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For the past seven years, 18-year-old Connor Evenson has been a familiar presence at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, often jogging on the treadmill with his eyes lifted and singing songs about Jesus.
When he’s not working out, he’s on the clock five days a week as a Kroc Center Wellness Attendant, checking members into workout classes and preparing exercise equipment.
“I started coming to the Kroc Center when I was 11, and it quickly became my second home with my second family,” Evenson said, explaining he would often get dropped off on summer mornings and stay throughout the day.
Despite living 45 minutes away, he said the Kroc Center is where he’s wanted to spend most of his time. As a member, he completed every Zumba class offered and began attending weekly Bible studies.
“Everyone was always so happy to see me,” he said. “It was an environment I had never experienced before.”
Since early childhood, Evenson has lived with a heart condition that has required four open-heart surgeries, nine stent procedures, and multiple eye surgeries. He now has a heart valve that will need replacement in the future, but he said his overall health is stable.
He said his health journey is isolating at times, having posed obstacles to socializing with others his age.
“The Kroc Center is where I found a community to be a part of,” he said. “I started to rebuild my strength here and made connections along the way.”
The Salvation Army operates seven Kroc Centers across the Western U.S., each serving as a community hub where children and families can join recreational activities, clubs and participate in worship.
Each Kroc Center is designed to offer something for everyone, featuring communal spaces where members can connect and interact.
“The Kroc Center is where I found a community to be a part of. I started to rebuild my strength here and made connections along the way.”
Connor Evenson
“The Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene offers a unique environment,” said Kevin Nelson, Kroc Center Wellness Manager in Coeur d’Alene. “Many members have stories similar to Connor’s, and they come to the Kroc Center because they know it’s a place where they’ll be welcomed and treated like family.”
Nelson said he has known Evenson since he first began attending the Kroc Center as a member.
“He would come by just to talk,” Nelson said. “Over the years, I’ve mentored him in a way and gotten to know him well. He’s become a known figure here.”
He said he and the other staff organized a birthday party for Evenson on his 12th birthday. “We just wanted to show him how much we cared about him,” Nelson said. “He was so overcome with emotion and was just so happy.”
Evenson continued attending the Kroc Center throughout his teenage years, often expressing his hope to become an employee one day. When a position as a Wellness Attendant opened up, Nelson knew Evenson was the right person for the job.
“I offered him the role as a Wellness Attendant because it’s clear how much he loves this place,” Nelson said.
Evenson’s joy radiates and reaches both members and staff each day, according to Nelson.
“God built him for a reason,” Nelson said. “He often goes above and beyond in his role; he wants to make sure everything goes well and that the members are happy.”
Nelson recalled a time when a Zumba instructor couldn’t teach a scheduled class. With Evenson’s extensive Zumba experience, he offered to step in as a substitute to ensure the class continued as planned.
“He creates his own task list that goes beyond his typical job requirements,” said Tracy Marshall, a fellow Wellness Attendant. “He values the missions and goals of the Kroc Center and goes above and beyond to make them a reality.”
For Evenson, extending a helping hand and taking on tasks beyond his role comes naturally.
“The Kroc Center is a place that has given a lot to me,” Evenson said. “I’m more than happy to spend my time here and make sure others have that same experience I’ve had.”
Evenson is currently working on getting his Zumba instructor license so that he can begin teaching his own classes at the Kroc Center.
“I love the Kroc Center; it will always have a special place in my heart,” Evenson said. “I just want to do what I can to make it special for others, too.”
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