New England's Largest Community Center is now Open!

The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center provides more than 100 diverse program components designed to nurture the body, mind and spirit of all who enter. With superb facilities to match, the Kroc Center is a beacon of hope and an agent of change in Boston. It provides children, youth, families and individuals with spiritual, educational, recreational and other activities that build character, confidence, capacity and hope. Because the Kroc Center is directly responsive to the assessed needs and desires of those it serves, it enriches the entire community.

Spring Programs begin on April 30!

Spring programs begin on April 30!  Sign up now for dance classes and new education offerings. 

Get ready for summer with a group exercise class in the studio or in the aquatic center.  There's something for everyone.  Find the info you need by clicking on the program guide.

Find out about Membership Now!

As Seen on Chronicle, Boston's Largest Indoor Water Park!

WCVB's award-winning news magazine show, Chronicle featured the Kroc Center's pool as one its great New England destinations for families.

See the whole story on a Boston gem with water slides, a lazy river, a floating lobster and water play features that make fun for the whole family!  And that's not all, New England's largest community center has a fitness center with world class equipment, a two-court gym, playgrounds, performance space and more. 

PLAN YOUR VISIT

WATCH THE STORY

Bruins and Celtics Championship Banners Hanging in Gymnasium

The TD Garden, in partnership with the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics, announce today that it will temporarily relocate the teams’ 23 championship banners from its rafters to The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Dorchester, MA.  The TD Garden hosts the NCAA Eastern Regional Finals on March 22 & 24, and the championship banners are removed from the rafters for the duration of the event providing this rare opportunity to bring the legendary banners into the community.

“The TD Garden is home to the most championship banners of any professional arena in the country and it’s an unprecedented act to bring them all into the community and make them accessible to Bruins and Celtics fans.” said John Wentzell, President of TD Garden. "Kicking off this campaign at The Salvation Army Kroc Center is important to us because it brings the mission of Garden Neighborhood Charities to life. We’re proud to provide support to local organizations making a positive impact in our neighborhood of Greater Boston.”

The banners will be available for the public to view them in the Kroc Center gym on Wednesday, March 21 and Thursday, March 22 from 8am-8pm.

WATCH GREAT VIDEO OF HOW IT ALL HAPPENED!

Kroc Center Coverage

The Kroc Center recently hosted the District Attorney's Basketball for Peace Tournament and it received a good bit of media attention. However, the crews were not there to cover the games. The media highlighted the message being passed along to these young players.

The Globe looked at The Salvation Army's Bridging the Gap program. The photo is courtesy Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff.

NECN talked about the great work of the Kroc Center as did Fox 25's Maria Stefanos during their 6:30 pm news.

CNN had a crew following Chris Herren. The former Celtic and recovering addict told the crowd about his rise and fall, and about rising again. He was featured as part of the network's series on addiction.

Follow us on Twitter!

300 million are on Twitter and so are we - @KrocBoston!!!

Inspiration. Information. Everything you need to know about @KrocBoston when you need to know it - NOW of course! Keep up with programs, services and special offers all in one place.

We know you're busy and need your information on the run. All the news you need on your computer, or on your laptop, or on your cell phone, or on your tablet - all on @KrocBoston Twitter. AND it all comes in 140 characters or less.

Follow us today - @KrocBoston - see what you've been missing!

Not on Twitter? Follow us on Facebook!!!

New Group Ex schedule!!!

Whether it's Zumba or Kroc Cycle, there's something here for everyone. We've added morning classes so you can get it and get out before work.  We've also added to our already popular evening lineup.  We've also added some fantastic new instructors! 

Something new for Winter 2011-2012 is that our aqua aerobics classes are on schedule and FREE for members.  Just look for classes listed in BLUE to see what we're offering for exercise in Boston's most fun, fit and friendly pool!

Life Changed - Hector beats the street

Hector has a great story to tell. It’s a story of second chances, hope and transformation. He is a graduate of Bridging the Gap, and currently an employee through the Boston Youth Fund at the Kroc Corps Community Center. Click here to watch his story.

Bridging the Gap is an innovative program for at-risk youth age 12 - 18 is designed to provide the support and skills they need to keep their lives on track. The 12-unit life skills curriculum works to stabilize the family and child through the crisis of arrest and court appearance, and then work with them to address the factors that led to the arrest.

Kroc Winter Showcase Highlighted in Globe!

The Kroc Center's Winter Arts Showcase featured more than 30 students who learned to sing and dance during our December Program Intensive. The Dance Divas class included Mahkyla Strong, Aniya Thompson and Sania Hogan (pictured left) performing a hip-hop inspired dance.

Mayra Hernandez, the arts coordinator for the Kroc Center told the Globe: “This program has allowed students who had little experience acting to learn theater skills from a professional and showcase their work for all of the community to see."
Full Globe story.

WHDH-TV's Rhett Lewis Huddles at the Kroc!

WHDH-TV's Rhett Lewis visited the Kroc Center recently. Instead of grilling the students with questions, the sports reporter reverted to his days as a football player at Indiana University and treated them to a clinic!

Lewis, a former wide receiver, led the kids in creative catching and passing drills. Then they split into teams and spent the afternoon playing flag football! Lewis played quarterback for both sides.

Many thanks from all of us to Lewis who entertained nearly 40 children between the ages of 6 and 12 years old. The children involved are also participants in our Kids F.E.A.S.T. program. That is a free afterschool program at the Kroc Center that provides homework help, fitness, enrichment and a nutritious meal.

Celtics' Paul Pierce kicks off event at Kroc Center!

Paul Pierce kicked off his Million Hour Challenge at the Kroc Center on November 19. The Celtics captain is asking kids for one million hours of jumping, running, playing, dancing and moving in 2012.

Hundreds of youth attended the kick-off rally at the Kroc Center where they engaged in fun and age-appropriate strength and flexibility exercies. It is part of the all-star’s Truth on Health Campaign and The Boston Foundation’s CHAMPS (Coaches Helping Athletes through Mentoring and Positive Sports) Boston Initiative.

Our thanks to all the media that attended including the Bay State Banner and Tony Irving who captured this fantastic picture of Pierce entering the Kroc Center.

Middle School Basketball League starts soon!

Attention middle school basketball coaches and administrators! The Kroc Center Middle School Basketball League is the place for your team to show off their skills and compete against the best in the area. Season tips off Dec. 9 - so register now!

All games are played on regulation courts in front of board certified referees. Jerseys, lockers, showers and scorekeepers provided. Games are two, 16 minute halves and the season consists of seven games and playoffs. Championship team receives custom hooded sweatshirts!

To learn more and register today contact Larry Merritt at 617-318-6941. Hurry - time is running out!

Success = Expansion of Programs & Services for the Community

Just eight months in and the Kroc Center is expanding programs. it is all part of an effort to double our membership by June.

“A lot of groups have come to us, and vice versa, to fill in the holes we can’t always fill ourselves,” Corps officer Major Ervin McKoy told the Dorchester Reporter. “We found that when we make an announcement about a new offering, they generate a lot of excitement from the community.”

The entire story from the Dorchester Reporter takes a look at the recent successes and the future expansion. For all the inside information click here.

Dribble, Dish and Swish!

The Kroc Center hosted the NBA FIT/WNBA FIT Dribble, Dish & Swish competition. The winners now go to the Celtic's practice space in Waltham for a spot at regionals and then nationals in Orlando. To read more and see who won click here for Boston Globe coverage.

Join now and SAVE!

Sign up for our E-News blasts!

***TOURS ARE AVAILABLE mONDAY through fRIDAY at 12:30, 3:30 and 7:00pm and on saturdays at 12:30 and 3:30pm

Click Here for More Kroc News

» GET INVOLVED!