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 participants 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 participant 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 participant with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.

Silent Auction

The Chicago North Chapter will team up with the Chicago Urban Chapter for a joint silent auction on Saturday March 10th at the Mexican history museum.

Additional funding opportunities

All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS will receive a credit of $500 towards their family fee and qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. More info here. Apply by Nov. 5th!

Do you qualify for financial aid? If so then we highly encourage you to apply for the AMIGOS Young Leaders Award here by November 12th. 

FEES

Application Fee: $50 (Waived if you apply by November 5th)

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

• Participants pay their family fees beginning in December. The fee must be paid by April 15, 2019.
• Fees can be paid online or by mail.
• Payment plans are available.

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of participants 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-$1,500 to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Financial assistance applications are due on November 12th. Please contact the Chicago North Chapter Treasurer for additional information. In addition, participants who are returning for an additional summer receive a $500 discount.

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 Chicago North 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, 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

Sunday, January 13th
12:00-4:00p

Saturday, January 26th – Sunday, January 27th
7:00p-4:00p
Overnight Retreat
Camp Henry Horner

Sunday, February 10th
10:00a-4:00p

Sunday, March 3rd
10:00a-3:00p

Sunday, April 28th
10:00a-4:00p
Joint Training with Chicago Urban
Location TBD

Sunday, May 5th
10:00a-4:00p

Sunday, May 19th
1:00-4:00p

All trainings will be held at:
North Shore Country Day School
310 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093