts to help Dobie Middle School students cope with challenges are further complemented by inspiring art class award ceremonies downtown, which highlight the potential of these initiatives to broaden young minds.

Koehler helps a young girl apply a band-aid to a scrape. "I see every one of these kids that comes in here like that could be my mom. That could be my uncle or my cousin or my grandma. And I know I just want to take care of them."

“We do an art class here, and it runs throughout the school year,” Koehler said. “At the midpoint and at the end point, we do an awards ceremony. One is at the Mexico Art Museum; the other is at the Daugherty Arts Center.”

Through these experiences, the students explore not only art but the larger world around them. “They see that there is other stuff out there to see and do,” Koehler said. “I hope when they grow up and look back, they don’t only see the hardship, but they also see moments of joy. I want them to be proud of where they’re from.”