Especially in such difficult economic times, non profit organizations need to diversify their means of generating funding to continue their work.  Arms Wide Open has created and will continue to create enterprises that not only provide funding for the ministry, but provide jobs and economic growth in our community.  These enterprises fall under two categories; Program Related Enterprises and Independent Enterprises.  Program Related Enterprises are businesses that employ youth in our programs.  Youth will work in all aspects of the enterprise from the physical labor to generating end of the month Profit and Loss Statements.   Independent Enterprises are businesses to be established in the community to benefit the community. 

Program Related Enterprises

Snowball Stand
The snowball stand will provide summer employment for students.   The stand can also be used to sell produce and Christmas items.

Filling the Food Pantries & Produce Stand
Student will plant and tend a garden on the AWOM farm.  The food produced will be donated to local food pantries and sold at the produce stand.

Serving through the Seasons

Students will till gardens in the spring, cut grass in the summer, rake leaves in the fall, and shovel snow in the winter.  Students will learn to market their services as well as working on jobs. Students will donate their time to senior citizens and those who are physically unable to do such activities. 

Independent Enterprises

ReBuilders
ReBuilders will be a recycling center for building materials.  Based on the Loading Dock model, Re builders will seek donations of new and used building materials.  These materials may come in the form of gently used cabinetry, overstock items, incorrect or over ordered materials etc.  These items will be sold to the public at very reasonable prices.  ReBuilders will make building materials accessible to low-income families, diminish the amount of solid waste in our area, and provide jobs to our community.

West Virginia Horse Expo
The West Virginia Horse Expo is the first enterprise to be developed.  The first expo was held in 2009 at the WV State Fairgrounds. The expo included clinics, seminars, demonstrations and an equine trade show.  The show brought in vendors and spectators from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana and Georgia.  In addition to bringing trade from other states, the expo gave a platform for West Virginia breeders, trainers and equine related business owners to showcase their products and services.  The West Virginia High School Rodeo Association held their Southern Classic Competition as part of the horse expo. The best part of the expo for the ministry was that through the efforts of Christian Farmer’s Outreach, 32 individuals gave their life to Christ at the expo.  Many others were ministered to through the Sunday morning Cowboy Church. 

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Calf roping (l)at the WV High School Rodeo Association Southern Classic Rodeo held as part of the expo and a display of saddles exhibited by Virginia based Bryant’s Saddlery (r).

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Everyone loves petting the horses including the Shoney's Bear.