The Green Bay community, which has supported Salvation Army ministries for 115 years, welcomes the Ray and Joan Kroc Corp Community Center (RJKCCC) as a source of recreational and educational opportunities to foster healthy lifestyles and provide creative expression through musical, visual and performing arts-all in the context of a Christian environment. The center will serve as a crossroads for people of many races, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds and will be almost 15 acres adjacent to a natural wooded wetland in the southeast corner of the city.
"We're extremely excited by the recent announcement that Green Bay has been given the go ahead. This comes as good news to the community and the people who are supporting this project," said Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Divisional Commander Major Robert E. Thomson. "We look forward to opening up a new avenue of ministry and support in Green Bay. This center will meet all aspects of need: spiritual, physical, recreational, emotional and educational."
The planting of a second corps in Green Bay at the RJKCCC will advance mission and ministry. A chapel/auditorium at the entrance to the center will be the focal point from which everything else literally and figuratively emanates. Staff and volunteers will demonstrate God?s love in practical ways and share God's plan of salvation with those eager to hear.
Dubbed a "Campus of Opportunities" by Kroc Center Administrators Majors Robert and Ruth Fay, the center will provide unique opportunities to promote spiritual maturity and self-sufficiency. The RJKCCC also will have an aquatic center, indoor ice arena, gymnasium, running track, fitness center, health clinic, outdoor soccer field, game rooms, art and music rooms and other areas to support a wide variety of programs and activities. Paths around the adjacent wooded wetland will provide year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation, education and inspiration.
Education will be central to the center's philosophy and programming. A large resource center and computer lab equipped with the latest technology will occupy a large open area off the main lobby. Homework help, tutoring, computer instruction for older adults, job searches, English-as-a-second-language classes, reading and Christian education classes will be offered. A well-equipped and staffed activity center will provide in-house supervision for children while parents attend classes, programs or activities.
Community groups assisting with programming include the Evergreen Theater Company, the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, St. Norbert College, the Bellin College of Nursing (health clinic) and the Green Bay Police Department (as part of a "neighborhood police station" community relations effort).
"These collaborations are essential to meet the needs of the community," said Major Robert Fay.
"Cooperative efforts also help ensure we don't duplicate services in the community when the doors of this new community center swing open."
For more information contact Scott Stein at:
(920) 965-7750
(920) 676-0711 (cell)