From senior dance classes to a teen summit, The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Atlanta was a flurry of activity May 26 for its summer kickoff carnival. Residents from throughout the neighborhood were invited to the all-day event, which gave them a taste of the center’s quality programming.
Through the morning, seniors enjoyed a praise dance class, CPR training, fitness and ceramics. The dance instructor introduced seniors to giving an outward expression – through movement – of their inner gratitude to the Lord. She referenced Romans 12 and talked about Paul and Silas’ time in prison. “At midnight – their darkest hour – they started praising the Lord. The doors opened, their chains broke and their praise shook the foundations,” she said.
A young boy tries his hand at hitting the dunking booth bulls eye.
The instructor also told the story of her recent trip to Haiti – how she witnessed people in dire straits, with missing limbs, praising the Lord. “If you’ve got things you’ve been praying for in your family, a dark time – a ‘midnight’ – try praise and you will see a shift.”
Seniors learned basic dance steps that could be adapted based on level of mobility while repeating, “Glory Hallelujah. This is what we came to do – break chains in Jesus’ name.”
Teens took CPR training, driver’s safety and financial literacy classes. Many of the teens will be volunteering at the center over the summer, so the training in CPR was crucial.
New York Life conducted child protection awareness at the kickoff.
Ikenna Ubaka, program manager, gave teens some history about The Salvation Army’s ministry and explained why it was important to know. “People are going to ask you what the organization is about and what motivates you to be part of it,” she said. “This is the first Kroc center in the South – a place where you can feel safe, feel respected and where there are great activities that will keep you coming. The Salvation Army is first a church.”
She referenced the open-door communication policy that center employees want to maintain with youth in the community, as a means of tailoring programs to suit their interests and desires. As an example, Ubaka talked about the spoken word café and its inception, all because teens at the center suggested it. She ended the introduction to the youth summit by inviting teens to participate in activities, give their voice and spread the word to their friends and family about the center’s programs.
Atlanta Hawks players taught teens ball-handling skills during the community carnival.
Young people also attended a workshop led by RedZone Entertainment recording artist Bryan J. about the positive music he performs. New York Life was on hand to conduct child protection awareness programs.
The Driver’s Safety Awareness workshop introduced two driving simulators that were donated to the center by the Joshua Brown Foundation. Alan Brown, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors, asked for a show of hands at the beginning of his presentation. “How many of you – raise your hand – know someone who died in a car wreck?” Out of about 25 youth, six raised their hands. Brown’s son, Joshua, died in a car accident as a teen because he hydroplaned and didn’t know what to do.
One carnival station allowed teen dance groups to perform.
The foundation Brown created is an effort to get interactive driver education to every teen in Georgia in an attempt to cut down on driving-related deaths. Since his foundation started, driving-related deaths among teens are down by 50 percent in Georgia.
Other sponsors at the carnival included Whiz Kids, the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Housing Authority. The Atlanta Hawks led a basketball clinic for teens, and parents were invited to a parenting forum.
The carnival’s outdoor activities closed the day with a dunking booth, face painting, jumping castle, games, dance platform, manicures, balloons and a cookout.
Brooke Turbyfill
Photos by Lafeea Watson and Brooke Turbyfill
