The Chicago Urban Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of fundraising activities 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. 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.This effort primarily takes place from December to June. Volunteers receive considerable help with regard to fundraising strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will build important skills!

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of letters and emails to friends and family, 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.

Silent Auction

Each volunteer is required to participate in preparation and attend a Silent Auction to be held in the Spring. Volunteers will be responsible for soliciting items for the silent auction and assisting in setup of 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 December 15, 2019. The fee must be paid by April 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 needs-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. The Financial Assistance Application deadline has passed. Please contact your Chapter President 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 Urban 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 include guest speakers from the community and the Board of Directors.

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:

• Training meetings
• Retreats
• Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer

TRAINING CALENDAR

January 12, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM – Kickoff Meeting for Volunteers and Parents
Location TBD

January 25–26, 7:00 PM–4:00 PM – Overnight retreat and training
JCYS Camp Henry Horner

February 9, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM – Training and Parent Meeting (2:30–4:00 PM)
Location TBD

March 8, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM – Training and Parent Meeting (2:30–4:00 PM)
Location TBD

April 19, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM – Training and Parent Meeting (2:30–4:00 PM)
Location TBD

May 9, 5:00–10:00 PM – Silent Auction
National Museum of Mexican Art

May 17, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM – Training and Parent Meeting (2:30–4:00 PM), Spanish Retreat
Location TBD

June – Despedida/Going Away Party

We will also have one volunteer event scheduled at some point between January – May 2020. The date and details will be released soon with more information!