December 10, 2023 • 10 mins
Major Annalise Francis and her husband, Billy Francis, lead the Ashland Salvation Army Kroc Community Center. The Salvation Army has been in Ashland for 140 years and serving the residents with many different programs. The Kroc Center, which is on of only 26 in the US, is located on Liberty Street in Ashland. The Kroc Center was built in 2009. Annalise has been with the Salvation Army for 20 years and shares about all the wonderful things they do locally for the community on the podcast.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
The CEO you should know, broughtto you by Roby Foster Miller Eric Insurance.
This week's CEO Major an Elise Francisof the Ashland Salvation Army CROC Center.
Today we're going to shine the spotlighton Ashland. We are going to
talk about the Salvation Army Krock CoreCommunity Center over there in Ashland, and
(00:24):
we are joined by Major and EliseFrancis. Analise, good morning. Thank
you so much for spending time withus today. How are you, good
morning, I'm doing well. Thankyou so much for this opportunity, and
it's really an honor to talk toyou today. Absolutely, I know I've
heard about all the great work that'sdone in Ashland with the CROC Center,
So let's kind of begin. Iknow the Salvation Army has been in Ashland
(00:47):
for a long long time. Canyou give us any history. How far
does a date back? Yeah,I think it goes back even one hundred
and forty years, not in ourcurrent location or state, but well over
undred and forty years. The SalvationArmy has been serving the community in Ashland,
both in spiritual and social service ministryand having programming. And the CROC
(01:10):
Center was built and started its uniqueexpanded ministry for the Salvation Army in Ashland
in two thousand and nine. Allright, so, and am I right?
I could be wrong, but theCroc Center, it's one of only
so many in the country. Right, that's right. There are twenty six
Croc Centers in the United States thatwere the wonderful outpouring from a wonderful gift
(01:34):
by Joan Kroc, who was thewidow of the founder of Mcdonald'sraycroc. All
right, so very cool that youone of those is right here in north
central Ohio in Ashland. Now,where are you located? Somebody that's never
been to the Croc Center in Nashland, they're new to the area. Where
are you guys located at in town? We are on five twenty seven East
Liberty Street, which is just offof Main Street on your way into downtown.
(02:00):
If you've gone buy on Main Street, you look over to the side,
you will see our bright red andyellow water slides. They'll take your
I'll rest your attention. All right, now, I know you have a
lot of great programs, and beforewe get to all those, I think
about it's December. People are seeing, you know, the red kettles.
You guys have so much going onfor the holidays, and if there's anything
(02:23):
you want to share with people thatyou guys have going on, they should
know about here for the holiday season. Absolutely, the Salvation Army's theme for
this year has been love beyond,Love beyond homelessness, love beyond food and
security, and we're even looking atlove beyond Christmas that during the holidays we
want to provide for families that arein need, and so you'll see our
(02:47):
iconic red kettles out collecting money tohelp us with providing meals and utilities and
housing assistance and different things to ourcommunity all year long. We also have
a head Start preschool in our building. We have before and after school care,
lots of different recreational and educational andarts programming for all ages, and
(03:09):
so we have lots of opportunities toshare the love of Christ but also share
the joy of Christmas in the midstof everything going on. Right now,
we have something unique where we havean outdoor iceless ice skating rink that people
can come on over and enjoy sometime iceless ice skating every day of the
(03:30):
week. All right. Terrific tolearn about the Croc Center over in Ashland
with the Salvation Army. This week'sCEO. You should know again the voice
you're hearing is Major an Elise Francisagain with the Salvation Army Kroc Core Community
Center over in Ashland. Now andalease, how long have you been in
the role here is helping lead theorganization? This is my sixth year that
(03:53):
my husband and I have been stationedas the administrators and core officers in Ashland.
But I've been a Salvation Army officerfor almost twenty years now. All
right, and your husband, ifpeople don't know him, could you share
his name with us? Yes,his name is Major William. He affectionately
goes by Billy Francis. All Right, Now, as we talk about people
(04:15):
you serve, of course the Ashlandcommunity, but I'm assuming people probably come
for much further to see you guys. How far do they come from?
Absolutely, that's a great question.We get people from all over Ohio.
We even get some people from outof state, believe it or not,
because at the Aslin Crux Center,we have something for everyone and everyone is
(04:35):
welcome. So we have an indoorwater park that draws a lot of guests
from all over and parents can workout where their children are cared for by
childcare associates. And we've got lifeguardswho are fully qualified and certified to teach
them and keep them safe. We'vegot open gyms and leagues for individuals of
all ages and ability. Seniors comeand can meet friends or do our Silver
(04:59):
Sneakers program. So there's so muchto do at the Crock Center that it
does draw people from all over allright, Well, that is great to
hear, but let's step away fromwork for a moment. We're going to
find out a little bit more aboutyou. As we are talking with Major
Annalise Francis from the Salvation Army crocCore Community Center in Ashland. Let's go
back to the beginning, analyse.Could you tell us where were you born?
(05:23):
I was actually born in Michigan andI lived there for kind of split
my childhood between Michigan and the Chicagoarea. All right, Next, where'd
you go to high school at?I went to high school in Wheaton,
Illinois. All right, night,when made my way over to the East
coast to Boston for college. Okay, now, after college, how did
(05:45):
you get involved with the Salvation Army? I know you mentioned I believed at
least twenty years and now here inAshland for at least six years. But
talk to us after college to whereyou are now. Yeah, so I
attended the Salvation Army as my placeof worship my church and was a member
there. And after I graduated college, I took a position at a local
(06:05):
Salvation Army in the Boston area,and during that time period, as I
was searching for the Lord's plan formy life, I felt called to commit
my life full time to ministry asan officer in the Salvation Army. So
I've been to seminary, I've beento the Salvation Army's training college, and
then from there I was stationed invarious Salvation Army appointments in New York City,
(06:30):
Los Angeles, and now in Ashland. All right, well, it's
great to learn about you, andwhile we're on the topic of you,
if you want to share a littlemore. I know you mentioned husband a
bit ago, but tell us alittle bit more about Analyse and the family.
Yeah. So my husband I havebeen married for almost twenty years as
well, and we have three wonderfulchildren, two daughters and a son that
(06:50):
keep in addition to our work inour ministry keep us very busy, and
we just enjoy getting to watch themgrow up and be part of all of
their activities and interest all right,now, I'm sure you know, helping
run things with the Salvation Army inAshland, it's a busy time. But
when you're away from work, whatdo you do in your spare time?
Do you have any hobbies? Yes? I do. I originally was a
(07:15):
professional singer, so I still enjoyto sing and do some arts, and
I really enjoy reading, and Ilove spending time with my family. All
Right, terrific to learn about again. Major Annalise Francis with the Salvation Army
Crack Center in Ashland this week's CEO. You should know, let's get back
to the Salvation Army for just acouple of minutes before I let you go.
(07:38):
I'm sure this could vary, andyou know, depending on the time
of the year programs. How manystaff members do you guys have, And
I'm sure you have a lot ofvolunteers on a yearly basis, we sure
do. We have about seventy fivestaff members and we do throughout the year
just have hundreds of volunteers that areboth our staff and our volunteers are so
(07:58):
important to us and all of thewonderful work that the Salvation Army does in
Ashland. Now you mentioned programs earlierand I know you guys help with food
assistants. Is that a weekly dailything? How does that work? Yeah?
Great question. So every weekday weprovide a free hot lunch to the
(08:18):
community. It's open to anyone.We also have a food pantry that provides
groceries to individuals and families. Wehelp provide necessities and clothing and help with
housing and this time of year,we also help families with holiday gifts and
meals so that there's no child thathas to wake up without something special underneath
(08:39):
their Christmas tree, and really awhole family can have a merry Christmas without
stress attached to it. In aLIS, if somebody wants more information,
they want to find out about aprogram that they want to get involved,
maybe they even want to volunteer.How did they reach out to the Salvation
Army in Ashland County? Great question. The best way to reach out to
(09:00):
us is through our website Ashlandcrock dotorg, or you can also look up
the Ashland Crock Center on social mediaand check out everything that's going on and
get in touch with us there aswell. All right, now, did
I miss anything a program? Isthere something new? Well? Part of
being in the Ashland Crock Center youare able to become a member of the
(09:22):
Ashland Croc Center and with the moneywe collect through memberships, it helps us
to support the community by providing thosemeals and necessities and clothing and holiday gifts
for people in need, and alsowith all of the different experience that people
might otherwise miss out on. Wealso in January twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth
have our youth arts production is Matildathe musical Junior that will be showing at
(09:46):
the Ashland Theater and tickets can bebought on the Ashland Theater's website and we'd
love to invite the community to comeand enjoy that. Could you give the
website again if somebody missed it,Yes, Ashlandcrock dot org. All right,
Ashlandcrock dot or for more information.As we were thrilled this morning to
learn all about the Salvation Army KrocCore Community Center in Ashland with Major Analise
(10:09):
Francis. Well, it's been greatto learn your story all about the Croc
Center. We thank you for joiningus and Ealise and we wish you continued
success. Thank you so much,thanks for having me on in Merry Christmas.
Major Annalise Francis of the Ashland SalvationArmy Croc Center. The CEO you
should know rita bio, see aphoto and here the extended interview at WMA
(10:35):
n FM dot com. This isJohn Roby of rf ME Insurance. It
has said that a good leader setsthe bar high because he or she wants
to reach goals and make the bestof their teams. We're proud to introduce
you to some of the community's leaderson the CEO series
The CEO you should know, broughtto you by Roby Foster Miller Eric Insurance.
This week's CEO Major an Elise Francisof the Ashland Salvation Army CROC Center.
Today we're going to shine the spotlighton Ashland. We are going to
talk about the Salvation Army Krock CoreCommunity Center over there in Ashland, and
(00:24):
we are joined by Major and EliseFrancis. Analise, good morning. Thank
you so much for spending time withus today. How are you, good
morning, I'm doing well. Thankyou so much for this opportunity, and
it's really an honor to talk toyou today. Absolutely, I know I've
heard about all the great work that'sdone in Ashland with the CROC Center,
So let's kind of begin. Iknow the Salvation Army has been in Ashland
(00:47):
for a long long time. Canyou give us any history. How far
does a date back? Yeah,I think it goes back even one hundred
and forty years, not in ourcurrent location or state, but well over
undred and forty years. The SalvationArmy has been serving the community in Ashland,
both in spiritual and social service ministryand having programming. And the CROC
(01:10):
Center was built and started its uniqueexpanded ministry for the Salvation Army in Ashland
in two thousand and nine. Allright, so, and am I right?
I could be wrong, but theCroc Center, it's one of only
so many in the country. Right, that's right. There are twenty six
Croc Centers in the United States thatwere the wonderful outpouring from a wonderful gift
(01:34):
by Joan Kroc, who was thewidow of the founder of Mcdonald'sraycroc. All
right, so very cool that youone of those is right here in north
central Ohio in Ashland. Now,where are you located? Somebody that's never
been to the Croc Center in Nashland, they're new to the area. Where
are you guys located at in town? We are on five twenty seven East
Liberty Street, which is just offof Main Street on your way into downtown.
(02:00):
If you've gone buy on Main Street, you look over to the side,
you will see our bright red andyellow water slides. They'll take your
I'll rest your attention. All right, now, I know you have a
lot of great programs, and beforewe get to all those, I think
about it's December. People are seeing, you know, the red kettles.
You guys have so much going onfor the holidays, and if there's anything
(02:23):
you want to share with people thatyou guys have going on, they should
know about here for the holiday season. Absolutely, the Salvation Army's theme for
this year has been love beyond,Love beyond homelessness, love beyond food and
security, and we're even looking atlove beyond Christmas that during the holidays we
want to provide for families that arein need, and so you'll see our
(02:47):
iconic red kettles out collecting money tohelp us with providing meals and utilities and
housing assistance and different things to ourcommunity all year long. We also have
a head Start preschool in our building. We have before and after school care,
lots of different recreational and educational andarts programming for all ages, and
(03:09):
so we have lots of opportunities toshare the love of Christ but also share
the joy of Christmas in the midstof everything going on. Right now,
we have something unique where we havean outdoor iceless ice skating rink that people
can come on over and enjoy sometime iceless ice skating every day of the
(03:30):
week. All right. Terrific tolearn about the Croc Center over in Ashland
with the Salvation Army. This week'sCEO. You should know again the voice
you're hearing is Major an Elise Francisagain with the Salvation Army Kroc Core Community
Center over in Ashland. Now andalease, how long have you been in
the role here is helping lead theorganization? This is my sixth year that
(03:53):
my husband and I have been stationedas the administrators and core officers in Ashland.
But I've been a Salvation Army officerfor almost twenty years now. All
right, and your husband, ifpeople don't know him, could you share
his name with us? Yes,his name is Major William. He affectionately
goes by Billy Francis. All Right, Now, as we talk about people
(04:15):
you serve, of course the Ashlandcommunity, but I'm assuming people probably come
for much further to see you guys. How far do they come from?
Absolutely, that's a great question.We get people from all over Ohio.
We even get some people from outof state, believe it or not,
because at the Aslin Crux Center,we have something for everyone and everyone is
(04:35):
welcome. So we have an indoorwater park that draws a lot of guests
from all over and parents can workout where their children are cared for by
childcare associates. And we've got lifeguardswho are fully qualified and certified to teach
them and keep them safe. We'vegot open gyms and leagues for individuals of
all ages and ability. Seniors comeand can meet friends or do our Silver
(04:59):
Sneakers program. So there's so muchto do at the Crock Center that it
does draw people from all over allright, Well, that is great to
hear, but let's step away fromwork for a moment. We're going to
find out a little bit more aboutyou. As we are talking with Major
Annalise Francis from the Salvation Army crocCore Community Center in Ashland. Let's go
back to the beginning, analyse.Could you tell us where were you born?
(05:23):
I was actually born in Michigan andI lived there for kind of split
my childhood between Michigan and the Chicagoarea. All right, Next, where'd
you go to high school at?I went to high school in Wheaton,
Illinois. All right, night,when made my way over to the East
coast to Boston for college. Okay, now, after college, how did
(05:45):
you get involved with the Salvation Army? I know you mentioned I believed at
least twenty years and now here inAshland for at least six years. But
talk to us after college to whereyou are now. Yeah, so I
attended the Salvation Army as my placeof worship my church and was a member
there. And after I graduated college, I took a position at a local
(06:05):
Salvation Army in the Boston area,and during that time period, as I
was searching for the Lord's plan formy life, I felt called to commit
my life full time to ministry asan officer in the Salvation Army. So
I've been to seminary, I've beento the Salvation Army's training college, and
then from there I was stationed invarious Salvation Army appointments in New York City,
(06:30):
Los Angeles, and now in Ashland. All right, well, it's
great to learn about you, andwhile we're on the topic of you,
if you want to share a littlemore. I know you mentioned husband a
bit ago, but tell us alittle bit more about Analyse and the family.
Yeah. So my husband I havebeen married for almost twenty years as
well, and we have three wonderfulchildren, two daughters and a son that
(06:50):
keep in addition to our work inour ministry keep us very busy, and
we just enjoy getting to watch themgrow up and be part of all of
their activities and interest all right,now, I'm sure you know, helping
run things with the Salvation Army inAshland, it's a busy time. But
when you're away from work, whatdo you do in your spare time?
Do you have any hobbies? Yes? I do. I originally was a
(07:15):
professional singer, so I still enjoyto sing and do some arts, and
I really enjoy reading, and Ilove spending time with my family. All
Right, terrific to learn about again. Major Annalise Francis with the Salvation Army
Crack Center in Ashland this week's CEO. You should know, let's get back
to the Salvation Army for just acouple of minutes before I let you go.
(07:38):
I'm sure this could vary, andyou know, depending on the time
of the year programs. How manystaff members do you guys have, And
I'm sure you have a lot ofvolunteers on a yearly basis, we sure
do. We have about seventy fivestaff members and we do throughout the year
just have hundreds of volunteers that areboth our staff and our volunteers are so
(07:58):
important to us and all of thewonderful work that the Salvation Army does in
Ashland. Now you mentioned programs earlierand I know you guys help with food
assistants. Is that a weekly dailything? How does that work? Yeah?
Great question. So every weekday weprovide a free hot lunch to the
(08:18):
community. It's open to anyone.We also have a food pantry that provides
groceries to individuals and families. Wehelp provide necessities and clothing and help with
housing and this time of year,we also help families with holiday gifts and
meals so that there's no child thathas to wake up without something special underneath
(08:39):
their Christmas tree, and really awhole family can have a merry Christmas without
stress attached to it. In aLIS, if somebody wants more information,
they want to find out about aprogram that they want to get involved,
maybe they even want to volunteer.How did they reach out to the Salvation
Army in Ashland County? Great question. The best way to reach out to
(09:00):
us is through our website Ashlandcrock dotorg, or you can also look up
the Ashland Crock Center on social mediaand check out everything that's going on and
get in touch with us there aswell. All right, now, did
I miss anything a program? Isthere something new? Well? Part of
being in the Ashland Crock Center youare able to become a member of the
(09:22):
Ashland Croc Center and with the moneywe collect through memberships, it helps us
to support the community by providing thosemeals and necessities and clothing and holiday gifts
for people in need, and alsowith all of the different experience that people
might otherwise miss out on. Wealso in January twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth
have our youth arts production is Matildathe musical Junior that will be showing at
(09:46):
the Ashland Theater and tickets can bebought on the Ashland Theater's website and we'd
love to invite the community to comeand enjoy that. Could you give the
website again if somebody missed it,Yes, Ashlandcrock dot org. All right,
Ashlandcrock dot or for more information.As we were thrilled this morning to
learn all about the Salvation Army KrocCore Community Center in Ashland with Major Analise
(10:09):
Francis. Well, it's been greatto learn your story all about the Croc
Center. We thank you for joiningus and Ealise and we wish you continued
success. Thank you so much,thanks for having me on in Merry Christmas.
Major Annalise Francis of the Ashland SalvationArmy Croc Center. The CEO you
should know rita bio, see aphoto and here the extended interview at WMA
(10:35):
n FM dot com. This isJohn Roby of rf ME Insurance. It
has said that a good leader setsthe bar high because he or she wants
to reach goals and make the bestof their teams. We're proud to introduce
you to some of the community's leaderson the CEO series
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