Assis, São Paulo – Brazil

Project started: August 2006

Geographic setting: Urban

Language: Portuguese

Children participating per week: 60+

Local Church Partner: Independent Presbyterian Church of Paulista Garden

Economy: Mix of agricultural and manufacturing

Challenges: Poverty, drug traffic, addiction, violence, high male incarceration, youth prostitution

Interesting tidbits: This, the very first Open Arms outreach project, was started by our founders, Michael & Patricia Meyers, with 30 children and a handful of volunteers in a little one room church. We’ve come a long way since then!