Christmas Give 2024:

Carmen* came from South America with her husband and four children. They escaped a dangerous religious group where they had lived their whole lives. When they arrived in the US, they applied for asylum and were trying to get settled. During this time, her husband had a stroke and several blood clots, rendering him bedridden and on life support. Carmen has been left with no support system or financial stability.

When Open Arms got connected with Carmen, we saw there was not only physical needs but spiritual needs as well. Open Arms was able to donate beds so her children were not sleeping on the floor, as well as clothes and groceries on multiple occasions. We helped enroll her children in school and our summer camp. We connected Carmen and her family to a Spanish-speaking church, where they have found friends and support. They now attend every Sunday and Carmen’s faith has grown.
 
Recently, hospice decided to remove the life support from her husband. Because of our investment in this relationship, we were honored to have been involved in his memorial service. Many people would be discouraged and overwhelmed by these obstacles, but God has given Carmen strength and allowed her to draw near to Him in the middle of her circumstances.

*pseudonym

We are currently exploring opportunities to expand our services to one or both of these areas: Dover/New Philly and Akron. There is a large population of Hispanics that have settled in Dover/New Philly and there is no organization similar to Open Arms in that area. Akron has a large population of refugees from Congo with innumerable needs. While they are not Hispanic, we are exploring opportunities to hire a new staff member to meet their needs. Expanding Open Arms’ reach will require more resources and funding, but will also impact more people with the love and mercy of Jesus.

Cash or Check: Pick up a “Christmas Give” envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: Open Arms 

Online: Click Here. 
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions.

Legacy Project: In the 10 years that we have been a non-profit, we have seen the schools that we serve go from a posture of not allowing outside entities into their school buildings to NOW allowing The Legacy Project of Stark to send in over 350 volunteer adults from their respective communities. With the majority of our mentors coming from the local churches, we strongly believe that God’s hand has been part of our success.

OHuddle: A youth who had been displaced from Wayne County due to a Children’s Service placement has remained in touch with her mentor through several group home relocations. Throughout her transition, she has stated to the mentor, “You are the only one who never gave up on me.” Having someone to bear her history and stick with her through this placement has been key to the youth’s trust in adults and her sense of personal value. Last week, the mentor traveled hours away to take the youth back-to-school shopping to prepare her for a new school year. This is mentorship... standing in the gaps and sticking with a youth no matter what. The small things are the big things. And they change the world.

Legacy Project: To make our mission effective, we are utilizing over 350 volunteer adult mentors who are meeting weekly with over 1,300 students in 21 schools across Stark/Wayne counties. We are also offering community programs at our space in Massillon called the 708 and the One Center in Canton. We are always looking for caring adults who are willing to give their time to impact the students we serve.

OHuddle: OHuddle has been asked to grow in two new districts. Support would help OHuddle to hire an additional Site Coordinator to expand services to meet the need of our waitlist of 135 youth and to grow services to two new elementary buildings.

Cash or Check: Pick up a “Christmas Give” envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: Mentoring

Online: Click Here. 
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions.

For every suicide death, approximately eleven individuals are left devastated, facing lasting effects such as PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, substance abuse, and thoughts of suicide. One family experienced this firsthand when they lost their son. The tragedy intensified existing issues of mental illness and substance abuse, leading to a psychotic break in the brother who remained.

After the brother was taken to the emergency room, he left the hospital on foot, wandering the unfamiliar streets of Akron without identification or money. He was missing for four days, during which his parents tirelessly searched for him and advocated for help from law enforcement, fearing they might lose another son.

Finally, the local police issued a missing person alert. Within fifteen minutes of his case being listed, he was found by a caller who reported a naked man screaming in their backyard. Dehydrated and bruised, he was incoherent but alive—an answer to their prayers. After two weeks of crisis stabilization and a 30-day recovery program, he was able to return home. Light After Loss helped link the family to the appropriate mental health services and encouraged them to share their story so they could help others.

We continue to renovate The Hope and Healing Center so we can add additional groups and gatherings for loss survivors as well as provide a way for Light after Loss to create an income through renting our banquet hall. As we add support services, adding peer support staff will be essential to accomplishing the mission of serving survivors.

Cash or Check: Pick up a “Christmas Give” envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: Light After Loss

Online: Click Here. 
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions.

At 24 years old, Asma* only knew chaos. Trafficked both inside of India as well as surrounding countries, each new owner brought terror and chaos. While in transit across a border, by God’s grace, she was freed by local authorities. However, the authorities often hold those freed in a prison-like facility behind bars. Through an arduous process with the authorities and unrelenting determination by Seena, Aruna Aftercare Director, Asma was finally able to visit the Aruna Freedom Business. At the end of her visit, with the authorities waiting to take her back to the lock-down facility, she slipped her hand into Seena’s hand, squeezed it tight, and whispered, “it is so peaceful here... will you please keep me?” “Yes, Asma; Aruna was made for you”, whispered Seena. Through Seena’s diligence and Asma’s perseverance, Asma is one of the newest Aruna Artisans, enjoying the peace that accompanies relational, environmental, and financial stability.
*pseudonym

Aruna has a vertically integrated process from exploitation to empowerment. Through Outreach Centers located in multiple areas of sex trafficking, Aruna creates a pathway to freedom. Once freed, a survivor enters the 6-9 month paid Apprenticeship Program where she receives transitional housing, trauma counseling and skill and trade development. Once she graduates, she is offered full-time employment and benefits in the Aruna Freedom Business.

Aruna has two primary needs: 

1. a larger facility for the freedom business - we are at capacity 
2. add industry experts to our US team to continue to grow the impact of Aruna. 

Cash or Check: Pick up a “Christmas Give” envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: Aruna 

Online: Click Here. 
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions.

Famatta was born into extreme poverty. Her family relied on her to sell on the street after school every day so they could afford to eat. Her abuse started when she was just 13 years old, surviving rape in her own home. After the abuse, Famatta was left shaken and struggling with depression, a lack of self-confidence, and no access to resources for healing. Famatta eventually dropped out of school.
 
At the age of 17, in August of 2019, Famatta joined For Every Girl. Her journey of growth and healing began as she met with a For Every Girl Advocate weekly. As part of their work together, Famatta’s advocate made sure her home was safe, assisted her in creating a plan based on her dreams, worked as a spiritual mentor to deepen her relationship with Christ, and taught her different mental health coping strategies as she worked through her trauma. A nurse from For Every Girl educated Famatta on her health and body, as well as being a resource for medical issues. Along with these services, For Every Girl paid Famatta’s school fees so she could return to school and provided her after school tutoring.

Famatta graduated from high school in 2022, making her the first in her family to do so. She also recently completed a nurses aid (STNA) program, which provides a skill for future income. For Every Girl changed the trajectory of Famatta’s life and that of future generations. Healing on all levels—emotional, physical, and spiritual—was possible for Famatta because of generous donations. Famatta recently graduated For Every Girl in September 2024, now allowing her to write a story of her own. Though trauma in any form is difficult, we consider it an honor to be able to assist girls who would otherwise have to face this tragedy alone.

In a country where social and children’s services are nonexistent, we are the sole provider of case management and mental health services for adolescent girls who are victims of sexual violence. Sadly, justice is rarely provided. With 40 girls enrolled in our program, we predict a waitlist of over 800 girls in need. Increased donor support could enable us to reach thousands more survivors, transforming countless young lives. Jesus’ example of serving and uplifting the vulnerable is the model for our organization, as each girl finds healing. $1,500 per girl/per year would give a girl the opportunity find her own healing.

Cash or Check: Pick up a “Christmas Give” envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: For Every Girl

Online: Click Here. 
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions.

Michael came into treatment on December 5, 2023. He was broken mentally, spiritually, and physically. Although he grew up working with his father at a young age, they never had a typical father/son relationship. His dad practiced tough love, and Michael rebelled against it. Consequently, he found himself homeless and trapped in addiction at age 16. He grew up in a Christian household and he knew God, but his view of Christianity was that it was full of strict rules that he could never live up to. So, he chose to “run with the Devil” for forty years searching for something that had always been right in front of him.

Michael got in trouble with the law and was court-ordered to come to New Destiny. Shortly after his arrival, he attended a chapel service, and an altar call was made. Michael went forward to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. He wanted to confirm his sincere, intentional commitment to God as an adult. Immediately afterward, he felt a peace he had never had before. God began working in his life. He started reading his Bible and learning more about Jesus, and the love available to all God’s children.

Many miracles happened, but the most amazing one was when Michael and his father began to rebuild the relationship they never had. He started calling home and having in-depth conversations with his dad. Eventually, over time, his father started telling him that he loved him. Michael finally realized and believed that his dad did love him. For the first time in 40 years, he plans to go home and continue building his relationship with his father. On September 5, 2024, Michael completed our program. He looks forward to starting a productive life serving God.

A chapel and a medical clinic will be constructed to serve clients and our local community. We received a $1.5 million earmark from the Federal government for the clinic:
1) Funding for new accreditation required by the state.
2) Operational funds to make up for shortfalls due to inflation and the increased cost of business.
3) Client needs, including toiletries, bedding, curriculum, and physical fitness equipment.
4) Special events for clients. This includes holiday celebrations; graduation gifts for those who complete the program; winter wear for clients in need; and special speakers and/or events for monthly Family Nights.

Cash or Check: Pick up a “Christmas Give” envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: New Destiny

Online: Click Here. 
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions.

Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene is the cornerstone of health and development for individuals and communities.
 
For the Atieno family, safe water truly changed their lives. “My name is Atieno Mary, and I am a mother of four living in Busimo, Mayuge district, Uganda. Before Water for Good’s (formerly Lifewater) intervention, our living conditions were extremely poor. Our home lacked essential sanitary facilities, we had no latrine, no bathing shelters, no drying racks, and no safe water storage. We were battling significant health and sanitation challenges.”

She continues, “Every day, I endured a three-hour walk to collect water from unprotected sources. Carrying a 25-liter jerry can on my head, I would make this long journey on foot. The unsafe water often caused illnesses, particularly diarrhea, which frequently kept our children out of school. Our family’s well-being was in constant jeopardy, trapping us in a cycle of poor health and lost opportunities.”

However, everything changed when Water for Good introduced their WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program in their community. Clean water became more accessible, allowing them to build proper sanitation facilities and water points. Crucial health education taught the importance of handwashing, personal hygiene, proper waste management, and safe water storage. Today, her family’s health has improved significantly, and they no longer suffer from frequent illnesses. With better health and more time to focus on work instead of collecting water, their income has increased. Their children are more healthy and now attend school regularly, and the overall well-being of the family has greatly improved. Mary shares, “We are incredibly grateful for the support. This intervention has brought health, happiness, and hope to our lives, allowing us to thrive in ways we never thought possible.”

Our work is crucial because the water crisis is unsustainable. 703 million people lack access to basic water services and every two minutes, a child under the age of five dies from a preventable waterborne disease. But together, compelled by our Christian faith and empowered with proven, effective resources, we can be a source for change that ends the crisis. Just $60 provides safe water to an individual for an entire year. Imagine the impact we can have together! The time to act is now—because the solution to this crisis is not only possible but necessary for a healthy and thriving future for all.

Cash or Check: Pick up a “Christmas Give” envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: Water for Good

Online: Click Here. 
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions. 

We are currently using our facility to provide emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual healing to child survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Girls are safe and getting the opportunity to redefine what their future looks like. Our job is to sow seeds and help girls know that their value was never in their body. It is in the fact that God created them.

When a girl arrives, we gift her a Bible in her welcome kit. The Bible is personalized with her first name. When one of our girls arrived and saw it, she said, “My name. It has my name!” As she ran her fingers acrossed it, “I left my Bible in jail. I didn’t know if I’d get it back. But this one has my name, I am keeping this forever!” This same girl had a caseworker visit her after roughly 10-days with us. After her visit, the caseworker said to me, “I don’t know what you are doing, but it is working. She looks like a completely different person. Her countenance, her demeanor, and attitude are completely different. It’s like someone who leaves a detox facility. She hasn’t even been here that long! This place is exactly what she needed.”

God is working! He has begun the restoration process with the girls onsite and we know He will continue to do it as new girls arrive. Something as simple as adding their name to a Bible might seem small, but it is one of the first things they receive that is solely theirs, and it says so with their name on it. They take pride in it and God does the work that draws them in to open it. It is a BIG deal! As God’s Word is living and active, it changes everything.

In 2025, we plan to build a recreational facility – providing an indoor gym and a small salon. The salon will be a defined spot on campus where a girl can get her hair cut, dyed, straightened, curled, etc. Survivors have been forced to do things; including keeping their hair styled to what sells best. Offering a place where she can define what her hair looks like is a very BIG deal. This location will also offer tattoo cover ups and removals. All decisions made in the salon will give her confidence and strength as she continues her healing journey.

Cash or Check: Pick up a "Christmas Give" envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: Safe Harbor

Online: Click Here
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions.

Daniel Navarrete left behind a life marked by drug addiction and violence, a path that had been set for him by his parents. Instead, he chose to embrace faith in God. For the past seven years, Daniel has been an integral part of the church family, dedicating his life to helping others. He started a church in one of the city’s most challenging neighborhoods, focusing on teenagers and young adults. This work serves as a testament to how he was once reached, and it reflects his deep gratitude for the transformation he experienced through his faith.

The church planting ministry is defined by its commitment to grace for all. No matter who someone is or where they come from, everyone is welcomed with open arms.

We currently have 4 churches in Mexico and two in Guatemala with plans to expand. They have very little and we want to further support them by: 

• Financially supporting our two full-time pastor/Church planters 
• Purchasing tables, chairs, and musical instruments for the new churches that just opened 
• Purchasing a vehicle to mobilize the church for outreach and urgent transportation needs 

Cash or Check: Pick up a "Christmas Give" envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: Mexico

Online: Click Here
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions.

One brother from a factory in Taiwan gave his life to Christ and received the call to ministry. He has enrolled in our local Bible classes and will graduate next summer. His hope is to attend the Bible and Missions School and return to Vietnam to plant a church. He has a passion and vision to share Jesus with the people who have never heard!

We currently have 3 churches in Taiwan. They are the mission centers to reach the Vietnamese people. We have planted 24 churches in Vietnam, and currently have 22 leaders in Bible and Missions School. Two of our biggest needs are transportation and pastor support. 

• Transportation to send pastors in Vietnam to neighboring towns and cities (public transportation costs as well as purchasing bicycles and motorbikes) 
• Transportation to bring factory workers in Taiwan to church 
• Financial support for pastors’ families in Vietnam 

Cash or Check: Pick up a "Christmas Give" envelope at your campus. Indicate the organization(s) and amount.
Check Memo: Vietnam

Online: Click Here
Giving to multiple partners will require separate transactions.