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“We can help bring our city together by declaring our love to all of its children and showing them the faith we have in their future.”

—Joan Kroc, 1998

The Kroc Centers started with one woman’s dream:

Meet Joan Kroc, Philanthropist & Kroc Center Benefactor

Joan Kroc’s Story

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 here that she left $1.5 billion to The Salvation Army to build centers like this across the country. Today, there are 26 Kroc Centers nationwide.

About Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center Atlanta is a 53,500 square-foot worship, arts, education, and recreation facility located in the Pittsburgh community of Atlanta, Ga. The center serves as a beacon of hope and a place of refuge for the spiritually, creatively, and physically hungry members.

Mission of The Salvation Army

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.

Vision of The Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center Atlanta

Motivated by God’s love, The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center – Atlanta expresses the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army by providing opportunities that facilitate positive life-transformation through worship, arts, recreation, education, and service.