Neighborhood Kids Clubs
Open Arms’ Neighborhood Kids Clubs are the primary tool of our strategy to reach children at risk with the life transforming message of hope in Jesus right in their community. It is from these clubs that all of our other programs grow and are sustained. Engaging the Community The heart of these clubs begins with mobilizing and training local Christian churches; forming partnerships with
Vila Progresso Community – Assis
Assis, São Paulo – Brazil Project started: 2011 Geographic setting: Urban Language: Portuguese Children participating per week: 50-60 Economy: Mix of agricultural and manufacturing Challenges: Poverty, drug traffic, youth prostitution, addiction, violence, high male incarceration Interesting tidbits: Started in a struggling public school, the Open Arms program in Vila Progresso serves one of the most notorious neighborhoods in Assis.
Cohab IV Community
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,
Project Zadok – Youth Detention Center
Marília, São Paulo – Brazil Project started: 2011 Geographic setting: Youth Detention Center Language: Portuguese Youth participating: 75-100 inmates Local Church Partner: Independent Presbyterian Church of Paulista Garden Approach: A combination of teaching, prayer, worship, discipleship and mentoring upon release. Interesting tidbits: Eduardo was released from this facility in 2007 at the age of 17. He came to the Lord that year and began
Assis – Boys Soccer Outreach
Assis, São Paulo – Brazil Project started: 2009 Geographic setting: Urban Language: Portuguese Children participating per week: 100+ (Ages 6-15 years) Economy: Mix of agricultural and manufacturing Challenges: Poverty, drug traffic, addiction, violence, high male incarceration Approach: Through the vehicle of sport our coaches and volunteers use God’s Word to mentor these young people and develop in them Christian character traits that will serve
Assis – Girls Soccer Outreach
Assis, São Paulo – Brazil Project started: October 2010 Local Church Partner: Independent Presbyterian Church Geographic setting: Urban Language: Portuguese Children participating per week: 50-60 Economy: Mix of agricultural and manufacturing Challenges: Poverty, drug traffic, addiction, violence, high male incarceration Interesting tidbits: Open Arms girls play a popular version of soccer called “Futsal.” It is played on a basketball court with a heavier, low-bounce
Assis III Community
Assis, São Paulo – Brazil Project started: August 2010 Local Church Partner: Independent Presbyterian Church Geographic setting: Urban Language: Portuguese Children participating per week: 50-60 Economy: Mix of agricultural and manufacturing Challenges: Poverty, drug traffic, addiction, violence, high male incarceration Interesting tidbits: Eduardo grew up in this neighborhood as a gang member. He returned here several years after leaving a juvenile detention center to
Colinas Park Community
Assis, São Paulo – Brazil Project started: May 2010 Local Church Partner: A partnership of Baptist and Presbyterian Churches Geographic setting: Urban Language: Portuguese Children participating per week: 100+ Economy: Mix of agricultural and manufacturing Challenges: Poverty, drug traffic, addiction, violence, high male incarceration Interesting tidbits: This neighborhood became the largest slum in the city of Assis when a government housing project was completed
Sarita Romeiro
Aquidauana, MS – Brazil
(Open Arms Pantanal)
Nova Aquidauana Community
Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul – Brasil Project started: January 2010 Local Church Partner: UNIEDAS (Network of Indigenous Churches), Pastor Gino Urban Mission: Mixture of Brazilian and Indigenous Language: Portuguese Children participating per week: 60-70 Economy: Cattle, Tourism, Lumber Challenges: Poverty, alcohol addiction, child abandonment, prostitution Interesting tidbit: Aquidauana sits at the beginning of one of the world’s largest wetlands, the Pantanal, which straddles