The Salvation Army of Greater Dayton
The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
A Catalyst For Change. For more than 115 years, the Salvation Army of Greater Dayton has worked to transform people's lives in the Miami Valley. Inspired by the gospel of Christ and motivated by the love of God, Salvation Army staff and volunteers provide basic necessities such as food and shelter. But that's not all. The organization provides education, counseling, social services, and a variety of character-building programs.
In 2006, the Dayton Salvation Army was awarded a $69 million grant from the estate of Joan Kroc, the widow of Ray Kroc, who founded the McDonald's restaurant chain. The grant was designated for the construction and operation of a new community center on a 17.5-acre campus at the corner of Webster and Keowee Streets in the McCook Field/Old North Dayton neighborhood. The community center will allow the Salvation Army to expand its services in order to reach more individuals and families in need. It will also help to revitalize a historic neighborhood with exceptional levels of poverty (47% of households), single parents (80% of households), and young people (35% under age 17).
The project will include both renovation of the historic Katherine Kennedy Brown home and construction of an additional 107,000 square-foot facility. The new facility will include centers for early childhood education, youth education, and family literacy; a family-friendly computer cafe; transitional housing; social service and counseling offices; recreation areas; community meeting rooms; a movie theater and lecture hall; a dance studio; a piano lab; and a worship center. When the center opens in 2009, it is expected to serve 2000 area families immediately and impact 4000 or more families within three years.
A 2007 Mathile Community Award supplemented the Kroc grant with vital funding to support the creation of the new community center.
To learn more about The Salvation Army of Greater Dayton and the planned Kroc Community Center, go to: www.use.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use_daytonkroc.nsf Or call, (937) 222-1435.
