LEARN MORE
Summer 2022 Programs
READY TO APPLY?
- Click here to start your application.
- Complete your application.
- An AMIGOS representative from the Portland Chapter will contact you to set up an interview.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Financial Assistance Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you are interested in applying for financial assistance, please submit the application as soon as possible!
January 31, 2022 is the Final Application Deadline.
INFO SESSIONS
The Portland Chapter is hosting information sessions via zoom. Please register here.
- Sunday, January 9th at 6 pm
- Thursday, January 13th at 6 pm
If you cannot attend one of these sessions, we have a prerecorded Chapter Info Session that we highly recommend that you watch. It is less than 20 minutes long and is filled with good information. Watch this recording below.
In addition to attending a local Portland Chapter information session, we encourage you to attend one of our HQ led info sessions. Click here to register! Please be sure to attend a Summer Program Info Session.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. Once you attend an information session and complete your application, a representative from the Portland Chapter will contact you to schedule your family interview.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact recruitment@amigos-portland.org.
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Portland Chapter is part of a 20 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Pacific Northwest/Portland, Oregon area train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America or Colorado. Our board supports volunteers with packing, pre-departure immunizations, fundraising, and overall preparation. Learn more about our Summer Programs here!
Portland Volunteers Attend:
Abiqua School • Churchill • Cleveland • De La Salle • Franklin • Grant • Lake Oswego • Lincoln • Milwaukie • North Clackamas • Oregon Episcopal • Riverdale • Roosevelt • Southridge • St. Mary’s • Tigard • Tualatin • Wilson
FEES & FUNDING
The cost to participate in an AMIGOS Latin America Summer Program in the Portland Chapter is $3,975*.
The cost to participate in an AMIGOS Western Colorado Program in the Portland Chapter is $5,075*.
The Portland Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of tulip sales (April), donor contacts through letter writing (February through March), an additional fundraiser, as needed (April/May), and a family fee contribution. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. The individual fundraising goal is approximately $2,500. All volunteers 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.
*Flight costs are not included. Learn more about airfare and travel support here.
PRODUCT SALES
AMIGOS Portland volunteers raise funds through the sale of tulips. This effort primarily takes place in April. Students 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 volunteer 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 volunteer with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.
Additional funding AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE opportunities
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award.
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides need-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 accepted on a rolling basis. If you are interested in applying for financial assistance, please submit the application as soon as possible! The Financial Assistance Application is a separate application available to complete through your dashboard. After receiving an application, the Portland Chapter will convene to determine their local Portland Chapter financial assistance award amounts. Apply here!
Please contact the Portland Chapter Treasurer at sara.love.nd@gmail.com for more information.
FEES
Non-Refundable Application Fee: $50
Latin America Project Family Fee: $3,975*
Western Colorado Project Family Fee: $5,075*
*Flight costs are not included. Learn more about airfare and travel support here.
FEES INCLUDE
- Training materials and workshops
- Secondary short-term international medical insurance
- Program excursions
- Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
- Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
- 24-hour On Call Emergency Management System
- Travel hotline and support
Click here for more information about our Fees & Funding.
TRAINING & CALENDAR
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
With over 55 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips volunteers 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 volunteers for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help students 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
2021-2022 Meetings and TRAINING CALENDAR
Meetings will be in-person. Vaccinations, masks, and social distancing will be required. We follow AMIGOS National Office and State of Oregon guidelines for COVID-19 safety.
- Sunday, February 6: Student & Parent Orientation 2-5pm
- Saturday, February 26: Student Retreat 10am-4pm // Parent Meeting 10am-11am
- Sunday, March 6: Student & Parent Letters Party 3-6pm
- Sunday, April 3: Student & Parent Tulip Training (via Zoom)
- Tulip Sales April 10-24
- Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22: Student at Chrysallis Farms Sat 10am-Sun 2pm (includes community service)
- Sunday, June 5: Student & Parent Pre-Departure Party 3-5pm
National Office ADDITIONAL Training
Students — 5 hrs online asynchronous training
Students & Parents – 1 hr online Health and Safety training
Students – 1 hr OPTIONAL alumni panel
BOARD
Jennifer Schmidt Co-President Info@portlandamigos.org |
Jeff Spalding Co-President |
Peggy Bartelt Secretary |
Sara Love Treasurer |
Mark Cooksey Financial Assistance Mentor |
Dave Pribnow Communications Coordinator |
Kate English Training and Family Support |
Anne Nelson Fundraising Coordinator (Grapefruit) |
Linda Ganzini DEI, Financial Assistance Mentor, and Fundraising Support |
Molly Newgard DEI |
Kirsten Gwynn At Large, Letter-Writing Support |
Jessica Parlanti Outreach Coordinator recruitment@amigos-portland.org |
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