Kroc Center

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A Kroc Center (formally known as a Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center) is one of many community centers run by the Salvation Army. The mission Statement of the Kroc Centers is:

In keeping with the mission of The Salvation Army, The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center provides facilities, programs and services that encourage positive life-changing experiences for children and adults, strengthen families, and enrich the lives of seniors.

[edit] Kroc Center background

Upon her death in 2003, Joan Kroc, the widow of McDonald’s restaurants founder Ray Kroc, bequeathed $1.5 billion to The Salvation Army solely for the purpose of establishing centers of opportunity, education, recreation and inspiration throughout the United States to be known as "The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center".

According to the trust, a Kroc Center is to be highly visible and easily accessible, to be within reach of various economic groups with particular outreach to underserved families, to provide high quality service within world-class facilities, and to include programs involving education, fitness, arts and worship. These centers are to be owned and operated by The Salvation Army.

The first Salvation Army Kroc Center is located in the Rolando area of San Diego, California at 6845 University Avenue. The location was selected for its accessibility to families and seniors. The late philanthropist Joan Kroc donated $87 million to The Salvation Army in 1998. Forty-seven million dollars was designated to build and equip the facility and $40 million was placed into an endowment to subsidize the Center's operating budget.

Over 350 volunteers met for four years to plan the Center's facilities and programs. The Salvation Army Kroc Center opened to the public on June 19, 2002. Special guests for the dedication included Mrs. Joan Kroc, Fred Rogers (star of the television show Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood), local mayors, and key leadership of The Salvation Army.

The facility is open to members and the general public and serves residents of East San Diego, La Mesa and Lemon Grove with a variety of quality programs for individuals of all ages. It is also the home court of the San Diego Wildcats of the American Basketball Association.

[edit] Other Kroc Centers

The Atlanta Kroc Center in South Atlanta will be open for Worship and Recreation in early July 2008.

Additional Kroc Centers are being established for the benefit of communities. The following cities, listed geographically by Salvation Army territories, have plans to build a Kroc center.

Southern Territory: Atlanta, Georgia; Augusta, Georgia; www.hongkongaugustaga.org Biloxi, Mississippi; Charlotte, North Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina; Kerrville, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; Morgantown, West Virginia; Tidewater, Virginia

Western Territory: Coeur D’Alene, Idaho; Honolulu, Hawaii; Long Beach, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Salem, Oregon; San Francisco, California

Eastern Territory: Camden, New Jersey; Massena, New York; Staten Island, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Dayton, Ohio

Central Territory: Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Quincy, Illinois; St. Joseph County, Indiana

The Kroc Center in San Francisco, California broke ground in June of 2006 and is expected to open in July of 2008. The San Francisco Kroc Center received $53 million. Memphis, Tennessee is preparing for a Kroc Center to be established on the Memphis Fairgrounds.

The Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center for Worship and Education : South Atlanta

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center South Atlanta : A Center for Worship and Education is the next center after San Diego. It is being constructed next to the Southern Territory's Evangeline Booth College. This center will be State-of-the-Art. It will feature a 400 seat Chapel/Auditorium. Arts Focus Rooms, a Dance studio, Computer Labs, a Library, Day Centers, Community Room with Industrial Kitchen, Family Oriented Programs, A Gymnasium with a Cafe, A well-staged Game room, Fitness Center, and Track. This Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center (RJKCCC) will service Metro Atlanta.

[edit] External Links

• San Diego Kroc Center Web Site
• Memphis Kroc Center Web Site
• Grand Rapids Kroc Center Web Site
• Salvation Army web site

• Salvation Army Mid-Willamette Valley Kroc Center - Salem, OR
• Camden, NJ Kroc Center Web Site

[edit] References

• Locations retrieved on 10/15/2006
• San Francisco Kroc center retrieved on 10/15/2006

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