HOW TO JOIN
PLEASE NOTE: PORTLAND AMIGOS IS CLOSE TO Its CAPACITY OF 25 STUDENTS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE PORTLAND CHAPTER, PLEASE APPLY NOW.
READY TO APPLY?
- Explore our website. Check out our programs and review our admissions requirements.
- Learn more about the chapter path! Click around on the tabs above to learn more about our chapter’s history, funding and financial assistance, and local training.
- Watch the Portland Chapter recorded information session AND attend an HQ-led online information session.
- Submit your application (it should take around 30 minutes or less) and pay the $75 application fee to hold your spot. Questions or tech issues? Reach out to our Admissions team at [email protected].
WATCH THE PORTLAND CHAPTER INFORMATION SESSION
The Portland Chapter recorded an information session (below). You can review this recording to learn more about basic program information and chapter specifics, such as training and fundraising.
The slide show for the recorded information session appears below.
Application Deadlines
- December 10, 2024 is the priority deadline for project assignment choice and financial assistance.
- January 14, 2025 is the final financial assistance application deadline.
- The chapter is approaching capacity. Interested applicants should apply now.
Interviews
Once you submit your application, you will be invited to sign up for a family interview that takes place online via Zoom. At least one parent or guardian is required to attend, and the interview lasts approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Interviews will take place November 1-22, December 1-20, and January 3-24.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact [email protected].
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Portland Chapter is part of a 10 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. Our board supports volunteers and families with group fundraising, service learning, community building, and overall preparation. Learn more about our Summer Programs here!
HISTORY
Since the Portland Chapter’s incorporation in 1997, over 500 youth from Portland and its suburbs have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
Portland Chapter volunteers attend Abiqua School, Churchill, Cleveland, Corvallis, De La Salle, Franklin, Grant, Ida B. Wells, Lake Oswego, Lincoln, Milwaukie, North Clackamas, Oregon Episcopal, Riverdale, Roosevelt, Southridge, St. Mary’s, Tigard, Tualatin, and many more!
TESTIMONIALS
CLICK HERE to see photos from 2019!
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS Portland provides need-based financial assistance (FA) with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances.
The Portland Chapter has $20,000 of FA for families who qualify. In some cases the chapter has assisted with over 85% of the cost. Priority for FA will be given to families with adjusted gross incomes of $160,000 per year or less. Families that earn more than this amount will be considered for FA if there are extenuating circumstances. Applications for FA should be completed on the AMIGOS website.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. We highly encourage you to apply for financial assistance.
ADDITIONAL Referral Program
Alumni and parents of alumni can earn discounts or cash payments for referring the next cohort of AMIGOS volunteers! Learn more about our Alumni Referral Program and sign up to receive your unique referral code.
RESOURCES:
- All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award.
- To learn more about program fees, check out the Fees and Financial Assistance webpage.
CONTACT:
- Please reach out to Alexi Bernagros, Portland FA Coordinator, via email at [email protected] with any questions about financial assistance.
TRAINING
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
With over 60 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 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
- Health and safety training
- Opportunities to practice Spanish
- Creating a community of young people with shared values
TRAINING CALENDAR
FUNDRAISING
GROUP FUNDRAISING
The Portland Chapter offers significant reductions in program fees through letter writing to donor contacts (February-March). We chose this activity 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 to cover fee reductions and chapter expenses.
All volunteers are required to fully take part in letter writing, as fundraising skills are an important component of the AMIGOS training program. Fundraising also raises awareness of AMIGOS programs in the Portland community. Detailed financial information, including fundraising and financial assistance are discussed at our Information Sessions and then again more completely at Candidate and Parent Interviews.
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS
Each volunteer is required to send out 100 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.
To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2024 CauseVox Campaign here.
Portland chapter family fees
Portland AMIGOS offers a 35% discount on the Family Fee.
Please note that airfare is not included in the fee for National Chapter and Portland Chapter volunteers. Airfare estimates can be found here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Spalding
Co-President/Assistant Treasurer/Fundraising (Grapefruit)
Alysha Catalano
Co-President/Community Events/Financial Aid
Eric Hill
Treasurer
Jackie Wallace
Secretary/Training Support
Linda Ganzini
Fundraising (Letters)/Financial Aid
David Pribnow
Paperwork/Workspace
Riley Stevenson
Recruitment/Newsletter
Alexi Bernagros
Financial Aid
Recruitment and Training Team
Jennifer Schmidt
Outreach Coordinator
[email protected]
Susan Douglass
Training Director
[email protected]