The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Atlanta opened in October 2008, and since then, it has seen great fruit from its preparation prior to grand opening.

Just before he and his wife, Captain Everette Platt, were transferred to Savannah, Ga., Captain Marion Platt – outgoing administrator of the center – talked to the Southern Spirit about the center’s progress and about the first appointment change they’ve experienced since being involved in this groundbreaking center, the first of its kind in the USA South. The new administrator at the helm – Captain Sandra Pawar – also gave her perspective about leading the center.

SS: What have been the challenges in the center’s first two years of being open?

MP: Those challenges have revolved around financial challenges. We opened during the lowest point of the recession, so much of the programming we intended to present to the community was impacted by the lack of funding.

It’s also been difficult to rise to the level of expectations that people have of a Kroc center. It was difficult to rise to the level of our own expectations. What I mean by that is people still thought that a Kroc center is a Kroc center, which means there’s lots of money – there shouldn’t be any financial problems. The funding was impacted, and not everyone realized the way that that would impact the Kroc center.

But on the brighter side of those challenges, they’ve forced us to be creative in the way that we provide programming so it’s built a mindset of offering the most mission for the least money. We’ve gone beyond the fact of making excuses that we don’t have funding. We just don’t do that anymore.

SS: What have been the highlights?

MP: In the four years leading up to the Kroc center, the congregation, the staff, etc., we all spent a lot of time talking up the center to the community; those relationships we built in those early years were foundational to our success. Folks know that The Salvation Army is a safe, fun place for their family. As a result, the size of the congregation has multiplied. I can’t remember a Sunday when we didn’t have five to 10 visitors.

SS: How do you feel your move will affect the center, and what “torch” do you most want to pass on to the new center administrator, Captain Sandra Pawar?

MP: Everette and I have worked hard to help people see that the center belongs to the people who live and work and worship in this neighborhood and that The Salvation Army built this center to be a blessing to the people who live here. It’s a place that helps the hungry, homeless, those who are dealing with addictions, utilities needs, and in its truest sense, it’s a service provider. The folks who live and work around here understand who we are, and at the end of the day, people respect the work of the Army. That shouldn’t be tied to any one individual.

Captain Sandra Pawar moved from being the assistant corps officer at the center to its administrator in June. Her background in social work and previous appointment at the Charlotte 614 prepared her with a passion for community and outreach. Here she shares her hopes and dreams for the Atlanta center.

SS: Since being at the Atlanta center how have you seen its programs take shape in the way they’ve impacted the community?

SP: Although The Salvation Army has had a presence here through the college, the residents now know what The Salvation Army is and what we do. We have a lot of outreach programs, so I’ve found a lot of people are migrating to the center. Our presence in the community is much bigger. And even though we don’t have enough money to run the way we really should run, our bartering services (with community organizations) has enabled us to build more relationships with businesses, people and share resources.

SS: What are your primary responsibilities as assistant corps officer of the Kroc center, and how will those roles change as you move into the Kroc center administrator appointment?

SP: As an assistant corps officer, I was pretty much a part of every program. I was given a lot of freedom to do what I was passionate about. So we’ve started a prayer ministry for sexual trafficking victims. As administrator, I know my administrative responsibilities will increase, but my main heart is ministry with people and I plan to continue that.

SS: In what ways do you feel your previous appointment has prepared you for your next appointment, and how do you plan to carry on the goals of the center?

SP: I think the Platts have paved an amazing path here. They really fought for the community and to maintain relationships. They’ve built a strong core community of mission-minded people. I want to expand the outreaches and hope that the center will be the hub of the community. I want it to be a place of life change for people. I want it to not be about the Kroc center, but about the mission of the Army.

SS: What is your vision for the future in the next two to three years?

SP: I want to see this place as a beacon and light in this community. I would like to see us have a shelter for sexually trafficked women. I would like to see that prayer ministry expanded. But also, I would love to just see families everywhere – to see that the building is too small to hold everyone.