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Welcome to the RJKCCC NewsCenter! Here you will find the latest information on the progress and the happenings surrounding The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center (RJKCCC) of Boston.
For media inquiries please contact Drew Forster, Kroc Center Program Coordinator at 617-542-5420 x194.
Steel Going Up on Kroc Center
 Steel arrived at the Kroc Center site on Thursday, November 5, marking an important step toward the completion the long-anticipated center. With the foundations complete, steel was erected in the basement area of the pool and the gym so that utility work can continue.
Following the groundbreaking this summer, progress has been efficient on the 6.5 acre site, fulfilling the promise to deliver on a dream held by residents for more than two decades.The distinctive corner of the gym and weight room is now visible by way of the beams standing proudly at the corner of Clifton and Dudley Streets.
Dawn, a community resident, waiting for the bus along Dudley street, was excited to see the activity on the site. As she watched the crane dropping the girders into place, she said, "The community center's going to be really great. I can't wait till it's finished."
Some members of the construction team are equally anxious to see how the center will impact Dorchester and Roxbury. They stopped Kroc Administrator, Major Robert Kountz, as he was leaving a recent construction meeting. "Good job, good job," one of the workers encouraged Major Kountz. Kountz quickly responded, "Oh, you guys are doing a great job. It's coming along so quickly."
As he continued to share gratitude with the workers on behalf of The Salvaiton Army and share with the workers a bit about the arts, education and recreation programs that will be offered, they c ommented on the need for the Kroc Center, "This is outstanding for this neighborhood. It's a great location to put a place like this."
The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center is projected to open in the Spring of 2011. Construction commenced on the strength of a highly successful capital campaign raising local dollars as a match to the allocation received from the Kroc bequest. The Salvation Army is in the process of raising the final $2.5 million required to complete the campaign prior to the Center's opening.
Construction on schedule
Excavation of the foundations began in July, starting at the basement areas by the gym and pool and moving west toward the chapel. Stock piling of a significant amount of dirt has taken place while it is screened and tested for re-use on the project site, or removed for disposal off site.
By August, approximately half of the foundation areas had been excavated and concrete work began to form the foundation walls along the length of Dudley Street, at the Gym area and the chapel area. The pool and pool basement area foundations will be completed last. Utility work commenced in the streets around the project, including work for sewer and water tie ins at the Leyland and Burgess and Clifton and Batchelder intersections and the reconfiguration of the curb and sidewalk at Leyland and Batchelder which will ultimately allow the street directions to be reversed.
As school began, excavation for foundations was almost complete. By October, 85% of foundation concrete had been poured, including the pool and gym basement areas. Waterproofing and insulation at the foundations walls was being completed along Dudley Street and Clifton Streets.  Utility work, including sewer and electricity connections at Leyland and Batchelder were finished by mid-October.
On the South parcel, the site clearing is complete at the soccer field area and grade is being raised and flattened to accommodate the parking lot and playing field. Underground plumbing line installation, within the building footprint, at the kitchen and dining hall area, has started. Final interior footings and foundation work at the pool will be completed shortly.
One Month Look-ahead
During November, Structural steel work will start at the southeast corner of the gym, including the columns and floor framing over the basement area. Then steel work at the pool basement area will occur, followed shortly by the main structural steel columns and beams at the west end of the building, near the dining hall and chapel. Steel work will move east across the site, including the lobby, then through the office and classroom areas, on to the pool and then the gym. Structural steel work will be the main effort from November through January, at which time, the skeleton of the building will be completed.
 Historic Kroc Center Breaks Ground
On July 27, 2009, The Salvation Army officially broke ground on the construction of the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center - the largest social service development project in the history of Massachusetts.
John Fish, Reverend Dr. Ray Hammond, Majors Joan and William Bode, Mayor Menino, and John Hamill donned hard hats, lifted shovels and dug deep into the Dudley dirt to close the Kroc Center Groundbreaking Ceremony.
As trucks and bulldozers were busy moving earth in the background, The Salvation Army band and children's choir sang joyful songs of celebration. Gathered near Uphams Corner, Salvation Army officials and Mayor Thomas M. Menino were surrounded by 750 attendees, including community members, project funders, and elected officials-all eager to celebrate the success of the Kroc Center campaign.
"The Kroc Center has moved from the realm of dreams and possibilities into reality through the dedication and commitment of so many," said the Massachusetts Divisional Commander, Major William Bode. "We've been challenged and tested by the current economic climate, but we have faith that we can and will raise the
final $2.5 million needed locally to complete this $115.5 million project."
Mayor Menino, the Honorary Chairman of the Kroc Campaign and a longtime supporter of the Kroc Center, spoke about what the Center means to the City of Boston. "This is a wonderful day for this neighborhood and for all of
Boston," said Mayor Menino.
John Hamill, Chairman of Sovereign Bank New England and the Kroc Center Capital Campaign, thanked his co-chairs for their support and praised their determination in fundraising through the darker days of the economy.
 A Strong Construction Team for a 'Wonderful Challenge'
The 6.5 acre Kroc Center will be a state-of-the-art educational, health and social services facility that features an aquatic center, gymnasium, fitness center, library, chapel, performing arts center, computer labs and conference rooms.
Two companies are working hard to ensure that the successful transformation of this vacant lot into a vibrant community center that meets the needs of local residents is a success - Suffolk Construction and The Architectural Team. Read full story
It's A 'God Thing'
On July 27th, a crowd of 750 people witnessed a modern-day miracle near Uphams Corner. The Salvation Army broke ground on the $115.5 million, 90,000-square-foot Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. As daunting as the project seemed scarcely three years ago, its earliest supporter and lead donor, the late Tom Flatley, saw how the Kroc Center would give hope and transform the lives of thousands of children and families and declared: "This is a God thing."
The miracle began over a decade ago. Joan Kroc, the widow of Ray Kroc who founded McDonald's, was convinced she had made the right decision. After witnessing how The Salvation Army brought her vision to life in the first Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in San Diego, she left $1.5 billion in her will for The Army to build and endow more Kroc centers across the country in communities that were struggling to get ahead. Read full story.
A Day of Hope, Community and Celebration 
 Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Kroc Center Capital Campaign Chairman John Hamill receive shovels from children in preparation for the official groundbreaking.
"This is truly a dream come true for the people of Dorchester and Roxbury who have worked so hard to make this incredible project a success. The Kroc Center is going to make a significant difference in the lives of local families for generations."
--John Barros
Executive Director, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
See more photos of the Groundbreaking Celebration
A Big Day for Boston 
 The air was electric during the Groundbreaking Ceremony as the excitement surrounding the Kroc Center spread throughout the community.
As the largest social services community center in the history of Massachusetts, the Boston Kroc Center will have a critical and lasting impact on the thousands of families, children, teens and seniors living in the neigh borhood. Leading up to, during and after the Groundbreaking Ceremony, local media outlets - including the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, NECN, WBZ Radio, Neighborhood Network News, Associated Press, Dorchester Reporter, Boston Business Journal and others - spoke to local community members, elected officials and donors to better understand how the Kroc Center might transform the lives of Bostonians for generations to come. Read full story.
The Red Sox and 38,000 Fans Celebrate Kroc Center
 On July 27th, Majors William and Joan Bode, The Salvation Army's Massachusetts Divisional Commanders, Colonel Steven R. Hedgren, Eastern Territory Chief Secretary, and Colonel Judith Hedgren, Territorial Secretary to Women's Ministries, joined Wally on the Fenway field prior to the start of the Sox game against Oakland.
38,000 fans cheered and celebrated the announcement of the official Kroc Center groundbreaking with The Salvation Army as the Red Sox welcomed the group to Fenway Park. The Kroc Center will bring numerous health and fitness opportunities to local Red Sox fans of all ages.
The Remaining Challenge: $2.5 Million to Complete Campaign
With $113 out of $115.5 million raised to date, The Salvation Army is now focusing on raising the final funds needed to complete the campaign. "We are moving ahead with construction as a firm expression of faith that we can and will raise the remaining $2.5 million," said Major William Bode, Divisional Commander of the Massachusetts Salvation Army. "We are incredibly humbled and appreciative of all the work and dedication that has brought us to this point, but we must not lose sight of the true goal - to complete the capital campaign and top off the funds that will sustain the Kroc Center for the long term."
When speaking of Liberty Mutual's own investment in the Kroc Center, Chairman, President & CEO Edmund (Ted) F. Kelly remarked, "Investing in The Salvation Army's Kroc Center Campaign will bring incredible resources and services to people of all ages within one of the most densely populated and underserved communities in the state." In fact, when the Kroc Center opens, The Salvation Army will double its capacity to provide services and programs in Greater Boston. Read full story.
Boston Business Journal: Kroc Center Beats Odds
You can now view the progress on the construction of the Kroc Center with this interactive webcam provided by Suffolk Construction. Snapshots have been taken at 15-minute intervals since construction began.
The next best thing to a site visit, the project webcam takes you right to the action.
Last fall, Salvation Army of Massachusetts executives were gloomy when they discussed the prospects for building the organization's new $115 million community center in Dorchester.
Talk about a turnaround. Today, the state's Salvation Army division has defied economic odds as it breaks ground on the Kroc Corps Community Center project with a remarkable burst of fundraising energy this year that has propelled it toward completion. Read the whole story by Mary Moore from the Boston Business Journal.
New Community Center Renews Hope for Many
 Isaura Mendes still wears buttons with the faces of her two murdered sons. Since their killings - one in 1999, the other in 2006 - she has been spreading a message of peace, then forgiveness in her Uphams Corner community.
Now her message is hope.
Long a champion of creating places where teenagers can stay active and out of trouble, she has been rallying around a Salvation Army plan for a community center in her neighborhood. Read the whole story in the recent Boston Globe article by Meghan Irons.
 Kroc Center a 'Go'
More than three years after the initial announcement by The Salvation Army and the City of Boston, the Kroc Center designated for the Uppham's Corner area of Dorchester is finally a 'go.' The first account of this breaking news story comes of course from the local newspaper. To find out more click on the Dorchester Reporter story "Salvation Army: Dudley Street's Kroc Center is a 'go'"
"Risen from the Ashes"
A Dorchester mom hopes the deaths of two of her sons due to street violence will actually bring life back to the Uphams Corner area of Boston. The Boston Herald's Peter Gelzinis has her inspiring story of hope motivated by love of her family and her neighborhood in his column,"Mom pins hope on bright future."
 Yale Day of Service Volunteers Beautify Kroc Center Site
An enthusiastic group of Yale alumni representing several schools including Yale College, the School of Management and the School of Nursing worked hard to clear weeds and debris from the site in anticipation of construction commencing this summer. Yale's founding principles included a commitment to service, a commitment lived out by alumni for over 300 years. In 2009, for the first time, the University sponsored a global Yale Day of Service, a day when alumni all over the world enjoyed coming together in service to their local communities.
 Buy a Brick with Loren & Wally a Huge Success
A promotion featuring 105.7 WROR's hit duo Loren & Wally has raised more than $40,000 to benefit the Kroc Center. Listeners had the opportunity to purchase an official Kroc center paver which will be engraved with a personalized message and permanently embedded on the path leading to the facility. More than 385 bricks were sold over the two-week period. To learn more about the campaign and ways you can still get invovled click here.
 Community Campaign and Webpage Launches At a community meeting in Dorchester on February 17th the Community Campaign phase of the Kroc Center Capital Campaign launched. And in an effort to involve the community further as well as track progress a community campaign webpage also debuted. The webpage is designed to inspire action and explain how the campaign works. To see the debut of the community campaign webpage simply click here.
Dorchester Reporter Op-Ed Inspires Action
A recent editorial in The Dorchester Reporter accentuates how intense these days are for those who want the Kroc Center built and those who need the Kroc Center built. Edward W. Forry, Associate Publisher, shares inside details including possible start and finish dates for the project in his piece titled "Push bears fruit for Kroc Center in Uphams Corner."
 Globe's Adrian Walker Tours Kroc Center Site
Boston Globe columnist Adrian Walker recently took a tour of the Kroc Center site with members of the community, members of The Salvation Army and the Kroc Center Capital Campaign Chair, John Hamill. Mr. Walker captures the essence of this transformational project in his column titled, "Still a center of attention."
 NECN's This Week in Business highlights Kroc Center
John Hamill, the Kroc Center Capital Campaign Chair, recently appeared on New England Cable News (NECN) program This Week in Business. Interviewed by Paul Guzzi, President of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Hamill discussed the impacts, economic and otherwise, that the Kroc Center will bring to residents of Dorchester and Roxbury and the entire city of Boston. To see the interview, simply click on Mr. Hamill's photo.
(photo courtesy NECN)
 Norman Strate, president, TBS Technologies publishes Op-Ed
Kroc Center Leadership Advisory Committee member Norman Strate, recently wrote an Op-Ed piece about the Kroc Center. The piece appearing in the Mass High Tech Journal is titled "Proposed Kroc Center would benefit city work force." To read the article, simply click on Mr. Strate's photo.
(photo courtesy MHT)
 A Boston Foundation offers Half-Million Dollar Challenge
An anonymous foundation has presented the Kroc Campaign with a unique $500,000 Challenge gift. The anonymous foundation will make the generous contribution once we raise $4.5 million from other foundations. It is an effort to provide the leverage necessary to bust the "logjam" of foundations that have expressed interest in the Kroc Center but have yet to make gifts to the Campaign. The December 31, 2008 deadline was extended, however, it is not an open-ended offer. By achieving this Challenge ($5 million total) we will end 2008 by officially reaching the halfway mark of our total fundraising goal - $15 million.
 Curt Schilling throws support behind Kroc Center
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling recently taped a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for the Kroc Center. The pitching ace who has made more than 400 starts, won more than 200 games, struck out more than 3,000 batters and won three World Series knows a winning team when he sees one. That is why Schilling has joined The Salvation Army in support of our efforts to build a Kroc Center in Dorchester. To see our PSA, return to our homepage and click his name in the video box. (photo courtesy MLB)
 Passionate Op-Ed inspires Bostonians
John Hamill, the Kroc Center Capital Campaign Chair, has written an opinion editorial piece that appeared in the Boston Business Journal. John's passion for the project has inspired Bostonians and business leaders to become involved in this project which will transform lives and bring a community closer together. If you have read the article and want to follow Mr. Hamill's lead and join our team, simply click the "Get Involved" link to the left. If you have not had an opportunity to read this important call to action, simply click his photo.
 Kroc Chronicle hits newsstands
Volume Two, Issue Two of the Kroc Chronicle is out. Within the pages you will find inside information from a recent meeting with Boston business leaders, you will meet the new Administrators as the Kroc Leadership Team expands, plus, the second Kroc Center in the country opens it's doors - the Kroc Chronicle takes you there for the historic day. All that and more with a click of your mouse.
 Committee headed by John Hamill and Mayor Menino named
The Leadership Gifts Committee for the Kroc Center effort has been announced. The Chair of this impressive group is John Hamill, Chairman, Sovereign Bank NE (pictured right with Herb Morse, Salvation Army Kroc Center Chair). The Honorary Chair is Mayor Thomas M. Menino. The committee consists of business and community leaders in the Dorchester and Roxbury communities as well as the city of Boston. To see the names of everyone involved, simply click on the photo of Mr. Morse and Mr. Hamill.
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