The cost of supporting an AMIGOS participant in Latin America is significant. Portland Chapter covers these costs through a combination of citrus fruit sales (December and January), donor contacts through letter writing (December through May), an additional fundraiser, as needed (March/April), and a family fee contribution. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all participants without regard to family financial circumstances. All participants are required to fully take part in each fundraising activity, as fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community. Detailed financial information, including family fees, financial assistance and fundraising are discussed at our Information Sessions and then again more completely at Candidate and Parent Interviews.

PRODUCT SALES

AMIGOS Portland participants raise funds through the sale of grapefruits. This effort primarily takes place in December and January for the holiday season; an additional fundraiser may be done in March/April. Participants receive considerable help with regard to sales strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will definitely build important skills that can be applied in summer projects!

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each participant is also required to send out letters to friends, family and other contacts, requesting individual tax-deductible donations to the Chapter (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the participant with considerable help provided by the Chapter during the process.

FAMILY FEE

Chapter deposit/application fee $100 (included as part of the family fee)

Group fundraising participation required

THE PROGRAM FEE INCLUDES:

• Chapter training materials and workshops
• Round-Trip International Airfare
• Secondary short-term international medical insurance
• Program excursions and trainings
• Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
• Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
• 24-hour emergency support system

THE PROGRAM FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Immunizations and pre-travel medical examinations
• Passport/visa fees

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of participants from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of assistance to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Financial assistance applications are due n February 1st, 2016. Please contact your Chapter Treasurer for additional information. Veteran AMIGOS participants who are returning for an additional summer are given a $365 discount from the family fee.

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.

With 50 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips participants with the critical thinking, communication skills, and technical knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact across cultures while staying healthy and safe. The Portland Chapter AMIGOS training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares participants for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help participants succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and Portland Chapter Board of Directors.

SERVICE LEARNING

The Portland Chapter incorporates service learning into the AMIGOS training to add depth and first-hand experience to the curriculum. Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• Unparalleled leadership development
• Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
• Hands-on training for technical aspects of the program
• Extensive health and safety training
• Opportunities to practice Spanish
• Creating a community of young people with shared values

THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDES:

• Trainings generally on the first Saturday of the month (November through May/June)
• Parent participation in supporting the group
• Two overnight retreats
• Service learning requirements
• Online assessments to determine readiness for the summer
• Spanish conversation