The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

      The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center is a seven month old facility located on South Division in Grand Rapids. The education, recreation and cultural arts and worship facility is over 100,000 square feet and sits on 20 acres of land. Ray and Joan Kroc donated $45 million to the GR Kroc Center and donated a total of 1.3 billion to the Kroc Center fund for Kroc Centers all over the US. There are strict requirements on where the Kroc Centers are located. They must be located in communities in need of development. Joan Kroc’s vision was to create a place where all people, regardless of social status, would have access to a world-class recreational, educational and cultural arts facility. The mission statement of the Kroc Center is to provide facilities, programs and services that encourage positive, life-changing experiences for children and adults, strengthen families, and enrich the lives of seniors. The Kroc Center’s vision is to see individuals of all ages, creeds and nationalities discover their natural giftedness and potential through Education, the Arts, Sports and the development of the spirit by providing a campus of opportunity in a holistic, Christ-centered atmosphere. The GR Kroc Center has created over 120 job openings for the West Michigan area. The Kroc Center focuses on an equal environment and offers several scholarships to make sure that every social status can enjoy the Kroc Center facility. The 20 acres surronding the facility is a park made up of two soccer fields, a baseball field, basketball courts, a fishing pond, a community garden, a giant slip and slide, an outdoor theater and a playground all opened up to the community.

The Kroc Center has Kroc church on Sunday mornings on the first floor of the facility. The Kroc Church's mission is to enrich lives and celebrate community. The Kroc Center also holds Bible studies for women, teens, families and young adults throughout the week.

Program Development Kroc Officer Major Karen Johnson leads the sermon in Kroc Church on April 9. The sermon was based on anger and how anger can be used for good rather than bad. Kroc Church is bi-lingual and a multi-cultural experience.

Frank Mallo of Comstock Park finishes up his workout on March 23 using a spinning bike in the health and wellness department of the Kroc. The health and wellness department contains 48 pieces of brand new cardio equipment.

Jamil Sanchez of Grand Rapids works out in the free weights section using dumbbells on March 12. Sanchez is a member and spends most of his time lifting weights when he’s at the Kroc.

In the controlled weights section of the health and wellness department, Stephanie Nystrom uses the Triceps Press. Stephanie comes to the Kroc Center and works out with her twin sister Nathalie.

On Wednesday March 23, the women from the class program Awesome Arms warm up for their half hour workout with class instructor Frank Mallo. Awesome Arms is one of the many classes the Kroc Center offers to the West Michigan community. The Kroc Center offers health and wellness classes as well as aquatic classes in the aquatic center.

Henry Entingh starts his workout with shooting some baskets in the Kroc gym before walking on the indoor track. Entingh enjoys the nice facility and comes to the Kroc several times a week with his wife.

Eric Ries climbs the rock wall without much effort. Eric and his brother climb the rock wall at least once a week. The Kroc Center has four automatic belaying systems on the 28 foot climbing wall.

Chadwick Ries plays the Nintendo Wii in RJ’s Hangout. RJ’s Hangout has video games, table tennis, foosball and board games for kids to play.

Ken Bolden, part of the Kroc Krew daycare, tries to calm down Adriel Arenas in RJ's Clubhouse on March 23. It was Adriel’s first time being left alone in RJ's Clubhouse and he had a hard time being away from his parents, but he eventually calmed down after watching some swimmers in the Kroc Pool through the window in the clubhouse.

Year and a half old Avery Ensley gives his mom, Kayla Morgan, a hug during the open art class on April 1. The Kroc offers several classes and lessons that include photography lessons, Jazz dance classes and many others that are meant to create family time and build relationships.