Recent Events and Photos
South Side Youth Compete in Salvation Army Golf Tournament
July 29, 2010
Kids from across the Chicago area teed-off at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center ‘Tee-Level Clinic Golf Tournament’ for beginner golfers, ages 10-13 on July 29. The tournament was open to any children who participated in the Illinois Kids Golf Foundation Tee-Level Clinics this summer. Held at the Burnham Woods Golf Course, this three-hole, stroke play tournament gave 25 kids from across the Chicago area the rare opportunity to compete in a golf tournament for the very first time. The kids put their new golf skills to use and teed-off for trophies, medals and top honors.
This summer, The Salvation Army gave kids on the Far South Side the opportunity to participate in the comprehensive youth golf program, “Hook a Kid on Golf” where they learned basic golf skills, the rules of the game and the history of golf. Hook a Kid on Golf is generously funded by Jerry Rich of Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois and the USGA. Mark Rasar, CPS teacher and former golf coach at Lincoln Park High School’s city championship team, taught the basics of golf to the more than 30 kids.
The future Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center complex will include an outdoor golf training center with driving ranges and putting greens.
 |
 |
 |
Salvation Army Holds 2nd Annual Back-to-School Health Fair and Gospel Concert
Fair helps kids prepare for august school start with free physicals, health screenings and backpack giveaway
July 24, 2010
Caption: Salvation Army Major Darlene Harvey helps Amarie Adams, 10, and mom, Kirby Weeks, show off a brand new, free backpack filled with school supplies at the 2nd annual Salvation Army Back-to-School Health Fair and Gospel Concert on July 24.
The Salvation Army and the West Pullman community came together for a fun-filled day in the park at the 2nd annual Salvation Army Back-to-School Health Fair and Gospel Concert on Saturday, July 24, in Cooper Park. More than 1,500 individuals took part.
The free health fair provided back-to-school physicals courtesy of the Cook County Health Department and the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital Pediatric Mobil Medical Unit. “The Salvation Army Kroc Center is doing so much to create a healthier attitude about living,” said Dr. Eileen Couture, who for the third consecutive year has volunteered her time on behalf of the Cook County Health Department. “Because of the work the Army is already doing in the community, people are beginning to change the way they think about their food choices, social and health choices – even their financial decisions.”
Popular Billboard gospel chart recording artist Tony Tidwell Ministries headlined a rousing and inspirational day-long lineup of gospel performers, including Cliff Dubois and Divine and The Salvation Army Kroc Corps Singing Company.
In addition to health screenings and gospel performances, the fair also featured free carnival games and prizes. The Salvation Army gave away backpacks filled with school supplies to more than 450 children in preparation for an early start to the school year in August. “It’s a very good thing that The Salvation Army is providing this service to our community,” said Deunta White, whose daughter Tayvia, 9, attends nearby Shoop Academy. “This fair is helping parents like me with getting the school supplies she needs.”
This year, at least two schools in the immediate area have switched to a year-round schedule and needed to reach out earlier to their students.
 |
 |
 |
Salvation Army Band of Survivors Group Holds Peace Rally and Prayer Walk in West Pullman
July 16, 2010
The Salvation Army and youth from the Chicago Metropolitan Division’s Band of Survivors held a ‘Prayer and Praise’ night at Higgins Community Academy on Friday, July 16, under the direction of Majors Darlene and David Harvey, Kroc Center Administrators, and Corps Sergeant Major Vincent Johnson, Director of Outreach and Evangelism.
Teens from across Northeast Illinois joined members of the West Pullman community to walk the neighborhood surrounding the site of the future Kroc Center carrying lit candles to symbolize bringing peace to the community.
The ‘Prayer and Praise’ night was in response to several tragic deaths of area youth this summer that occurred within close proximity to the site of the future Kroc Center. The Kroc Center will give community members a safe haven to develop positive programs for area youth, including educational, arts and sports activities designed to enrich the mind, body and spirit.
The Band of Survivors is a month-long summer mission school for the youth of the Chicago Metropolitan Division.
 |
 |
 |
Salvation Army Kroc Center Sends 64 Campers to Camp Wonderland
West Pullman Youth Win Awards at Salvation Army Music Camp
Summer, 2010
Music students, Adventure Corps and Sunbeams from The Salvation Army Kroc Center programs in the West Pullman community had the opportunity of a lifetime this summer to hone their talents at this year’s Salvation Army Music and Scouting Camps. The Salvation Army Kroc Center sent 33 students from the Far South Side of Chicago to Camp Wonderland in Wisconsin for a week of intensive musical instruction in voice and band. Thirty-one students attended the Adventure Corps, Girl Guards and Sunbeams scouting camps.
A testament to the talent of the West Pullman youth and the impact that the Kroc Center team is already making in the community, several Kroc campers received honors and awards at Music Camp, which draws campers from across the entire Midwest. West Pullman youth who received awards were Pierce Cruz, who took first place in the Tamarack Band; ChenChaz Curtis, who took second place in the Shagbark Band; Diamond Gant and Marquez Williams, who placed in solo contests in the Tamarack and Shagbark bands, respectively; and Monica Dyson, winner of the Joshua Lee Olson award for faith and courage.
After recent cuts in funding for after-school activities, The Salvation Army is helping to fill the gap in South Side schools. Starting in September, The Salvation Army will offer after-school programs in music instruction, character building and sports to Higgins Community Academy, Songhai Elementary Learning Institute and Kipling Elementary School. More than 1,100 kids are expected to take part in Salvation Army programming during the 2010-2011 school year.
 |
 |
Previous | Next
