Providing heart and soul in the middle of the Tenderloin
The Salvation Army has had a presence in the Tenderloin since 1886, after first arriving in San Francisco in 1883. The faith-based non-profit has served the community with various housing and social services programming but in 2008, it dramatically extended its footprint and capacity to serve this inner-city neighborhood by opening The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center and Railton Place. This much-needed safe haven for families and children was made possible in part through a nationwide $1.5 billion grant from Joan Kroc.
The 135,000-square-foot joint facility redefines community spaces in San Francisco and hosts an array of educational, sports, faith, and supportive programs for youth, their families, and seniors. The Railton Place, a six-floor housing program, offers 110 units of single-resident apartments for permanent supportive and transitional housing. Together the community center and housing work together to bring transformation and sustainable support to the community.
A fulfillment of Joan Kroc’s vision, the Kroc Center in San Francisco, is a multi-purpose center comprised of a worship center, and a fitness center, with more than 50 pieces of cardio and strength equipment, the largest multi-purpose gym in the Tenderloin, a group fitness dance studio and community meeting rooms. Nearly 2000 people are served during community family events each year. This unprecedented place of gathering and enrichment has been designed to stimulate the mind, body, and spirit, provide hope, and transform the life of every member of the community.
The Kroc Center provides life-changing opportunities for youth and their families to realize their fullest potential. During the summer, the Center offers several weeks of exciting adventures throughout the Bay Area paired with academic-based enrichments to address learning loss. During the academic school year, the homework-first after school program promotes character building with youth sports and troops programs. The Kroc Center promotes family togetherness through monthly movie nights, family dinners that honor different cultures, and KrocVentures weekend hikes to promote wellness and exploration. The Kroc Center also offers wrap-around resources that assist with food insecurity, school supplies and backpacks, and seasonal enrichment.
Railton Place features onsite wrap-around services for residents, including case management, mental health counseling and life skills training. Through case management, residents have been able to receive resources and assistance with food, clothing, employment, and clothing needs. In addition, they experience community building through field trips and community events
From youth education programs to food assistance and transitional housing, The Salvation Army Kroc Center and Railton Place work with San Franciscans, corporate partners, and local nonprofit partners to assist the Tenderloin community. With your help, we can continue to help provide those in need with the things they need the most.
To learn more about the work we do in the community and how you can help please log onto krocsf.org.
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