SHARE:  
Cropped

fall 2024 newsletter

Dear OpenArms,


As we welcome fall, Open Arms is back at full speed. Summer is always a special time as we say goodbye to volunteers who travel to new destinations. It is sad for both grownups and children but we appreciate the time we had together. At the programs, different goodbye sessions were arranged with friendship bracelets, ice cream and presentations about the many places in the world the volunteers were traveling to. Luckily at the same time, we also welcome many new people. We are overwhelmed with the interest and love from people coming to Seoul wanting to give the kids special memories.

 

As we write this newsletter, former volunteer Eric is biking from Busan to Seoul to raise money and awareness of Open Arms – he also made his way to CW's Tuesday program and said hi to the children he met in 2019. Keeping these connections is so important and it is a testament to the special bond that is Open Arms.

 

Fall will be filled with special events, the opening of new programs and the continued development of our programs. It is amazing to see the organization grow with the kids. That all this can happen on a 100% volunteer basis is incredible and teaches us all that a lot can be achieved when we work together.

 

Happy Chuseok! 행복한 추석 보내세요!

Warmest regards,

Inger

Executive Director

news & upcoming events

DT Rooftop Tree Planting.

DT is transforming its rooftop into a beautiful garden and OA volunteers (Justin, Sophia, Agnes, Arya, Amethyst and Richard) spent a day filling bags of soil on August 24. Thank you for your generosity of time and sweat to bring joy and nature to the children’s home. 

OA Mascot Project.

OA is getting a new mascot inspired by our children! The Mascot Project is being led by Wain Choi with Disney animator Jin Kim who will develop the final design. We hope to empower the children by helping them realize that dreams really do come true with hard work, perseverance and community support. The mascot will be that symbol. After reviewing all the children’s drawings, we narrowed it down to a whale, spider and fairy. We recently presented them to the children for their feedback. Next steps are to chose the final mascot and then Jin Kim will develop the final design. Stay tuned!

Please note these images only represent the mascots for discussion and are not final designs

Open Arms is like the ocean


Whales also grow up and live in groups


Its bigger than other animals so it protect us like Open Arms

The alphabet is on the web and then we learn together on the web finding the letters


The web is an inviting space for the kids to come


Spiderman helps people

She is kind and friendly like how we learn at Open Arms in a very kind and friendly way


She has open and welcoming arms


She is Barbara, a fairy in Canada

iPads Coming Soon!

Thanks to the generous support of the American Women’s Club of Korea, we are able to purchase 10 new iPads with personalized English education programs during our classes. iPads in the classroom will bring excitement, engagement and exploration into the learning experience. Apple Korea also provided us with a 10% discount and will help with set up and service.

OA Family Social Picnic.

September 28, 1:00pm @ Yongsan Family Park

OA members and your family are invited to a festive picnic at Yongsan Family Park. OA will provide light snacks, drinks and decorations to create a joyful atmosphere. You are welcome to bring additional food and drinks as we gather to celebrate our community and shared efforts. We look forward to seeing you there! Please check registration link in OA Signal Social Chat to RSVP or email info@theopenarms.com.

SIWA/OA Coming Together.

October 13 9:30am-12:30pm @ SFS

We will be inviting the children from CW to SFS again and running a similar program to last May’s fun-filled program. We hope OA volunteers can make it as the children would love to see some familiar faces. Sign up to follow shortly.

OA Volunteer Training.

October 27, 9:30am-12:30pm @ SFS

Please add this to your calendars! As we begin planning, we would love your input, based on your experience with the programs, on topics to cover, learn about, etc. You can use the google form in the Signal Social Chat or message Yolekha directly. More details about the session will be shared as we get into the planning. We're looking to seeing all of you there!

fundraising & advocacy

OA Bike A Thon.

September 13-15, BUSAN TO SEOUL

An OA volunteer Alum, Eric, from Canada, previously raised over 2.5M KRW and initiated the birthday present drive for our kids at CW. Many of you may have witnessed the joy and dignity that this initiative has brought to many children over the past year. This year, Eric is upping the stakes! He is coming over to Korea to attempt a challenging feat - cycling from Busan to Seoul! Over 500km!! The ambition is the same - to fundraise to sustain the birthday drive and to draw attention to OA and OA's mission. Please join in supporting Eric and OA by sharing this incredible initiative within your community and networks and by considering to contribute to this fundraising effort! Here is a link to the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bikeaton-20

Vineworks OA Fundrasing Dinner.

October 18, 7:00pm - KRW 99,000

Say hello to fall on Vineworks spectacular rooftop and support Open Arms! Bring your friends too! More information to follow soon on Instagram and our member’s Signal Social chat.

volunteer with us

Volunteer Form

education programs

Volunteer Sign Up Every quarter we send out ROTA to signup for program attendance for the volunteers. It is very important that you let us know if and when you can join so we can plan accordingly.

Toddlers CW Our toddlers have graduated and moved on to the Early Years Program! No new Toddler Program for the time being.

Early Years CW Tuesday/weekly 5:30-6:15pm

Primary CW Tuesday/weekly 5:30-6:15pm

Thank you to our dedicated OA CW volunteers: Deedee, Marta, Amethyst, Nancy, Sunny, Sanjana, Silvia, Kathrine, Katy, Lauren, Irene, Veronica. & Shevanti

Primary DTV Thursday/weekly 5:30-7:00pm

We are currently looking for more volunteers to ensure individual attention for each child. New volunteers please fill out Volunteer Form or ROTA for registered volunteers.

Thank you to our incredible OA DTV volunteers: Nancy, Ash, Amethyst, Katy, Munazza, Elena & Maya

Primary & Early Teens MJ Sat/monthly 10:00-12:00pm

Thank you to our fantastic OA MJ volunteers: Nikki, Veronica, Louisa, Sophie , Alice, Darine, Melissa, Alina, Collette, Jihong & Katy F

Early Teens @ Dulwich Saturday/monthly 10:00-12:00pm

'This is exactly what these kids love and in my understanding also very much need….space to be free and active! Thanks Chris (and Dulwich) for providing such a valuable experience and environment for them 😍' - KATY

Thank you to our energetic OA Dulwich volunteers: Amethyst, Chris, Sophie, Elaine, Logan, Kelly, Somila, Joseph & Nancy

Early Teens @ SMW Saturday/monthly 10:00-12:00pm

'The energy really is so amazing! SMW feels like family and home.' -AMETHYST

Thank you to our amazing OA SMW volunteers: Amethyst, Arya, Erica, Richard, Gordon, Sophia, & Agnes

Fur All Dogs Rotating CW, DT & MJ/monthly

Thank you Jeena and your crew for our valuable partnership and dedication. The growing bond and trust between your beautiful dogs have shattered preconceptions and fear. We also thank our partnering welfare homes for opening their doors to this extraordinary dog therapy program.

EY & Primary Volunteers CW

Open Arms is a volunteer-based organisation, where every aspect - from planning our English education programs to fundraising - is handled by our volunteers! You are the heart of our organization! We are thankful for the wonderful and generous volunteers who contribute in many meaningful ways.

dee dee

Nationality: American

EY Co-ordinator CW

Volunteer since 2017 - present

At the close of the summer spent in America with family and friends, I was fortunate to escort a young Korean girl back to Seoul. Eunsoo (not her real name) spent a month with a family in North Carolina, who are anxious to adopt her. They enjoyed camping in Maine, fishing in Maryland, swimming and playing. Eunsoo grew fond of the family’s terrier named Gideon and her new best friend, the family’s ten-year old son Levi. 

After a tearful goodbye to her homestay mom, we set off through the Boston airport to board our 15-hour flight. My sweet charge nestled into her window seat with a large size bag of Skittles on her lap and began to watch cartoons on her personal screen. Several hours later, I glanced over to see the giant letters “PG” illuminated in green on her screen. I checked the programming, which contained some menacing insects and reptiles and watched the show with Eunsoo. 

Parental guidance is what the welfare centers — and we at Open Arms — are striving to provide to children without their own parents to guide them. It’s an ongoing process, one that lasts far longer than a transpacific flight. Yet each intentional interaction shows love and compassion that helps develop resilience in these parentless children. 

Eunsoo turned eight years old as we flew overnight to Seoul. Not one, but two birthday cakes awaited Eunsoo that evening, after the director guided her back to her welfare home. 

Eunsoo has plans to visit the same American family in December, where she will undoubtedly receive more needed parental guidance. 

Thank you, Open Arms volunteers, for all the efforts to you make to guide the children we are privileged to spend time with. None of this guidance would be possible without your care and dedication.

marta c

Nationality: Spanish

Onboarding & Volunteer Co-ordinator

Volunteer since 2023 - present

I began volunteering with Open Arms in March this year, and it's been an incredibly rewarding experience. Every Tuesday, I join the program at CW and it has quickly become one of the highlights of my week. The connection I've made with the children there fills my heart with so much joy. Seeing their smiles and being a part of their lives is something I look forward to every week.

In addition to my time at the welfare center, I've also taken on some administrative responsibilities, helping to onboard and recruit new volunteers. It's a wonderful feeling to contribute to such a meaningful cause in multiple ways.

I've been living in Korea for two years now, and my only regret is that it took me so long to find Open Arms. The organization not only gives me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children, but it has also allowed me to meet other volunteers who share my passions. Through this experience, I've made lasting friendships with people who are just as dedicated to giving back as I am.

goodbye & thank you

잘 가, 친구들

marisa

kristina

chiara

assem

Thank you for your sacrifice of time and dedication. Your presence and kindness made a difference and have created lasting memories for the children. We wish you the best and hope you will continue to support and follow Open Arms and the children as we both grow. Please keep in touch! We will miss you and welcome you back with open arms.

management team

Meet our Team

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the volunteer position, you can apply via LinkedIn or send us an email with your resume and motivational letter to info@theopenarms.org

JD Executive Director

Thank you to all the volunteers for contributing photos and reports. If you have any questions or ideas for upcoming newsletters, please DM or email Barbara at info@theopenarms.org. It's a joy to bring you the latest news!

Instagram

CONTACT US

#2173, 20th Fl, 149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03186 South Korea

info@theopenarms.org

DONATE NOW