The Chicago North Chapter of AMIGOS covers program costs through a combination of family payments and fundraising activities. These include a letter-writing annual fund appeal to friends and family, and a spring fundraiser. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. 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.

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of letters and emails to friends and family, with a minimum of 125 letters/emails being sent out, to request individual tax-deductible donations (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the volunteer with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process. The fundraising goal is $3,900.

Silent Auction

The Chicago North Chapter will team up with the Chicago Urban Chapter for a joint silent auction. Each volunteer must procure 5–10 auction items and sell 5–10 tickets to the event.

Additional funding opportunities

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

FEES

Application Fee: $50

Family Fee: $4,250 (payment plan options available)

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

• Volunteers pay their family fees beginning in December. The fee must be paid by May 15, 2020.
• Fees can be paid online or by mail.
• Payment plans are available.

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 $500–$2,750 to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Financial assistance applications have a rolling deadline. Please contact the Chicago North Chapter Treasurer for additional information.

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 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 Chicago North 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, Chicago North Chapter Board of Directors and guest speakers from the community.

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

TRAINING CALENDAR

January 12: Kickoff Meeting/Letter-Stuffing

January 25-26: Winter Retreat

February 9: Training Meeting #1

March 1: Training Meeting #2

March 15: Training Meeting #3

April 19: Spanish Retreat

May 2: Silent Auction

May 17: Final Training Meeting #4

May 29: Despedida

August (Date TBD): Welcome Home Party