Caring Vol. 19, No. 2 (Summer 2012) by Caring Magazine, a publication from The Salvation Army

Contents

All Things Kroc • SUMMER 2012 • VOL. 18 NO. 02

Camden, N.J.

03 04 05 06

My Corner

10 12

Interview_ jason perkins

how it all came together

To Open

September 2013

Guayama, Puerto Rico To Open

INTERACT PERSPECTIVE NEWS BITES_ World culture faith work

ideas_ inspiration initiative first person

April 2013

Philadelphia, Pa.

22 24 30

Opened

October 2010

South Bend, Ind. Opened

January 2012

Staten Island, New York Pending

Ashland, Ohio Opened

April 2009

book and cook aloha, Kroc a changing role

youth asset development initiative

the first 30 days

38 40 43 44

A united vision william booth: A tribute review resources

JOAN KROC Cover photos by Ryan Eng Illustration by Adriana Rivera

THE HOLISTIC MINISTRY OF THE SALVATION ARMY Summer 2012, vol. 18 no. 02 ISSN 2164-5922

Caring is published quarterly by The Salvation Army and seeks to: Reclaim ‘acts of mercy’ as imperatives to holiness. Bring the Army’s ministries of evangelistic and social outreach into one holistic ministry.

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Editor in Chief/Robert Docter, Ph.D. bob.docter@usw.salvationarmy.org Managing Editor/Christin Davis christin.davis@usw.salvationarmy.org Assistant Editor/Erica Andrews erica.andrews@usw.salvationarmy.org Contributing Editor/Karen Gleason karen.gleason@usw.salvationarmy.org Associate Editor/Buffy Lincoln buffy.lincoln@usw.salvationarmy.org Circulation/Arlene DeJesus arlene.dejesus@usw.salvationarmy.org

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Major Betty Israel/USA National Headquarters Major Geoffrey Allan/USA Central Territory Major Florence Townsend/USA Eastern Territory Kevin Tomson-Hooper/USA Southern Territory Major Lawrence Shiroma/USA Western Territory

LAYOUT & DESIGN

Art Director/Kevin Dobruck kevin.dobruck@usw.salvationarmy.org Graphic Designer/Adriana Rivera adriana.rivera@usw.salvationarmy.org

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CIRCULATION

Send address changes to Caring, P.O. Box 22646, Long Beach, CA 90802 or caring@usw.salvationarmy.org. SALVATION ARMY USA WESTERN TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS Territorial Commander/Commissioner James Knaggs Chief Secretary/Colonel Dave Hudson P.O. Box 22646 180 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802 562/491-8723 • Fax 562/491-8791 e-mail: caring@usw.salvationarmy.org Facebook: CaringMagazine Twitter: @CaringMagazine Unless otherwise indicated, all contents copyright© 2012 by New Frontier Publications, The Salvation Army, USA Western Territory, 180 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802 USA. If requested, permission to reproduce is usually freely granted. Please contact the publisher before reproducing.

What Joan Kroc taught us about ourselves By Robert Docter

I’M

CONVINCED

THAT

Joan Kroc’s remarkable gift of $1.5 billion to The Salvation Army caused us to change the way we think about ourselves. We have, I believe, elevated the esteem in which we hold the Army. We’re proud to be trusted by someone who commits this amount of money on a series of major projects spanning the entire nation. Consequently, we have begun to perceive ourselves differently. Additionally, she required us to examine the impact of a century of history and tradition in relation to what we are today; who we are, what we can do, and the nature of the important link between social work and corps programming. In many ways, Joan Kroc’s gift was, also, a gift to the poor. She believed that the poor should have the same opportunities as the wealthy. She believed that individuals actualized their potential by confronting their fear and “running the race” of life with perseverance and a quest for victory. She believed that this could be initiated early in a child’s life through some kind of recognized and rewarded noble achievement with recognition by

those who mattered to the child. She knew that not every entrant wins the race, but every runner does win the victory of participation. We exist within a process of continual change. We struggle to avoid it believing that the past provided a safe, firm foundation. We embrace some aspects of the changing culture and abhor others. As an organization we find “change” difficult. After all, we refused to significantly modify our uniforms for almost 100 years. And then, Joan Kroc trusted us with a major endeavor. At first, as we began to examine the consequences of this gift, we were, I believe, awe struck. Then, following some intensive bouts with anxiety, we accepted the reality that we had to be trustworthy in every way and went to work. We invited God into the process, and gained confidence in our abilities. We saw the high quality of our personnel, and moved forward across the nation. So this Army can shift gears quickly when it has to. I hope that point of view permeates the way we work on other projects. I believe it’s unavoidable. Joan Kroc read our history and found a fighting spirit against any sign of oppression, isolation, bigotry, or marginalization. She sensed our longing for peace in the world and our commitment to loving our neighbor, anywhere in the world. We work in a world that presents us vastly different cultures, and differences Connect with Bob

website: caringmagazine.org facebook.com/CaringMagazine twitter @CaringMagazine email: bob.docter@usw.salvationarmy.org

within each culture. This means that values, mores, personalities, methods of worship and religious belief systems vary. We’ve done fairly well in relating to people who are “like” us. We even succeed greatly within nations dominated by western culture. We struggle in other relationships, and all too often differences inhibit us. We forget the ease found in the Jesus model, the Good Samaritan model. The more we love and care for others, the more we reveal Christ. Christianity is a relationship religion. We need to continue to strengthen our emphasis of the Samaritan model in our daily relationships. The sermon model, practiced without love relationships, fails. We cannot impose a belief system. It can, however be “caught” if lived fully by others in the relationship. Joan Kroc’s model of centers for complete human development can lift humanity to a higher plane. To succeed in these centers we are required to work more diligently with a synthesis of social and spiritual programming. We don’t have to “sell” God. All we have to do is be like Christ. w

Robert Docter, Ph. D., is the editor in chief of New Frontier Publications.

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CHANGING LIVES @TSA Prairie RT @CaringMagazine: This inspirational video takes a look at how the Kroc Centers in the U.S. are changing lives... http://fb.me/1za5dWkgd. t

Watch this video about the nation’s Kroc Centers from the 2011 Salvation Army annual report: http://youtu.be/JyVZevqKiWQ

@harryetteobrien He likes to stay connected!

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IN YOUR WORDS The cover image of the Caring spring issue, “Generations,” received a lot of attention on Facebook...

Connect with us for daily doses of Caring: twitter @CaringMagazine facebook.com/CaringMagazine website: caringmagazine.org

“To tell the truth, it’s a bit scary...” —Brian Saunders “Too funny!” —Raymond Erickson-King “Officers are happier, cleaner shaven, bright-eyed and have bigger ears than do mere soldiers. Give me a break!” —Walter Coles

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partners here in Memphis. We will encourage them One of Jason M. Hale’s photos, documenting the real life stories of Charlie Troop’s deployment. We recently heard from Jason (“First Person,” vol. 17 no. 04), who is currently deployed with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. He’s documenting the deployment for those back home at facebook.com/ afghanistanbound, and loves receiving letters for the soldiers of Charlie Troop. Take a look at his images, and leave a note. To send more, write Jason a message and he’ll provide the info.

to subscribe. I am sure they will because your magazine is done so well.” —Ty Cobb

Yes—you, too, can be like Joan Kroc By Christin Davis

JOAN KROC BELIEVED in strength, especially strength of character. In the initial discussions for what would become the first Kroc Center, she told the team that she had built self-confidence by ice-skating, and her friend by swimming. She wanted the Kroc Centers to be filled with amenities that would assist people—especially children—in building self-confidence and character through sports, the arts or education. Throughout the process, she also insisted that The Salvation Army think bigger, and believe in itself. As the widow of the founder of Mc Donald’s Corp., Joan Kroc was clearly wealthy, but this billionaire had a heart for using wealth to help others. When she anonymously made a financial gift to every member of a flood-ravaged community in the Midwest, but was discovered, she came to be known as the stealth philanthropist. We learn more about Kroc’s relationship with The Salvation Army through Commissioner Don Bell, who was the chief secretary in the Western Territory at the time of and leading up to her $1.5 billion donation— the largest ever to a charitable organization. “Joan was deeply compassionate, and deeply concerned with the welfare and success of others,” Bell writes. The Army is keenly aware of its responsibility in implementing her gift, and developed the Youth Asset Christin Development initiative to recognize, Davis is the managing tap into and nurture youth potential. editor of The initiative measures specific New Frontier outcomes that allow the Army to Publications. track how well the Kroc Centers

are doing at building relationships and strength of character. We know this development of youth is critical, especially if 80 percent of life’s most significant events take place by age 35, making the 20s a “developmental sweet spot,” according to a recent Forbes interview with a clinical psychologist who specializes in adult development. It’s exciting to think of the potential for individual and social change that developing strengths in thousands of kids in 27 Kroc Centers across the country offers. Joan Kroc, the stealth philanthropist, may have started a phenomenon for positivity, for cultivating virtue. Perhaps in 20 years we’ll read a report on how the Kroc Centers changed the country for the better. Whether it be over a billion dollars or just a few to a man digging through the trash at the airport, as Kroc’s granddaughter Amanda Latimer shares, Joan Kroc was known for giving. But here’s the main takeaway: You don’t have to be a billionaire like Joan Kroc to give and to do good. An instruction she gave to Amanda in a birthday letter can be a motto for us all: “Be a carrier of joy.” w

Connect with Christin

website: caringmagazine.org facebook.com/CaringMagazine twitter @CaringMagazine email: christin.davis@usw.salvationarmy.org

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LT U R E

TH FA I

Crack down on trafficking According to the U.N. crime-fighting office, 2.4 million people across the globe are victims of human trafficking at any one time, and 80 percent of them are being exploited as sexual slaves. In 2011, the U.S. Justice Department initiated a record 120 cases against human traffickers and The Salvation Army’s anti-trafficking programs served 325 victims of human trafficking nationwide. Pope calls for respect In his message on Easter, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to the violence in Syria. “May the risen Christ grant hope to the Middle East and enable all the ethnic, cultural and religious groups in that region to work together to advance the common good and respect for human rights,” he said.

Ring the Bell India’s “Bell Bajao [Ring the Bell]” media campaign challenges men to cause an interruption when they suspect that violence against a woman is occurring. Roughly 35 percent of Indian women suffer domestic violence, according to the U.N. Evaluations to date show the campaign has reached 130 million people and become part of the public lexicon in India. See more: bellbajao.org.

Canada funds recovery The Salvation Army Regina Waterston Centre in Canada is receiving over $500,000 in federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding to assist women recovering from addiction.

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Uniting for shelter The Salvation Army joined over 30 groups to petition non-compliance of the right to shelter, a recognized fundamental freedom in France. Supporters each brought a stone to help build a house as a symbol of the mobilization.

Smartest town Washington, D.C., metro area is the most highly educated in the nation with 54 percent of adults having an associate’s degree or higher, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. KONY 2012 Trafficking gained notoriety this year with the “Kony 2012” campaign from Invisible Children, which advocates for the end of child kidnapping by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda that is led by Joseph Kony. Its first 30-minute film, outlining the aim to find and arrest Kony, received 100 million views on YouTube in its first week. Watch the two films to date at invisiblechildren.com. The CDC reported in April that teen births fell 9 percent in 2010, to 34.3 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19, the lowest rate since such records were first tallied in 1940. Failing is part of learning The American Psychological Association’s Journal of Experimental Psychology: General says children may perform better in school if teachers and parents sent the message that failing is a normal part of learning, rather than being pressured to succeed at all costs. Read the report: http://bit.ly/wxCzN3.

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Homeless hotspot Marketing firm BBH took heat for its “homeless hotspot” project at SXSW, which strapped compact wireless routers to homeless individuals for conference-goers’ use. The individuals were paid and organizers say they intended it to trigger conversation about homelessness, but many people said it still had an “ick” factor.

Big help The 25th annual Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Choice Awards presented Taylor Swift with the Big Help Award for her extensive philanthropic work and support of charities and nonprofits, including The Salvation Army.

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LT U R E

TH FA I

Controversial pastor The Christ Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., hired a registered sex offender to pastor its congregation, but since the courts won’t let him have unsupervised contact with minors, the church banned kids from Sunday services. Attendance has gone from an average of 10 people to between 150 and 200 since he began preaching.

Newsweek covers Jesus The April 8 issue of Newsweek features a graphic of Jesus in Times Square on the cover, with a headline: “Forget the Church; Follow Jesus.” Author Andrew Sullivan writes, “Christianity has been destroyed by politics, priests, and get-rich evangelists. Ignore them, and embrace him.” Read the article: http://bit. ly/H55qUk.

Finding faith in prison Three-quarters of chaplains say that a lot or some “religious switching” occurs among inmates in the prisons where they work, according to The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Read the report, a 50-state survey of prison chaplains, here: http://bit.ly/GHsPUr.

New doctrine members The Salvation Army International Doctrine Council welcomed new members Major Danielle Cesar (France and Belgium Territory), Captain Amy Reardon (USA National) and Dr. James Read (Canada and Bermuda Territory) at its March meeting.

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Crosses banned in UK In Britain, Nadia Eweida and Shirley Chaplin were both told by employers to cover or remove the Christian symbols hanging around their necks. They refused, and faced consequences. Europe’s highest court is now considering whether employees have the right to wear crosses that show over uniforms.

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Thriving art “Whether in painting, singing, dancing, poetry writing, ensemble work, jazz improvisation, designing, sculpting or acting—at the South Bend Kroc Center, we prayerfully and energetically hope to develop classes, activities and events that foster probable potentials,” said Kevin Sparks, the new music director at the South Bend Kroc Center. “We pray that largely fear-free and ego-free excellence will thrive.”

Fly kicks By Brian Silverstein If you’re unsure who the Shinn brothers are, they most definitely are the ones with the really “fly” kicks. These guys know how to lace ‘em up, and whether it’s a pair of ’92 Jordan’s or the new LeBron’s, they own them. Rick and Ryan Shinn were shooting around in the Quincy Kroc Center gymnasium recently when they saw a member playing with a less than desirable pair of shoes. They went home and brought the young man a slightly worn pair of expensive basketball shoes. Photo by Adam Duesterhaus

Brian Silverstein is the welcome desk supervisor at the Kroc Center in Quincy, Ill.

30 years of shelter This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Salvation Army’s domestic violence shelter in Florida. Since it opened its doors in 1982, the shelter has helped more than 10,000 women, children and men change their lives.

Savvy shopping The Mississippi Gulf Coast Kroc Center in Biloxi, Miss., is teaching its community the tips and secrets to extreme savings with Savvy Shopper Couponing 101, a four-class series. Savvy shopper expert, Stacy Crandle, instructs students on how to save big.

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From one army to another Former U.S. Army Ranger now directs Kroc Center By Erica Andrews

JASON PERKINS is used to taking risks. At 18 he joined

the U.S. Army and later became an airborne ranger, jumping out of planes on dangerous missions. But during a parachute jump training, he blew out both of his knees. Perkins developed Neurocardiogenic Syncope—a condition of the heart that causes temporary loss of consciousness. The needed pacemaker resulted in medical retirement from the military at the age of 27. Not being one to stay stagnant, Perkins obtained two degrees in information technology and business management. He then worked in banking for several years, before starting his own companies. During a Rotary meeting in Suisun City, Calif., he met Captain Jonathan Harvey of the then developing Suisun City Kroc Center, and was later hired as its director. Caring talked with Perkins to hear more on his plans for the Kroc Center and to discover who he is behind the uniform. What propelled you to want to work with The Salvation Army? I think it’s a two-part answer. First, they’re really doing stuff that is faithdriven and faith-based. I think it’s amazing that for the first time in my life, I get to work for an organization that has a Christian base. Second, it does in some aspects have a similarity to the military, as far as having rank structures and uniforms; I think subconsciously that had an appeal to me. What does being a director for the center involve? I really want to be the person that’s out on the floor interacting with my employees and interacting with the community. It’s not just a Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center—it’s the center of the community. If I’m not out there listening, I’ll never understand what their expectations of the center are. That’s really where my job starts—being able to have a pulse on the community and then really bring that culture to our employees and the center itself. Do you foresee any challenges? I think there are always challenges. I think the challenge with the center is that people don’t understand the funding

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Erica Andrews is the assistant editor for Caring.

portion for it. You start building a big center and they don’t understand it was funded through Ray and Joan Kroc. They start thinking The Salvation Army is spending all of this money on this beautiful center. I think those are some of the important things—educating the community on how it all came about and that every dollar does count. Speaking of making every dollar count, you entered the 2011 Red Kettle Bell-ringer World Record Contest and lasted an impressive 57 hours. Was that difficult considering your knee injuries? Yeah, I mean I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. I don’t talk about it a whole lot because I never want it to be about what I did in the U.S Army, but you know I worked for an elite organization. We were an eight-man unit. We did rescue missions, we recovered prisoners and had to do a lot of things that are tough to deal with. You come out of that really being able to compartmentalize your emotions and that’s not always a good thing. Dealing with the physical portion of it and the pain, you kind of put it in a compartment and you just don’t think about it. I can tell you day-to-day it got easier and easier with the support of the people out there. I can’t remember a time that I was touched like I was through that [bell ringing] event.

Connect with Erica

website: caringmagazine.org facebook.com/caringmagazine twitter: @caringmagazine email: erica.andrews@usw.salvationarmy.org Photos by

Kelsey Pearce and courtesy of Jason Perkins

Above: Daughters Madison, Samantha and Miranda. Right: Jason during his time as a U.S. Army Ranger.

What role has religion played in your life? Roughly two years ago, it was about how much money can I make, I have to do this and I have to do that. Now for the first time in my life, I really feel like I’m at a spot where it’s about how many lives we can change. It’s amazing how much stress goes away when you’re actually at a point in your life to where you can feel that way. Would you say the center has changed you? I’m blessed to have a family and blessed to have a wife who supports me. The compensation I get on a spiritual side and the fact that my kids comment that I’m happier all of the time—I think it’s not only changed my perspective on work, but my home life. Everything has really come together. It’s no doubt because of my position with the center and my relationship with Christ. There’s no reason to even doubt that or even fight it, that’s the reason it’s all changed. I only hope on some level, I live up to what Joan Kroc’s vision of what this center should be. w

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Actively unique An educational fun zone By Ellen Westbrook

NO KROC CENTER nor community center nationwide has anything like the Autozone Challenge Area in the Memphis Kroc Center, slated to open in December 2012. In its first year, the Kroc Center expects to work with as many as 1,400 kids from the surrounding schools and neighborhoods. By 2018, the plan is to grow that number to 12,000 a year. “Where we’re located, at the crossroads of so many communities, we’re going to have an impact on tens of thousands of people of all ages,” Ty Cobb, the center’s program director, told The Commercial Appeal. Cobb is an ex-Ole Miss cheerleaderturned-entrepreneur with a basketball dunk team. After his own wild youth, he decided he wanted to work with at-risk kids, and continue having fun. And fun is a cornerstone of the Memphis Kroc Center. First, in “Mission: Possible,” teams of six enter a briefing room for their assignment. Led by a trained facilitator, kids game their way through themed rooms that include a jungle, a mine, a disaster area, and a boiler room. In fully equipped 3D environments, they can manipulate video commands, lasers, touch pads, and robotic hands to complete the challenge. By the time a team has re-powered the generator for a hospital, repaired an airplane for a jungle rescue or mixed a life-saving medicine, the kids are so victorious, they don’t realize they’ve just learned the real-life impact of science, math, teamwork, communication and decision-making. In the second area, “Garage Band Showcase,” nine stacked stages with garage doors open and close sequentially for brief performances. Bands, vocalists, dance teams and drama troupes can seamlessly play to an active crowd of young people, giving amateur performers with limited repertoires the chance to perform. “Playing in a Garage Band demo stage was the perfect way to start,” said one student. “After a few turns here, I’ll be ready for the big time!” Finally, in the giant “FunPlex,” everyone is part-participant, part-audience. Visitors rotate through turf games, inflatables and floor puzzles. “Through over a hundred event scripts and scenarios, the students can have a unique and intriguing learning experience every visit for years,” Cobb said. “This unique concept can only take place in our 11-room obstacle course...a powerful experiential teaching system.” w

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At the Power Transfer Panel, Smith, Henry and Willie calculate the total amps required to repower a hospital and save lives.

Ellen Westbrook is the public relations manager for The Salvation Army in Memphis, Tenn. Photos by Ellen Westbrook / Renderings concept design by Ty Cobb, drawings by Brandon Allen and Angelo Martino Connect with the Kroc website: krocmemphis.org facebook.com/krocmemphis twitter @krocmemphis address: 696 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105

Watch “Crossfire Mission Gori,” one of hundreds of videos in the obstacle course rooms at http://youtu.be/ X6TRIA0tNA.

Top: The bunker room. Above left: The engineering room. Above: The nine garage band stages under construction. Left: Painting a mural in the jungle room.

See more on the commando concepts and photos from the themed rooms at krocmemphis.org.

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Kroc Fit Kids Fighting childhood obesity By Maria Todaro

The SALVATION ARMYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S KROC CENTER in San Diego developed Kroc Fit Kids as a response to community need for physical education. With severe budget cuts in San Diego schools, art, physical education and sciences have become novelties, and many schools have

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Kids get active during field trips to the San Diego Kroc Center.

just one type of instructor, if any. The aim is to fight childhood obesity through increased minutes of physical activity, teacher and parent involvement, physical fitness curriculum and access to facilities. It targets third, fourth and fifthgrade students and consists of four main researchbased intervention components: a 30-minute school assembly with a five-minute introduction on the importance of nutrition and exercise, and 20 minutes of cardiovascular physical activity; a guided fitnessfocused field trip to the Kroc Center; 10-minute bouts of deskside physical activity that are integrated into English and math lessons; and a free family fun night at the Kroc Center with family activities, healthy snacks, and a lesson to take home. Program research on the intervention components earned $20,000 from the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation to fund the first year of the program, which included 500 students from three partner elementary schools within walking distance of the Kroc Center. The children represent the diverse community surrounding the Kroc Center, with 42 percent being Hispanic or Latino, 32 percent English language learners, and an Maria Todaro is the marketing and public relations director and Kroc Fit Kids program director at the San Diego, Calif., Kroc Center Photos by Peter Delgado

average of 78 percent considered socio-economically disadvantaged. An implementation team, overseen by Fitness Manager Kathryn Korn, works together each month to develop the theme and curriculum. “Our goal as fitness professionals and community members should be to aid in the development of a broad array of physical abilities for young people that will develop healthy habits for life,” Korn said. She also implements a pre-and post-test that is administered during the first and last field trip of the program year. On testing day, students are guided through four stations that assess height, weight, upper body strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular ability. The results of this post-test, in combination with logs of the additional minutes of physical activity, parent involvement, and teacher facilitated deskside physical activity, will serve as a stewardship report for the program, which concludes its first year in May. The goal is to increase participants’ ability to perform two or more of the tasks in the pre-test by 65 percent, to increase overall fitness test scores by 15 percent, and for participants to show a minimum of a 25 percent increase in minutes engaged in physical activity per month. “I see the children within our target schools thriving from the Kroc Fit Kids program,” Korn said. “This added physical activity is something they enjoy and look forward to and teaches not only health and fitness, but teamwork and cooperation.” The Kroc Fit Kids program is now part of a national demonstration proposal, slated for duplication and piloting at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Kroc Center. From there, we hope that the program model can be duplicated at Kroc Centers across the country. w

Connect with the Kroc website: kroccenter.org facebook.com/ kroccentersd twitter @KrocCenterSD address: 6845 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92115

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My grandma’s love Joan Kroc’s granddaughter shares a personal letter from her grandma. By Amanda Latimer

I AM EXTREMELY PROUD to express my love and admiration for my Grandma Joan. I remember it like it was yesterday when she surprised the people of The Salvation Army, the media, and our family when she crawled in the bulldozer at the groundbreaking of the first opening of the center in San Diego. The next day, the front page in the San Diego Union-Tribune read, “Billionaire Kroc climbs in the bulldozer for the groundbreaking!” From that day, she was counting down to when the center would be available for these wonderful families and children. I was with her the night before the opening and it was like Christmas Eve for my grandma! I have attended most of the openings around the country in the last few years. When I speak, I often tell the story of a man she helped feel loved and accepted. Grandma and I were heading out of town on a trip together. We were pulling in to the airport when she saw a man with his head in a trash can. As we pulled up to the gate, my grandma said to me, “Honey, roll down the window.” I rolled it down and she said to the man, “Yoo hoo, honey.” The man turned around in disbelief that someone noticed him. She said, “Come over here.” He slowly walked over to her, she took his hand and looked him in the eyes. She gave him money and said, “Now go get cleaned up and get some food.” I believe for once this man felt that someone was not just giving him money. His facial expression said that he felt someone really cared and accepted him for where he was in his life at that moment. When Grandma Joan and I got on the plane, she looked at me and said, “Honey, we are not sure what he will use the money for, but whatever it is, for one moment at least, he felt that someone really cared.” I will never

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forget that day. She had such compassion for people. On the day of the opening of the first Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, she was beaming with joy. Grandma spoke with pride and hope in front of the community. She was able to see the beauty of the center. I can honestly say that she felt that her dream came true. She spoke to the community of San Diego with appreciation for the many people that would be able to enjoy and benefit from the facility. My grandma wrote this letter to me when I turned 21, and I would like to share it with you: My Dearest Amanda, You are only a few short days of your 21st birthday. May love and happiness attend you wherever you go and may you be blessed with many loyal friends. As you approach adulthood you already realize that many joys and some disappointments will come to you on life’s journey. You can learn to fortify yourself for whatever life holds by thinking pure and positive thoughts. Remember the men and women who accomplish things in this world today are those who remain strong in the face of adversity and vow not to be defeated. You will be amazed and delighted with the happiness that can come from the most unexpected sources. Be a carrier of joy, dear Amanda. Your name is one of grace and cheer and you are by nature a giver of love. Don’t ever be embarrassed to receive it. Jesus asks us to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I want you to believe that a life of service is a happy one to lead. Serve others joyously and your reward will be great; carry with you the message of charity and brotherly love. Love your fellow man—keep hate out of your

Joan Kroc with granddaughter, Amanda, circa 1998. soul. It has soured the lives of many who could have been messengers of joy. Read good books and think deeply about what you read. You will find that when all have failed to please you and your soul is tired and hungry for sympathy, joy may be found between the covers of a good book. Fortunately, you are living in the “age of women,” therefore, I ask of you—amount to something. Vow to be more than a parlor ornament; vow to be something that will place your name among the annals of the givers. You possess the talents far above those possessed by the average young woman. Develop them; let your light shine as a beacon to guide others unto the path of serenity and stewardship. Dream of great things to come and vow to be

ready to receive them when they do come. Be just, be generous, be kind to those around you so that when dark comes you will have plenty of friends that will help you bear your troubles. Your Grandma Joan loves you dearly. I am ambitious for you and will help you as far as you will let me. May God bless my dear Amanda and keep her strong in body mind and spirit. He will help you to take advantage of your wonderful and loving Amanda Latimer is attributes. the grandaughter of Grandma Joan

I have no doubt that my Grandma Joan is looking down on the new and beautiful Kroc Centers with pride and love for all. w

Joan Kroc.

Photos courtesy of Amanda Latimer

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How it all came together The history of a relationship that led to 27 Kroc Centers By Don Bell

When Debi and I were appointed as divisional leaders in San Diego in February 1998, we immediately took up the work laid by previous divisional leaders and staff for a new corps community center in the east San Diego area. The previous year, Joan Kroc asked The Salvation Army in San Diego to submit a proposal for a community center. She had toured an underserved part of the city with the former mayor of San Diego, Maureen O’Connor, and Joan was touched by the great need and lack of facilities in East San Diego. Maureen indicated to Joan that she may want to work with The Salvation Army, as it is an organization you can trust with your money—a trust the Army built by the faithfulness and public accountability of officers and soldiers for over 120 years in the greater San Diego community. The Army submitted concept drawings to Joan that outlined a corps community center, including a chapel/meeting hall, fellowship hall,

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classroom building, administrative offices, full-size gymnasium, and a child care center. It was immediately clear that our vision was not big enough. Joan said the proposal was not what she had in mind. As a young child, she said, she had built self-confidence by ice skating. Her friend, Maureen O’Connor, had built self-confidence by swimming. Joan said she wanted a center that would allow young people to build self-confidence through sports, the arts, or education. She wanted to see competition facilities for ice skating and swimming, as well as a performing arts center and a library. We went back to the drawing board and included professional size basketball courts, an ice hockey arena, competition and recreational swimming pools, sport fields for soccer and baseball, a performing arts and educational center, chapel, classrooms, childcare center and warehouse. This second proposal was presented to Joan and she said, “I like it.” We asked what part she liked and she responded—all of it. The Salvation Army, however, cautioned that it was one thing to build such a complex, but another to finance it in the long run. “Yes, I’m aware of that and I intend to provide a gift to endow the program as well as build the facility,” Joan said. “It won’t cost more than $100 million will it?” An ovation-worthy plan As plans began to develop, we hired a coordinator to oversee the process and formed an advisory council to determine the needs of the community and receive its feedback. Locating a site became the first challenge, and we prayed for guidance. God was in this project from the beginning, and we learned that a 12-acre site was for sale in East San Diego where the cities of San Diego, El Cajon and Lemon Grove come together. At a local neighborhood planning meeting, presentations outlined prospective buyers’ plans for use of the property. Others included a self-storage facility and a flea market, and the Army presented its plan. For the first time in meetings before local planning groups, The Salvation Army received a standing ovation. Its offer on the property was accepted. During property investigation, several community leaders were approached to serve on the advisory council committees. The advisory committee, with Joan’s personal attorney, Rob Durham, met on a monthly basis, and were instrumental in selecting the architect, contractors, developing operating budgets, writing job descriptions and recruiting staff.

Joan said she wanted a center that would allow young people to build self-confidence through sports, the arts, or education. She wanted to see competition facilities for ice skating and swimming, as well as a performing arts center and a library.

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A drawing of the first Kroc Center in San Diego, Calif.

Several architectural firms presented proposals for the design of the center before Austin Veum Robbins Partners was selected due to its excellent record in thinking outside the box and successful creative planning. The firm would later receive an Orchid Award for the design of the Kroc Center. Roel Construction Company of San Diego was chosen as the contractor due to its successful record of on time and within budget large projects. With 30 schools located within a three-mile radius of the site, Dr. Stephen L. Weber, president of San Diego State University, agreed to serve as chair of a committee of the school principals to provide feedback on what would be helpful to the students and staff of these schools. The state university had just closed its competition swimming pools, so it was a natural transition to the Kroc Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new swimming area. In addition, the university hockey team had traveled 30 miles to practice in the early hours of the morning; it was a natural transition to the new professional size hockey ice arena. Students most desired an indoor skateboard park, which was designed to be mobile so that the same area could be used for the large San Diego County Christmas distribution, where as many as 30,000 individuals receive food and toys each Christmas. San Diego Opera Executive Director Ian Campbell agreed to serve as the chair of the arts providers, a committee instrumental in helping to design the performing arts auditorium and classrooms, as well as outlining the classes and instruction to provide. Then Director of the School of Social Work at San Diego State University, Dr. Anita Harbert, chaired a committee of the principal social work providers in East San Diego to determine what type of services were most needed and not provided in the area. The committee made a con-

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certed effort to avoid duplication of services or facilities.

Joan asked the Army to submit community center proposals for as many as 20 additional sites around the country.

An example of giving With everything in place, we asked Joan if she would be willing to participate in a public announcement of the gift. She was not one who wanted attention and rarely acknowledged her gifts, including the time she visited a flood ravaged part of the Midwest and made a financial gift to every member of the community to help people get back on their feet. Joan never told anyone who she was, but someone noticed the call letters on her private jet and determined its owner. It was around that time that she became known as the stealth philanthropist. Joan agreed to speak at the dedication of the San Diego Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, she said to acknowledge those who inspired her toward this project and to be an example to others with means to use their assets in a similar way. At the dedication of the building by General John Gowans in 2002, Joan again expressed appreciation to the Army and others involved in the conception and development of the project and challenged those with means to get involved in the lives of others by sharing their assets. During the course of the San Diego project, Joan asked the Army to submit community center proposals for as many as 20 additional sites around the country. Little did we know, soon after she would leave the balance of her

estate, after some specific bequests, to develop 27 centers in all four U.S. territories. She left quite a message and challenge for charitable giving today. A deep compassion I personally enjoyed my calls from Joan. On one occasion, hearing the news of an African American man being dragged behind a truck and killed in Jasper, Texas, she called and asked how one could help the family in such devastating circumstances. I told her that as a Salvation Army officer the best thing I could do was to be there for the family, and that is exactly what she did. Joan called her personal assistant and her pilot and flew to Texas to be with the family. She asked what she could do to help; they replied that they were a Christian family and that their sufficiency was found in Christ as their saviour. Joan discovered that several members of the family were in the military and had to take leave time and pay for travel expenses to attend the funeral; she arranged to cover all of those expenses. Joan also discovered through talking to the family that the widow had a very old truck; she called it her fishing truck. Joan bought her a brand new truck. As was her style, Joan never told the family who she was or where she was from, just that she wanted to be there and help in any way she could. She simply and truly cared for those who found themselves in difficult situations. On another occasion, Joan called me late one evening and asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Don, did you know that there were poor people in Mississippi?â&#x20AC;? By this time I had come to realize that Joan never asked a question without a purpose. When I responded in the affirmative, she told me that she had heard so and decided to check it out for herself. Once again, a call to her personal assistant and pilot and they were off to Mississippi on a fact finding mission. Joan later said that she found a motorcycle policeman who agreed to show them around, and was pleased to report that she found some great parts of Mississippi, but noted that there was a significant lack of support facilities in Biloxi. She wanted me to call The Salvation Army representatives there to ask for a proposal for a swimming pool and center. In September 2011, a Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center opened in that community. Joan was deeply compassionate, and deeply concerned with the welfare and success of others. Her legacy is that of a deep sense Commissioner of caring and generosity, an example Don Bell is the territorial to each of us, regardless of the size of commander of the our ability to give. w New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory, and former chief secretary of the USA Western Territory.

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‘Book and Cook’ Interdisciplinary learning at the Kroc By Amber Rose

What do you get when you combine Curious George, a bowl of fresh strawberries and 15 first and second graders? Book and Cook. This after-school program at the Kroc Center in Dayton, Ohio, uses reading and food as a means to help children learn important childhood development skills like comprehension, teamwork, writing, vocabulary, measurements, sharing and kinesthetics—where children learn by doing, rather than listening to a lecture or watching a demonstration. The entire experience is meant to teach a variety of skills in a fun atmosphere. Through the use of sequencing (retelling a story), kids become better readers and can be successful in the classroom. Here’s how it works: the children are read a Amber Rose story like Curious George Makes Pancakes. Afis the director ter a bit of discussion, the children are asked of education at the Dayton, to recreate the story with a partner by putting Ohio, Kroc “story clips” in order. A teacher then checks Center. their work, the story is glued down and the children add their own artwork to illustrate it. In small groups, the children are given tasks related to the making of pancakes—some will measure, some will cut up strawberries, some will stir, and so on. When the pancakes have been cooked, the children get to eat their creations and are assigned cleanup tasks. In addition to the cross-training taking place in Book and Cook, the kids are so proud to eat what they’ve created—it gives them a taste of success which they may not always experience in school. The program’s popularity led to including older students as well, who have read about Easter Island and made monolithic Moai from Rice Krispies; delved into the laws of King Hammurabi while making hummus; and, in coming weeks will Connect with Amber try their hand at sushi while website: dayton.salarmykroc.org learning about Japanese culture. facebook: on.fb.me/hvisUo In the past two years, more address: 1000 N. Keowee than 60 different books have Dayton, OH 45404 been covered by Book and Cook classes. w Photos by Amber Rose Beth Stebner

Top to Bottom: Each week, children listen to a new story, collaborate to ensure the story is in the right order, and eat story-related food. 22

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Aloha, Kroc

A treasure of the Hawaiian islands

By Christin Davis

Somewhere over the rainbow, in the unincorporated and developing community of Kapolei, Hawaii, a $133 million Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps and Community Center now stands. “My grandmother wanted every child, no matter his or her economic background to enjoy a more luxurious place than they ever imagined,” said Amy Ragen, granddaughter of Joan Kroc and representative of the Kroc family at the Hawaii Kroc Center dedication, which 3,000 people attended in January. “This place is beyond her wildest expectations.” In 2003, Kroc, widow of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, left a $1.5 billion bequest to The Salvation Army to build community centers around the country. “Before Joan’s dream, The Salvation Army was very much a minimalist organization,” said Commissioner James Knaggs, Western territorial commander. “Her dream has lifted our heads up. She’s shown us what we can do better, for God, with magnificence.” The Hawaii Kroc Center received a $110 million combined capital and endowment grant from Kroc’s donation and the community raised nearly $23 million locally—a condition of the grant. It is one of 27 centers

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in the nation. The Hawaii Kroc Center includes the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Education and Resource Center with conference and banquet rooms for 720 guests; the Mary D. and Walter F. Frear Early Education Center for 120 preschool students; the 500-seat Jack and Marie Lord Worship and Performing Arts Center; the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Center with an NCAA-regulation gymnasium; the First Hawaiian Hale 48-bed dormitory for traveling teams and overnight conferences; a

Christin Davis is the managing editor of New Frontier Publications.

state-of-the-art health and wellness center with workout equipment and facilities for individual and group fitness; an aquatics center featuring a competition pool and a recreation pool with giant water slides; and a 3-acre multipurpose field

Colonel Dave Hudson, Amy Ragen, Commissioner James Knaggs, Kahu Kordell Kekoa, and Commissioner Carolyn Knaggs are among those who cut the garland to open Hawaii’s Kroc Center.

“This Kroc Center is a treasure of the Hawaiian islands... put an ‘x’ on the map.”

for outdoor programs. tural land, totaling $1.5 million for 15 acres. “This Kroc Center is This process began just after Colonel Dave Hudson, cura treasure of the Hawai- rently chief secretary in the West, was appointed Hawaiian ian islands,” Knaggs and Pacific Islands divisional commander in mid-2004. With –Commissioner James Knaggs said. “You can now put Phil Russell, a National Advisory Board member from Haan ‘x’ on the map.” waii and president of GMR real estate services, the pair visited Just over 20 miles businesspeople and politicians to ask for support. from Honolulu, the area was once nothing but sugarcane Don Horner, then CEO of the First Hawaiian Bank and fields. Today the “second city,” after Honolulu, is growing. As chairman of the Hawaii Business Roundtable—a statewide of 2011, Kapolei has a population of nearly 35,000 people, public policy organization comprised of the CEOs and seup 38 percent from 2000. An elevated rapid transit line to nior executives of companies headquartered or maintaining connect Kapolei with downtown Honolulu and Honolulu significant operations in Hawaii, became involved and later International Airport was approved by voters and a ground- agreed to spearhead fundraising $23 million. Horner spent breaking ceremony was held in February 2011. At least 1,600 the years that followed ensuring every detail of the project single-family units plus low-income rentals are slated for con- stayed on track as the chairperson of the steering committee, struction; 400 housing units were recently completed. and received The Salvation Army Others Award in 2012 for “We used the Kroc Center commitment as leverage for his efforts. other projects [in Kapolei] and drew distance rings in the Murray Bawden, chairman of HSW Enterprises, chaired planning process with the Kroc Center as the ‘piko’—the bel- the construction committee that oversaw work by Hawaii ly button—of the community,” said Micah Kane, previously Dredging Construction Company. Group 70 International the director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands led the center’s design. (DHHL) and currently a trustee with Kamehemehe Schools. “With this opening, The Salvation Army is launching a “In Hawaii, land is very precious,” said Major Phil Lum, friendly invasion of West Oahu, bringing hope, inclusion and Kroc Center Hawaii administrator and corps officer with his light,” said Major Edward Hill, Hawaiian and Pacific Islands wife, Captain Debbie Lum. The department was supportive divisional commander. The Army began in Hawaii in 1894, of the community center idea, but as a state entity could not and now has 10 corps (churches) in the state plus a number donate the land. The Army approached the state legislature, of social services programs. which eventually passed a bill that allowed the state to sell up As of late April, the Kroc Corps expanded to two Sunday to 15 acres to a nonprofit organization to build a community services and the center had over 6,800 registered members. center. “We are in a dream come true—we can sit “It passed unanimously when such in it, can swim in it, can play basketball in Connect with Christin a thing would normally be very controit,” Knaggs said. “Other dreams are going to website: caringmagazine.org versial,” Kane said of the vote in both come true because of this center.” w facebook.com/caringmagazine houses of state government. The Army twitter @caringmagazine paid full market value for the agriculemail: christin.davis@usw. salvationarmy.org

Photos by Christin Davis Aerial photo by Ed Gross SUMMER 2012/CARING

“Her generous giving to the Army came unsolicited...”

My friendship with Joan Kroc 26

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A gift to The Salvation Army By Linda Bond

had a real sense of loss when Joan Kroc passed away. I was unsure of why this was so, since I had only known her for a short time. She is generally known for her wealth and incredible generosity, but in fact, her generosity was not confined to money or shares. I found her to be a giving person in more ways than one, an excellent musician who blessed us with music, a warm friend who appreciated hearing our life’s story, a knowledgeable woman who took time to learn from others, a concerned citizen that hated war and longed for peace. I felt I had lost a friend. I first met her on the Martin Luther King Jr., holiday. Then Chief Secretary Colonel Don Bell and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries Colonel Debi Bell arranged for me to go to her summer home to meet her. Then divisional leaders Majors Doug and Diane O’Brien accompanied us. What impressed me was not the magnificence of her home or her own beauty, but her personal interest in people. She was taken with the fact that I had come from a miner’s family, was the last of 13 children and was giving leadership as a woman in the United States West. The fact that I appreciated her dogs

was a delight to her because she loved her animals. She insisted I needed a dog. My colleagues had to dissuade her since my traveling schedule made it impossible. Lo and behold if I

didn’t receive a stuffed bear in the mail as a stand-in until I got my dog in retirement! Her generous giving to the Army came unsolicited as she supported the Kroc Center in San Diego and the Army’s work in the West. In her giving, she was visionary, seeing the importance of developing youth and serving the community with quality facilities and long term goals. She appreciated the Army’s spiritual ministry and was delighted that after the opening of the Performing Arts Center (part of the complex in San Diego) by Tony Bennett, we had a divisional meeting the following day and dedicated the center to the Lord. Later, while on holiday in Canada, I was contacted by Mrs. Kroc’s executive secretary. She shared confidential news with me that Joan Kroc had been diagnosed with cancer and was terminally ill. What a shock! When I phoned Joan she was very

calm and asked if I would speak at her memorial service. Her illness was to be kept confidential. When I returned home I was invited to her birthday celebration and some very well connected people were there. Before leaving, Mrs. Kroc jokingly talked to me in front of her friends about what we would do if she left us her home. We had a humorous exchange about it. Little did I know that not only would she leave us the home but something far more substantial. While speaking at the officers’ retreat in the Cascade Division (USW), I received a phone call to say that Joan Kroc’s lawyer was urgently trying to contact me. When he reached me, it was a request to travel the next day to San Diego to meet with him and Mrs. Kroc’s two trustees. The divisional commander, then Major Ken Hodder, agreed to reorganize our schedule to make it possible for me to take an early morning flight and then

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return that evening. I was met at the airport by the lawyer. The ciation with us. She was destination was the boardroom of the office building of Joan so impressed with the I was amazed at Kroc. Lunch was ordered in and arrived in styrofoam contain- leadership of Majors Tim ers, a real contrast to the news I was about to receive. Mrs. and Cindy Foley at the Joan Kroc’s faith Kroc’s lawyer said something like, “I guess you want to know San Diego Kroc Center in the Army. She why you have been asked to come so quickly.” He slid a por- and supported them not tion of Mrs. Kroc’s will across the table and said that in essence only in her giving but in believed we were she had left The Salvation Army $1.5 billion for the building her visits there. They and many others convinced of Kroc Centers across the country. I lost my appetite. people of integrity The trustees and the lawyer were delighted that Joan Kroc her that she could trust through her assohad been so generous and had used her wealth so wisely. Ap- us with her money. Trustworthiness is a parently, she wanted me to be the first to know and to inform ciation with us. the leaders of the other territories. I first shared the news with quality that many people Commissioner Todd Bassett (then National Commander) and recognize in The Salvathen with the other leaders at the Commissioners’ Confer- tion Army. It is a term ence. We then, of course, had to decide whether to accept the that embraces our integrity, our motivation and gift. And as you know, the Commissioners’ Conference did. I did speak at the memorial service, as did President Jimmy our sacrificial service. Joan Kroc recognized it and honored Carter and Reverend Theodore Hesburgh, president emeritus us in the best way she knew how, by trusting us with a legacy of Notre Dame University. They spoke of her generosity to that would impact communities all around the U.S. The most Habitat for Humanity and the University. By then I knew of important thing is that we keep faith with the Lord, using her gift to the Army and it was beyond any of the figures oth- such resources for holistic ministry. By keeping faith with him, we will also keep faith with Joan Kroc and her ers mentioned. General Linda magnificent dreams. She was a gift of grace to I was amazed at Joan Kroc’s faith in the Army. She Bond is the interThe Salvation Army. w believed we were people of integrity through her assonational leader of The Salvation Army.

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“Joan Kroc once referred to the Kroc Centers as ‘mini United Nations,’ where children o f a l l c re e d s , c o l o r s , backgrounds, cultures, and faiths could coexist in peace, united by their commonalities rather than divided by their differences.”

The life of Joan Kroc

- Steve Bireley, Kroc Centers coordinator in the Western Territory.

1928-2003 Steadfast in her desire to help others and to promote peace, billionaire Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald's Corp. founder Ray Kroc, forged a legacy of giving. Joan Beverly Mansfield emerged from modest beginnings. Born Aug. 27, 1928, in St. Paul, Minn., her father worked for a railroad and her mother was an accomplished violinist. She was the older of two girls. By 15, Joan was teaching music, and worked as a professional musician and music teacher for many years. Although an early marriage in 1945 later ended in divorce, Joan was blessed by the birth of a daughter in 1946. She met Ray Kroc in 1957 in a St. Paul restaurant, where she was playing the organ. Just two years earlier, he had opened his first McDonald’s hamburger stand in Des Plaines, Ill. After marrying in 1969, the Krocs lived in Chicago until 1976, two years after Ray Kroc purchased the San Diego Padres baseball team, when they moved to San Diego. In 1984, Ray Kroc died at 81. Joan Kroc generously supported issues of social significance— locally, nationally and internationally—following her late husband’s credo to “give something back to the community.” Notably, her donations created Notre Dame's Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies in 1986 and the University of San Di-

ego's Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice in 2001. The Krocs were longtime supporters of The Salvation Army as Ray Kroc had volunteered as a bell ringer in the 1950s and 60s, and Joan grew up hearing her family talk about the work the Army did during the Great Depression. In 1998, she contributed more than $90 million to The Salvation Army for a 12.5-acre arts and recreation center in San Diego. It opened in 2002, named the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. In 1999, Joan was recognized by the National Advisory Board with an Evangeline Booth Award, and in 2002 received the Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service from General John Gowans. In October 2003, at the age of 75, Joan Kroc died at her home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., leaving behind her daughter, four granddaughters, four great-grandchildren, and her sister. In a demonstration of great trust in The Salvation Army as an organization and in its ministry to the total person, Kroc bequeathed to the Army her entire residuary estate, an amount in excess of $1.5 billion. The total bequest was to be divided equally among the Army’s four U.S. territories for the building of a total of 27 Kroc Centers across the U.S. w

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A changing role

Left: Lindsey and her mother Carol Russel. Above: Lindsey rides horses as part of her physical therapy.

Advisory Council member gives and receives with The Sal vation Army. Despite her injuries, Dierks remains on the South While on a road trip in South Dakota, a car accident left Lindsey Dierks with a traumatic brain injury. She Mountain Advisory Council, where she’s been for nine was in the ICU for six weeks, followed by two months years. She said the council has proven therapeutic, as in Burrows Neurological Institute and remains in a she continues to be an integral part in the transition wheelchair. Majors Guy and Denise Hawk, corps of- from South Mountain Community Center to South ficers of the South Mountain Kroc Center in Phoenix, Mountain Kroc Corps and Community Center. Dierks and members of the South Mountain community reg- said she feels fortunate to have been involved in the entire process. ularly visited Dierks as she recovered. “It's amazing to have such a wonderful place,” Di“A brain injury really opens the doors to depression and negative feelings,” Dierks said. “The Salvation erks said. “[The Kroc Center] will allow me and evArmy helped me to focus on positivity. I try eryone with The Salvation Army to help spread Photos by to make sure instead of saying the glass is goodness. I feel like it's part of me and my Ryan Eng half empty; it's half full and getting fuller.” heart.”w

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Youth Asset Development initiative A national effort with Search Institute

programming focused on positive youth development as an outcome of all programs, rather than merely delivering qualBy Carol Seiler and James Nauta ity programs. This significant evidence-based project will begin in Kroc Centers, but will be an important tool in docuIn November 2010, The Salvation Army launched a na- menting positive outcomes in service to youth and families tional Youth Asset Development (YAD) initiative in partner- throughout The Salvation Army. ship with Search Institute, authors of the 40 developmenResearch shows the more assets young people report havtal assets, which are cited as necessary building blocks for ing, the greater the likelihood they will thrive and the less healthy development of young people. The initiative, begin- likely they will be to make unhealthy, harmful choices. ning in Kroc Centers throughout the country, embodies Joan During the first phase of this initiative in 2011, Search Kroc’s emphasis on tapping youth potential by providing op- Institute conducted asset training in each of the four U.S. terportunities to nurture strengths for the betterment of others ritories. Following this, the Kroc Center staff began teachand the individual. ing the assets framework and preparing plans for adoption “The assets are developmental because they both arise of developmental assets beginning with the 2011 day camp from and help to positively affect young people’s physical, program. Kroc center youth, fourth through sixth-grade, atmental, moral, psychological, social, and emotional growth tending day camps were surveyed using the Search Institute’s over time, that is, they are intimately connected to young Developmental Assets and Life Experience Profile (DALEP). people’s human development,” said Dr. Peter Scales, a scienThis tool, customized for the Army, was comprised of tist who works closely with The Salvation Army. demographic questions, the institute’s “Together, the developmental assets and develhighly reliable Developmental Assets ProCommissioner Carol opmental outcome measures offer a multifaceted file (DAP) adapted for this age group, and Seiler is the Central territorial coordinator for perspective on how well Kroc Centers are creatadditional measures of five key outcomes strategic mission planning ing the relationships and opportunities young identified by the Army, which include: and the chairperson of people need to be healthy, responsible, caring, school success, hopeful purpose, positive the National Kroc and productive.” emotions, citizenship/civic engagement Task Force. The Army is keenly aware of the magnitude and avoiding violence. Lt. Colonel James Nauta, in retirement, is of Joan Kroc’s gift, and of the responsibility for The survey—which showed good scienthe Central territorial Kroc wise use of the gift for Kroc Centers. This initiatific quality and accurate data (see table)— project specialist. tive is viewed as an early step in accountability for was a first step in using data from youth to Photos courtesy of the Central Territory 32

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improve Kroc Center programming. It provided a one-time snapshot of how youth are or are not experiencing key developmental assets and outcomes. In 2012, 12 Kroc Centers nationwide will participate in on-site multi-generational data-guided planning and training events with stakeholders, facilitated by senior Search Institute consultants, using the experience and data stemming from the first phase of the YAD initiative. In Quincy, Ill.—one of the 12 Kroc Centers—the staff have enthusiastically embraced integrating developmental assets into every aspect of mission and ministry. Recently, Kroc Center officers participated in a local school assembly where they met a young boy and his mother. Along with other students and parents, they were invited to a Christmas program at the Kroc Center. One of the senior soldiers then invited this boy to Cub Scouts and later he and his family were invited to worship services at the Kroc Center. Officers, soldiers and staff have intentionally used development assets with this young first grader—getting to know his name and he theirs. Developmental assets integrated with Army mission are truly making a difference in the lives of young people. w

The percentage of Kroc Center youth with developmental outcomes and other key strengths: wSchool Success:

59% 77% 94% 77% wCivic Engagement: 26% Environmental stewardship 42% Anticipated political involvement 50% Community problem-solving confidence 39% Weekly volunteering 32% wAvoids Violence: 26% Not a perpetrator of violence 44% Not a victim of violence 47% wHopeful purpose: 55% wPositive emotions: 64% wOther Key Strengths: 59% Reads for pleasure 39% Comfort expressing voice 39% GPA ≥ 3.5 (B+) Achievement motivation School engagement

Spends time in high quality Kroc Center programs

In gratitude By James Nauta, Lt. Colonel

Commissioner Carol Seiler,

chairperson of the national Kroc coordinators’ task force, territorial and president of women’s ministries and territorial coordinator for strategic mission planning in the USA Central Territory, has led the way for the nation’s Kroc Centers. Keenly aware of the magnitude of Joan Kroc’s gift and the responsibility for wise use of the gift, Seiler developed national operating standards as an early step in accountability for programming at Kroc Centers, which are in the process of being implemented. Seiler challenged the Army to launch this National Youth Asset Development initiative for the healthy development of young people. Her leadership also led to a national demonstration model to address widespread childhood obesity, Kroc Fit Kids. Seiler models something of the beauty and caring of Jesus himself, in whose name we provide service. Thank you for your leadership. w

49%

Source: DALEP Aggregate Report, October 2011

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Press On Positive youth development in one unique strategy By Patti Davenport

PinElise’s family had never been able to afford many extra activities, and transportation often posed significant challenges. That changed when her seventh-grade counselor invited her to participate in a new program at The Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene—Press On, a multifaceted Patti Davenport and holistic approach to increasing is the education student capacity to thrive, based on coordinator at the Coeur d’Alene, the Search Institute’s 40 developIdaho, Kroc mental assets framework. Center. Every day after school, the counselor explained, Elise could take a free bus to the Kroc Center to do homework, play games or take swimming lessons until her mom picked her up after work. Elise would be paired with an adult mentor and could try a variety of new things. Without seeing the Kroc Center, she and her family signed up. Students in the program participate in five core requirements: a mentoring relationship with a Christian adult, activity-based leadership and life skills development, academic enrichment, Bible study, and play. Kroc Center employees also build intentional, quality rela-

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tionships with the parents. Each student can enroll in at least two different programs offered at the Kroc Center, including guitar and photography classes, golf, fencing and break-dancing. Whatever the specifics, the mission is unchanging and students are exposed to a high number of developmental assets. Press On students, including Elise, recently volunteered in a local elementary after-school program. Elise said, “That was awesome! Maybe I can be a mentor like Amy [her mentor] for girls like that someday soon.” The concept of service wasn’t lost on Elise that day. The Kroc Center is uniquely positioned to embrace the multitudes and to equip workers to love and to serve. I don’t know if Elise knew Jesus before, but I do know that when she arConnect with the Kroc rives here she is greeted by website: kroccda.org people excited to see her, facebook.com/kroccda interested in knowing her twitter @kroccda better and eager to share address: 1765 W. Golf Course Road Christ with her. w Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815

The first 30 days

Above: Mascot RJ Kroc greets guests at a Kroc Superstar birthday partyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one of 18 during the centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first weekend.

Adapting, responding, and learning By Meg Sauer

he grand opening in January 2012 was spectacular. All of the hours of hard work and last minute preparations paid off. We were abundantly blessed with people interested in what we were trying to do. It was harvest time, and we could breathe again. Or could we? On our first full day, new members came in droves. It was beyond our wildest dreams. Just a week prior, we had been concerned about membership. Major Bob Webster, senior Kroc officer for the South Bend Kroc Center, was astounded by the turn out as he greeted people, answered questions about

the center and explained membership perks. It was exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. After school, the doors would swing open, and stay that way until we politely asked people to leave at closing. One night, one of our own hit the floor with a grand mal seizure. Five members of the leadership team were there in an instant. The 37-year-old single mom, normally a ball of energy, taking charge of every conceivMeg Sauer is the able situation, was now shaking marketing manager of out of control, and then lifeless. the South Bend Kroc Center in Indiana.

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Thankfully, she suffered no permanent damage. Later she joked she was just testing our emergency management system. She did, and it works. After a week of rest, she was back on the job. But we had a wake up call to slow down, always look out for each other, and breathe. Each day was a surprise, each family a gift. Would things ever slow down? The smiles and positive energy would lift us to another level, take us over another hurdle, and help us find a new solution. It was the staff that bought into the mission and worked tirelessly—whatever needed to be done was done well. But we had underestimated the growth of membership. We needed more staff, and we needed them now. Just 10 days after opening the doors to our $36 million, 110,000-square-foot building, there was talk of expansion. The fitness desk needed to move to help the flow of traffic, we didn’t build enough locker rooms and we needed more workout space.

We had a hunch that our Zumba exercise class would be a hit, but the class size kept outgrowing the classroom. When over 200 came more than four times a week to shake, sweat and samba, all in unison, we finally moved the evening classes to our largest, expandable conference room, and eventually the Kroc chapel. The stage, cameras, and state of the art sound system were perfect for the Zumba instructors. The Latin beat brought them Connect with the Kroc all—young and old, website: mykroc.org facebook.com/southbendkroc large and small, white, twitter @southbendkroc black and Latino. address: 900 West Western Ave. In South Bend, South Bend, IN 46601 we’re all moving in the same direction, with the same syncopation, Photos by Ross Van Overberghe and Heather mission and faith. w Gollatz-Dokeman

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A united vision Connecting the corps community center as one entity By JoAnn Shade

General Linda Bond’s vision is for The Salvation Army to have one message, one mission, and one movement. It is key to examine how the community center and church can interact as a united entity. It’s not the corps and the Kroc Center, or The Salvation Army and the Kroc Center; it’s all one. We start by looking at our name, Major JoAnn that long mouthful of The Salvation Shade, D.Min., Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Comis the co-director munity Center. Yes, we are one corps and corps officer, community center, not corps and with her husband, community center. Like CommissionLawrence, of the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps er Andy Miller once visualized, as he Community Center in raised first one hand (spiritual) and Ashland, Ohio. then his other hand (social) over his head, finally clasping his two hands together to show that we’re all one. Given the variety of programming at the Kroc Centers, we may look like an octopus raising its arms, but perhaps the octopus is the perfect illustration—many arms extending from one body—yet all connected to that central, circular hub. And yes, we do have a central hub. That hub is Jesus. A second lesson we’ve learned over the years is that the physical space that comprises a corps community center matters. When it came time to design the Kroc Center in Ashland, I was insistent on having a lot of light in the building and one door—a main entrance to the facility. Yes, there are a number of exits, but our intention is that everyone who comes to the Ashland Kroc Center will come in through the front door, with the chapel straight in front of them and with The Salvation Army shield front and center in the terrazzo floor. We want to be able to see and greet them, and to expand their concept of The Salvation Army Kroc Center beyond that of the site for their family reunion or soccer practice. At the Kroc Centers, we offer the opportunity for people to find support for their lives in the physical,

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intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual senses. We even throw in enjoyable food, beautiful surroundings, appreciation for the arts and a good laugh from time to time. We no longer think of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as a pyramid; instead, we’ve placed them in a circle, with, again, the center being Christ. Our goal for all who enter the center is to consider what it means to be healthy, whole and holy. Call it a corps, call it a center, call it a church, call it the Army—we can’t stress too much over the name. The same door is open for everyone, and there’s light and hope inside. And whether the presenting need is for shelter or soccer, once they’re through the door, the welcoming presence of people who love Jesus Connect with the Kroc website: ashland.salarmykroc.org and who are walking facebook.com/ashlandkroccenter toward God together, twitter @AshlandKroc can point to the cross of address: 527 East Liberty Street, Christ. w Ashland, OH 44805

“Going into people’s homes as a [mission specialist] has been one of the most enriching parts of this ministry.”

Tillie Enriquez (right) leads a brown bag lunch Bible Study in RJs Cafe.

Elda Perez shares a Bible lesson in the Kroc teen lounge.

Specializing in mission Outreach with care By Brett Meredith

Salvation Army Mission Specialists (SAMS) are a vital part of the landscape in Kerrville, Texas, where they have helped the community directly connect to The Salvation Army over the past five years. “We are able to meet needs with the bread and food we take, and we Captain Brett Meredith is the pray with people; to help them find administrator a spiritual connection,” said Tillie of the Kerrville, Enriquez, a SAMS in Kerrville. Texas, Kroc SAMS aim to outreach and evanCenter. gelize to those without the love or light of God. In Kerrville, specialPhotos by ists visit homes to deliver food, enKristie Miksch couragement, care and prayer, con-

duct open-air meetings at apartment complexes, lead backyard Sunday schools, and help the Army spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. When something important is happening at the Kerrville Kroc Center, the SAMS are one of the most effective ways of getting the word to the community because they have grown a bond of trust and care with people. “I have done missionary work most of my life,” Enriquez said. “Going Connect with the Kroc into people’s homes as a website: kerrvillekroc.org worker has been one of facebook.com/KerrvilleKroc the most enriching parts address: 201 Holdsworth Dr. of this ministry.” w Kerrville, TX 78028

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William Booth A tribute to the Founder at the centennial of his death. By Diane Winston

“Do something!”

William Booth told his son Bramwell in the apocryphal story of the night when the Salvationist leader saw homeless men huddled under the London Bridge. Booth was a man of action whose desire to save souls was spelled out in deeds rather than theological tomes. But in this centennial of Booth’s passing, the Founder’s beliefs are worth rehearsing as a way to reflect on his significance not only for the 20th century but for the 21st as well. Booth was steeped in the holiness movement of the time. That meant he believed in sanctification, a second baptism that Christians hoped would enable them to overcome evil, work for good and help bring about the Second Coming. Booth expected that the redemptive work of his Salvation Army would bring about the Kingdom of God in his lifetime. Likewise, Booth was convinced that the secular could be sacred. He urged his soldiers to preach in taverns and to use popular tunes for their hymns. He encouraged them to

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Booth’s legacy is first and foremost his Army that, in its early years, was peopled by religious radicals, youthful idealists, ardent evangelicals and even socialists. Booth commanded them to “attract attention” but today’s 1.1 million member worldwide Army rarely does. For Americans in 2012, the Army remains hidden in plain sight.

freely borrow from secular culture not only as a means to attract sinners but also to demonstrate that all of the world could be hallowed. This drove pious Christians crazy. They ranted against the Army’s appropriation of popular entertainment. They feared the movement was both corrupt and corrupting. But Booth trusted that his Army was corporately called to do God’s work and that institutions as well as individuals could be sanctified. The Army was in the world but not of it, set apart by its garb, its service and its regulated community. The template for godliness was the Army field book of Orders and Regulations, which spelled out all aspects of Salvationist life, enabling Booth’s followers to maintain a sanctified life in a yet-to be redeemed world. Following Jesus’ example, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that you do to me also,” Booth instructed followers to work in the public sphere. Jesus called on the faithful to redeem public life. Salvationists sought to effect this redemption with soup, soap and salvation. Soup, the first step, meant addressing material needs. Booth reminds us that the most basic expression of faith in public life is taking care of one another—feeding, nursing, sheltering and sustaining physical beings that are made in God’s image. If this seems axiomatic, then recall that in Booth’s day, there were no food stamps and very few soup kitchens. Homeless shelters were practically nonexistent, neither were there many programs for job training. The poor were not welcome in most churches, and society had no concept of a social safety net. Booth was not alone in advocating church involvement in social welfare work. A growing number of religious folks on both sides of the Atlantic were ex-

perimenting with how best to deliver services. One ongoing debate was whether food and clothing should be given out at missions or churches, or if the poor should be institutionalized and receive aid in a place like an orphanage or almshouse that concretized their outcast status. That was not Booth’s way. The poor were the heart of his mission, and his own experience had shown him that poverty could be overcome with the right application of material aid and divine blessing. The majority of Booth’s fellow Christians assumed that the poor were responsible for their plight, and that their deepest desire was to live off the dole. Accordingly, the Army’s program, which offered help to all those who asked, seemed alarmingly naive. Yet if offering soup seemed ingenuous, providing soap was excessive. Soap in this usage is recognition of human dignity that goes beyond providing basic services. Soap is not a material necessity; rather it signifies recognition of another’s intrinsic value. During Booth’s time, charity organizations were obsessed with evaluating the poor. Their aim was to separate the undeserving from the deserving poor. “Scientific” reformers worried more about supporting scam artists and “pauperizing” recipients—that is creating a permanent underclass supported by indiscriminate charity—than relieving suffering. Accordingly, charitable societies kept busy determining who was truly needy. The Army refused to engage in this process. Instead it helped anyone who asked. But Salvationists expected something in return. If someone wanted a meal or bed and could not afford to pay, they were invited to work for their keep. According to their

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motto, “if a man is willing to work, he is worthy of being theology. For many Americans, Booth’s legacy, particularly his helped.” Of course, the Army was not content just to help the understanding of the role of religion in shaping public physical man or woman. Its ultimate aim was saving his life, might be a welcome message. Booth believed it was or her soul. William Booth never lost sight of his mis- incumbent upon believers to participate in public life— sion—without eternal salvation the earthly relief was a after all, it was their responsibility to usher in the Second fleeting redress. That’s why religion was central to public Coming. But it’s important to remember what he wanted life. For a post-millennialist like Booth, there was no sep- his followers to do. Booth didn’t want his soldiers to debate policy, taunt aration between sacred and secular. Booth’s faith shaped his understanding of public life so completely that he opponents, lobby officials or pursue electoral politics. He wanted Christians who were willing to do the unsung could not see a seam distinguishing the two. Booth’s legacy is first and foremost his Army that, in work of caring for others. Booth believed in a daily comits early years, was peopled by religious radicals, youth- mitment to eradicating injustice, inequality and poverty. Because he sought a perfected world, a world ready to ful idealists, ardent evangelicals and even socialists. welcome Jesus, Booth taught that faith Booth commanded them to “attract attention” should be enacted in the public sphere. but today’s 1.1 million member worldwide Dr. Diane Winston is the Knight Chair in Media and Regardless of whether or not AmeriArmy rarely does. For Americans in 2012, the Religion at the University cans accept his particular theology, Army remains hidden in plain sight. It’s seen of Southern California Ansurely we can see the merit of believing at Christmas when shoppers slip coins in the nenberg School for Comthat our human efforts can bring about kettle, but most are unaware of the Army’s munication and Journalism, positive change. w evangelical identity, much less its holistic and the author of Red Hot & Righteous: The Urban Religion of The Salvation Army.

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Farewell to the Founder By Loreen Hamilton Salvationists throughout the world have heard story after story of the life of their Founder, General William Booth. His passion, powerful speaking and vision to see the world won for God was revolutionary in his time. But one area rarely discussed—if ever—is the incredible events leading up to his death and the ways in which he was honored after his promotion to Glory. In his book Farewell to the Founder, R.G. Moyles compiles quotes, stories, newspaper clippings and articles to form a detailed picture of the grief—and the celebration—that followed Booth’s promotion to Glory. Whatever an individual’s opinion of the Founder may be, it is hard to deny his mark on his home country of England and eventually the rest of the world. Quotes from Christian and secular publications alike made known that he left an indelible legacy for generations to come. “That the world is a million times better that General Booth lived no one will deny and the human being was not living, who did not drop a tear of regret, on hearing of

his death,” wrote the Seattle Republican. “He was without religious creed or doctrine, but was full and overflowing with the love of God and right and justice toward his fellow man, and that was worth more than all of the creeds and isms ascribed to Christianity.” Thoughtfully woven together into chapters highlighting success, praise and some defeat, the book is an easy and quick read, but informative and full of insight into Army history. The death of the first General changed the face of The Salvation Army as the young organization was turned over to Booth’s son, Bramwell. This fact and others surrounding the future of The Salvation Army are discussed in the final chapter, which explores people’s curiosity of what the organization would look like in the future. Booth’s legacy is as wide and varied as the numerous people who have written and spoken about it, but there is no question that a legacy was, indeed, left behind and will not be forgotten with the help of this book. As the South African News wrote following Booth’s death, “As an achievement, the Army is a miracle wrought in an age of materialism, of so outstanding and so striking a nature that, even if it ceased tomorrow, the name of the man who worked it must endure.” w Lt. Loreen Hamilton is a field training officer at the Crestmont College for Officer Training in the USA Western Territory.

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TO VIEW Nefarious: Merchant of Souls is a hard-hitting

IN PRINT

EMPTY PROMISES: The Truth About You, Your Desires, and the Lies You’re Believing by Pete Wilson (Thomas Nelson, 2012) Explains how to discover the joy and freedom that comes with seeking God. Learn how to break free of the endless pursuit to feel worth and acceptance, and start chasing the only promise that will ever satisfy.

MY NAME IS HOPE: Anxiety, depression and life after melancholy

by John Mark Comer (Graphe Publishing, 2012). Staggering numbers of modern Americans fight anxiety and depression. In 2010, there were 253 million prescriptions for antidepressants in the U.S.—a nation of 311 million people. This is a personal story, and a ruthlessly authentic and scripturally authoritative account of prophets and poets, mothers and fathers, and even a Messiah who all came up against anxiety and depression.

MESSY: God Likes it That Way by A.J. Swoboda (Kregel Publications, 2012). Pastor Swoboda offers biblical insight and vivid, personal stories to help redefine faith. Both annoyingly honest and refreshingly humorous, Messy reassures Christians that God can reveal himself in their clutter and imperfection. Watch a promo for the book at http://youtu.be/ LoTp1mLbqK8.

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THE THEOLOGY OF FOOD: Eating and the Eucharist by Angel F. MéndezMontoya. (WileyBlackwell, 2012) Drawing on literature, politics, and philosophy as well as theology, this book unlocks the role food has played within religious tradition.

THE MESSAGE SOLO DEVOTIONS FOR NEW BELIEVERS: An Uncommon Devotional

(Salvo Publishing, 2011) is an inspirational resource containing hundreds of songpoems that can be used for both public worship and personal devotions.

documentary that exposes the disturbing trends in modern sex slavery, directed by Benjamin Nolot. From initial recruitment to victim liberation, the previously veiled underworld of sex slavery is uncovered in this groundbreaking tell-all. The documentary team is conducting a UK tour from June 23-July 14 to raise awareness about human trafficking before the 2012 Olympics. Watch the trailer at nefariousdocumentary. com. Bully is a powerful documentary about bullying in U.S. schools, directed by Lee Hirsch. The film follows the lives of five students who face bullying on a daily basis. “These heartbreaking stories of victimization, perseverance and adult cluelessness bring a necessary human face to an experience all too often banished to the realm of statistics or hazy ‘kids will be kids’ denial,” writes Ann Hornaday, film critic for The Washington Post. Watch the trailer at thebullyproject. com.

ON THE WEB

caringmagazine.org ANNOUNCING...the CARING WEBSITE! That’s right, we’re live online with articles from recent issues, links to archived issues, and a way to subscribe via PayPal. Come visit and take a look around!

salvationarmy.org - The Salvation Army’s international website was revamped and relaunched with a more contemporary design and easier-to-find content. David Giles, webmaster at International Headquarters, said within two hours of its launch the new site had received visitors from 57 countries. myjailbird.com - A new private, social network connects family and friends of incarcerated men and women and enables an online support community to maintain closer relationships and help reduce recidivism. Members create an online support page; invite friends; post updates; coordinate visits; and send cards and books to inmates.