ABOUT US – Hampton Roads Kroc Center

The Salvation Army Kroc Center of Hampton Roads:

A fulfillment of Mrs. Kroc’s Vision

In 2005 The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command began working with local government officials to ensure that The Kroc Center complemented the goals the city held for the community. To raise additional funds for this huge project, the late Joshua P. Darden and honorary campaign chair Frank Batten, Jr., spearheaded a fundraising campaign whose lead gifts and tenacity to garner support allowed The Salvation Army to begin construction of the project. We broke ground in July 2012 after raising $25 million locally, in addition to the $80 million granted from Mrs. Kroc’s bequest. On April 28th, 2014, the doors were opened to the general public. The Salvation Army Kroc Center of Hampton Roads is a fulfillment of Mrs. Kroc’s vision and provides an unprecedented opportunity for the community to do the most good.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Hampton Roads Area Command Vison

To have the Hampton Roads area be a place where people of all ages live in safe and sustainable communities in which differences are respected and people are empowered to learn, work and worship in freedom.

About the Hampton Roads Area Command

The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command serves south side Hampton Roads and its surrounding communities with programs and locations that serve families in need with emergency assistance, housing, substance abuse treatment, youth enrichment opportunities, spiritual care and emergency disaster services.

The Salvation Army began its work in the Hampton Roads area 110 years ago, after arriving in America from its official base in London. From the beginning, the Army created programs in Hampton Roads to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and provide counseling and support to those most in need of help. As these needs grew, so did the number of locations and variety of services available to the community.

The Hampton Roads Area Command was established in 2005.

Since then the Army has grown with many programs including the Adult Rehabilitation Center, H.O.P.E. Village Residential Program for shelterless women and women with children, Christmas Assistance programs, The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Emergency Shelters, Family Services, Disaster Assistance, Volunteer Outreach and more.

The Salvation Army is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

To contact the Area Command headquarters, write or call:

The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command
5525 Raby Road
Norfolk, VA 23502
Tel. (757) 543-8100
Fax. (757) 543-9206

“We can help bring our city together by declaring our love to all of its children and showing them the faith we have in their future.”

—Joan Kroc, 1998

The Kroc Centers started with one woman’s dream:

Meet Joan Kroc, Philanthropist & Kroc Center Benefactor

Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, said that she took a tour of San Diego and it was then that she recognized a community that was in desperate need of a safe gathering place, a place with facilities and trained professionals to nurture children’s social skills, arts appreciation and athletic potential. She described The Kroc Center as being a beacon of light and hope in the community.

Mrs. Kroc entrusted The Salvation Army with $90 million to build the first Kroc Center in the Rolando neighborhood of San Diego. Sadly, she passed away a little more than a year after it opened. She was so pleased with what was accomplished here that she left $1.5 billion to The Salvation Army to build centers like this across the country. Today, there are 26 Kroc Centers nationwide.

Mission of The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church.
Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.