The Portland Chapter covers AMIGOS program 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 volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. The individual fundraising goal is approximately $3,000. 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.

PRODUCT SALES

AMIGOS Portland volunteers raise funds through the sale of grapefruits. Orders can be submitted by clicking on this link.  This effort primarily takes place in December and January for the holiday season; an additional fundraiser may be done in March/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 opportunities

All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. More info here.

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers 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.

Fees

Family Fee: $4,250 (Payment plans available.)

Application Fee: $50 (Non-refundable and not included in the Family Fee.)

Group fundraising participation required

FEES INCLUDE

• Round-trip international airfare
• 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.

DUE DATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

• Participants pay their family fees beginning January 2020. The fee must be paid by April 15, 2020.
• Fees can be paid online or by mail.
• Payment plans are available.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DEADLINE

The Portland Chapter has approximately $10,000 to award to qualified applicants. Each volunteer is expected to apply for the National Young Leaders Award. The application deadline for Summer 2020 has passed.

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.

With over 50 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

THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDES:

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

Each Volunteer training will be about 5 hours.

December
8th, Sunday – Orientation
Portland Language Center at Lloyd Center

14th, Saturday – Grapefruit #1

January
12th, Sunday – Training and Letters Party
Portland Language Center at Lloyd Center

February
7th, Friday PM & 8th, Saturday – Training/Retreat
Location TBD

8th, Saturday: Parent Mtg
Location TBD

22nd, Saturday: Grapefruit #2

March
15th, Sunday – Training and Parent Mtg
Portland Language Center at Lloyd Center

25th, Wednesday: 50% Forfeiture of Volunteers Fee

April
15th, Wednesday – Part #2 Application Deadline

19th, Sunday – Training and Parent Mtg
Portland Language Center at Lloyd Center

25th, Saturday: 100% Forfeiture of Volunteers Fee

May
15th, Friday – 17th, Sunday: Training/Retreat
Chrysalis Farms

June

7th, Sunday: Send off Celebration
Location: TBD

August
23rd, Sunday: Return Celebration
Location: TBD