COMMUNITY NEEDS STUDY: Last Thursday, you may have received an email link to a survey that is part of a project we have undertaken with the help of Calvin University’s Center for Social Research. After 10+ years of operation, and especially after 18 months of an altered pandemic environment, it is important for us to understand what our neighbors perceive as the Kroc Center’s role in the community. The first phase is this survey, being sent to all past and current members, day pass users, and program participants. We will also be doing listening sessions during the month of October with members of the community. The results of the study will help inform decisions made for 2022 and beyond! We’ll be posting the survey link on our social media accounts over the next few weeks, and would appreciate if you would share it with friends and family in the Grand Rapids area.
FALL 2 PROGRAM GUIDE: The Fall 2 session program guide is now available at the Welcome Desk and on our website. Registration opens on Monday, September 27 and is available until Tuesday, October 26. Note that there will be NO programs on Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Day) or Friday, November 26 (“Black Friday”), but programs DO meet on Saturday, November 27.
MONSTER MASH: The time has come to prepare for the return of our annual Monster Mash event, scheduled for Friday, October 29 from 5 to 7 pm. This year, we will be partnering with the Burton Heights Business Association to help recruit vendors to hand out candy and other materials. If you have an organization you would like to invite to participate, please contact Jon Shaner for a sponsorship form. Note: All full-time or administrative staff are expected to work this event unless excused by your supervisor.
GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY: National Good Neighbor Day is Tuesday, September 28th. The Alger Garfield Neighbors Collaborative is encouraging all of us to celebrate the good things happening in the neighborhood! There are three ways to participate in Good Neighbor Day. Choose one, two or all three options!
- Nominate your neighbor for an act of kindness here: https://tinyurl.com/nominateyourneighbor All nominations are due before noon September 28. Prize drawing at 7:30pm at the Garfield Park lodge. Attendance not required to win.
- Meet-up and Clean-up the Neighborhood – Invite your neighbors and friends! Meet at the lodge at 6pm for supplies. Clean up for an hour, then return for snacks and prizes.
- Make a donation to the neighborhood hygiene pantry – Find a list of requested items here: https://tinyurl.com/hygienepantrylist Every item donated equals one raffle ticket for local business gift cards.
REMINDERS OF THE WEEK: Here are some of the topics you can expect to be covered at daily morning and afternoon huddle meetings…
- CUSTOMER SERVICE FOCUS: Speaking up to ensure the safety of others!
- SAFETY: Code ADAM (our radio code for a lost or missing child)
- CORE VALUE: We value a thriving community. The Kroc Center cultivates a sense of place that bonds people together and makes our whole neighborhood stronger.
NEW TO THE KREW: Be sure to welcome our newest colleagues… Keely Newbeck – Senior Assistant; Alina Praamsma – Welcome Desk Lead
OPEN POSITIONS: Visit the Central Territory’s iCIMS system for all job postings and to submit applications online. We appreciate you sharing opportunities with friends and family! Current openings include: Lifeguard; Part-Time Welcome Desk Lead; Operations Administrative Assistant; Group Exercise Instructor.
Send an email to RJ Kroc if you see someone going above and beyond for our guests! Here are some recent examples:
- Chris Reinsma ran an extended Drum Fit class last Monday to help account for seniors who were not aware that the class had shifted to an earlier time slot.
- The Aquatics team salvaged an awkward situation when a family showed up for swim lessons a week early, by finding a way to still let them get in the water for a period of time.
- Another potential ‘red dot’ was averted when a program participant arrived unaware that gymnastics classes had been cancelled – instead, Bram Roberts was able to introduce the kids to the Creative Dance class scheduled for a similar time, and frowns turned upside-down!
Here are some of the upcoming events and groups at the Kroc Center:
- Soccer Field Rental, Friday 9/24, 7-9pm
- AYSO on Soccer Fields – Monday evening, Thursday evening, Saturday morning
Be sure to wish a Happy Birthday to our Kroc Krew colleagues:
- Aaran Bush – September 21
- Nancy Showers – September 22
- Chris Reinsma – September 23
- Eddie Acker – September 24
- Victoria Stedman – September 26
- Jessica Viau – September 27
- Ben Tuit – September 28
- Paul Wood – September 28
