Kroc Center

The Salvation Army in Augusta received word March 7, 2006, that its proposal for a Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center, to be located in the Harrisburg Community of Augusta, had been approved and the funding was set aside for Augusta.

The creation of a Ray and Joan Kroc Center in Augusta was the result of a vision - a vision of a community uniting for service to its fellow man, under a Divine inspiration. This vision began, as many do, through conversation and creative problem solving. As representatives of the non-profit and service community met in one room together for the first time as the Mayor's Task Force to End Homelessness, the discussion from the 50-plus people in the room shifted from individual concerns to: "wouldn't it be wonderful if there were a One-Stop community center for Augusta?" As the discussions continued, goals were outlined and the dreams expanded. The problem, however, was everyone realized the creation of such a facility, one that would have a state of the art Performing Arts Center, an Education Center that would incorporate job skills training and a superior Recreation Center for Augusta's children, was just that: a dream.

Six months prior to that first meeting, on October 12, 2003, noted philanthropist, McDonald's heiress and long-time Salvation Army supporter Joan Kroc died. At the time, no one in Augusta knew the impact that her generous gift would have on the dreams of an entire community. Upon the announcement of the gift of funds to build Kroc Centers throughout the United States that would combine "family and youth development and recreation", these same leaders in Augusta saw their dream having the possibility of becoming a reality.

When the 2004 United Way of the Central Savannah River Area Needs Assessment Study was released, it reaffirmed the purpose of the vision. The study confirmed what everyone knew: the people of Augusta want and need Education programs and Job Skills Training, a central point for the provision of services, a Performing/Fine Arts Facility and quality after-school Recreation Facilities. The release of the study did something else; it strengthened our community in the purpose of realizing the dream and brought, what at times was a fractured community, together for the purpose of this application.

As the word of a possible Kroc Center application spread, the city of Augusta unified unlike many had ever seen. The County Commission, notoriously divided, voted unanimously in support of the project. Arts and Education groups, regularly competing for dollars and ticket sales, worked together to bring a plan to benefit the entire community. The medical, emergency and indirect service agencies who assist those in need every day have offered time, skill and valuable partnerships to bring this project together. In short, this application was brought together and submitted through the leadership of The Salvation Army, but was the result of the work and dreams of an entire community.

So: we, The Salvation Army of Augusta, on behalf of all of our partners and supporters in Augusta, invite you to share in our vision. Below you will see a brief summary of the excellent facilities our Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center will contain. We are certain you will see this as a unique and exciting vision for facilities, services and programs that will change our city forever.

Ray and Joan Kroc Center Facilities:

"One Stop" Center:

Contents: Approximately 20 non-profit service offices including full facilities for the United Way of the CSRA, St. Vincent de Paul Medical Clinic and the Medical College of Georgia.

Recreation Center:

Contents: Boy's & Girl's Club programs including a double gymnasium, athletic fields, computer lab, game rooms, teen rooms, weight training facility, craft rooms and administrative offices for the Boy's & Girl's Club staff.

Arts & Education/Worship Center

Contents: The Salvation Army chapel and administrative offices, a 600-seat performing arts center with extensive support area, two computer labs, adult education classrooms, art classrooms, music rehearsal and teaching classrooms, dance rooms, EOA Head Start classrooms and playground, a kitchen and a library.

Enterprise Park

Contents: The Salvation Army Enterprise Team Skills Training facility including: Banquet Center with teaching kitchen for job skills training, Junior Achievement?s Finance Park for youth business training, an indoor mall with a nostalgic Augusta streetscape including Enterprise Team storefronts and an outdoor café overlooking Chafee Park.

Ray and Joan Kroc Center Partner Non-Profits:

The United Way of the CSRA
Boys & Girls Club of Augusta
Greater Augusta Arts Council
Junior Achievement
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Area Agency on Aging
Augusta State University Literacy Center
Augusta Task Force for the Homeless
Augusta Urban Ministries
Behavioral Health Link
Communities in Schools of Richmond County
CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA)
EOA Head Start
Family Counseling Center
Fireside Ministries
Georgia Center for Non-Profits
Golden Harvest Food Bank
Heritage Community Services
MACH Academy
Safe Homes
Serenity Behavioral Health
US Department of Veteran's Affairs

To request more information on the Kroc Center click here.