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Food pantry Program/Thrift Shop
Open Arms CDC Inc. partners with Panera Bread to deliver bread and pastries donated by Panera Bread to needy families on a weekly basis. Open Arms CDC, Inc. identifies needy families through the Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority, local churches, area child care centers and direct outreach at parks frequented by homeless individuals. Open Arms CDC Inc. engages local youth who are currently in foster care to distribute the baked goods to instill a sense of personal responsibility and community service. We are currently looking for other donors to assist with the food pantry to provide a variety of edible products for those less fortunate.
Open Arms CDC Inc. also partners with Bed, Bath, & Beyond to distribute household items to families. These items range from linens to small appliances. Open Arms CDC Inc. utilizes community resource centers within the inner-city neighborhoods to distribute these items on a monthly rotation.
Upcoming Activities and Programs
Job Skills/Life Skills Program
Open Arms CDC Inc. will offer an intensive job training program to prepare youth and parents to work in a professional atmosphere. Skills covered during the training will include: Money management, Keyboarding, Telephone etiquette, Résumé writing, Dress for Success, Business/Dining Etiquette, and Professionalism in the Workplace. Open Arms partners will partner with Helping Hands Staffing LLC to assist with job placement once the course is successfully completed by the participant.
Open Arms CDC Inc. will provide life skills conferences that have the following sessions:
| Self- Awareness |
Goal Setting/Decision Making |
| Effective communication |
Money Matters (budgeting) |
| Banking (spending vs. saving) |
Healthy Relationships |
| Substance abuse prevention |
Health/ Nutrition |
| Career Development |
Apartment Living
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| Paying your bills (online, phone, mail, prioritize, etc) |
What does DMV mean to me?
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| All washed up (laundry) |
Community Resources
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| Identifying & Utilizing |
What’s up Doc? (Necessary documentation) |
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These conferences are offered at the convenience of many DDS agencies and in the fall by Open Arms CDC, Inc. These conferences give youth the opportunity to explore exactly what living on their own entails!
Resource Center/Clothes Closet
Open Arms CDC Inc will provide a resource center for participants in any of our programs to assists with access to computers/internet. The resource center will be equipped with six internet- ready computers for children, immediate family members, and staff to use for resumes, online job searches and email access. The resource center will also offer a clothes closet with donated business professional clothing for males and females to have at no charge for job searches and interviews. Open Arms CDC Inc accepts donations of gently used and new clothing during normal business hours and is easily accessible by public transit.
After School Program
The after school program will provide a structured, safe environment for students ages 5-16 who attend inner-city schools. The program will ensure that each child has a healthy snack after school, assistance with homework and age-appropriate activities in a structured program. We also plan to operate in the summer and on some holidays. The purpose of the program is focused on achieving the goal of keeping at-risk children highly engaged in meaningful activities. We plan to provide transportation for the children from their schools to their homes with no additional fee. Participants over the age of 12 will serve as volunteers/mentors in the program, allowing them to develop training/job skills in the area of child care. The volunteers receive formal training, including CPR/ First Aid and may receive a stipend on a quarterly basis for active participation in the program.
Sports Performance Training Academy
Open Arms CDC, Inc. will operate a sports performance training academy with an emphasis on character development. This program allows developing athletes to improve their athletic abilities and their skills while working on developing an overall improved attitude and approach to sports. Traits such as teamwork, accountability, respect, sportsmanship, dignity, pride and humility are a part of the character developed as a result of participation in this program. The program will serve youth (male and female) of all skill levels. The training program enhances physical stamina and strength training and eventually participants focus on the specific skills required for a particular sport.
Intensive In-Home Services
Transportation
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