How Kroc Centers went from Vision to Reality
Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, said that she took a tour of San Diego and it was then that she recognized a community that was in desperate need of a safe gathering place, a place with facilities and trained professionals to nurture children’s social skills, arts appreciation and athletic potential. She described The Kroc Center as being a beacon of light and hope in the community.
Mrs. Kroc entrusted The Salvation Army with $90 million to build the first Kroc Center in the Rolando neighborhood of San Diego. Sadly, she passed away a little more than a year after it opened. She was so pleased with what was accomplished there that she left $1.5 billion to The Salvation Army to build centers like it across the country. Today, there are 26 Kroc Centers nationwide, including the one in Omaha.
About The Omaha Kroc Center
Located on 15.42 acres, the 140,000 square-foot Salvation Army Kroc Center is the largest community center of its kind in Omaha. You’ll like the feeling you get here–it’s not rushed, it’s like finding a sanctuary, a retreat away from home, a safe haven created just for you. It’s a place where you are known by name. You chat with your neighbors, know each employee, and you discover they share your affection for this singular place. A place to gather and connect. A place to discover. A place that nurtures and inspires. A place that captures the imagination. And that’s just the beginning.
The Salvation Army Mission
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
About The Omaha Kroc Center
Inspire people to discover their God given talents and develop their potential through artistic, educational, physical, and spiritual experiences in a Christ-centered atmosphere.