New Program Completes 1 Year: BASE – Open Arms at School
The BASE Program (Braços AbertoS na Escola) is the Open Arms ministry that reaches our children and adolescents while they are at school. In this program, we have groups during school hours, where we apply Biblical principles to subjects like conflict resolution, drug use prevention, family dynamics, and gang activity. We also have a futsal (indoor soccer) class to provide additional discipleship time with
Sterling, Virginia
Sterling, Virginia As the location of our US headquarters, Open Arms has sought to bless the children in our own backyard, much as we do overseas. One particular example of this was our ministry partnership with Sully Elementary School & one local church. Project Years: 2014-2017 Geographic setting: Suburban Language: English & Spanish Local Church Partner: Sterling Park Baptist Church (SPBC) Challenges:
Cândido Mota, São Paulo – Brazil
Cândido Mota, São Paulo – Brazil Project started: July 2014 Local Church Partner: Evangelical Church of Biblical Revival Geographic setting: Urban Language: Portuguese Children participating per week: 50-60 Economy: Mix of agricultural and manufacturing Challenges: Poverty, drug traffic, addiction, violence, high levels of male incarceration Interesting tidbits: Cândido Mota is also known by the nickname, “Gigante Vermelho” or “Giant Red” because of the color of its exceptionally
Sterling Park Book Drive a Success!
On June 10th volunteers from Open Arms-Sterling Park, gathered at our local partner church, Sterling Park Baptist (www.sterlingparkbc.org), to sort through the 2,000+ books that were donated in our first Sully Elementary Book Drive. We had a good time dividing books by reading level and even reminiscing over some old classics that had been donated. On the 13th we delivered the books to the
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