We cover the program cost for each Peninsula Chapter volunteer through a combination of fundraising and a family fee contribution (a portion of which is tax deductible). We provide families an opportunity to reduce their family fee by participating in product sales. We also provide financial assistance to families who otherwise cannot afford the family fee. We want to ensure that all eligible and enthused young leaders can experience the AMIGOS program regardless of family financial circumstances.

Fundraising Activities

LETTER WRITING

PRODUCT SALES

Families can reduce their family fee by selling chapter-provided grapefruit, coffee, and fair-trade chocolates from Latin America. Volunteers are trained on sales strategies and provided with supporting materials. This effort primarily takes place in November and December to take advantage of the holiday season. Single and Double Product Sales Family Fee options require a product sales activity.

Financial Assistance

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds across race, nationality, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, age, gender, and sexual orientation. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. Assistance provided is applied to the family fee. All volunteers who receive financial assistance are required to participate in the Double Product Sales activity and letter-writing fundraising efforts of the chapter. Applicants who request financial assistance must apply by November 4th, 2019. Please contact info@amigos-peninsula.org for additional information.

Additional funding opportunities

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

FAMILY Fee

• $3,500 – Double Product Sales**
  • 50 boxes of grapefruit, 40 chocolate bars, 50 lbs. coffee
• $4,250 – Single Product Sales**
  • 25 boxes of grapefruit, 20 chocolate bars, 25 lbs. coffee
• $5,000 – No Product Sales

• Letter-writing fundraising participation required by all volunteers
• Financial assistance recipients must participate in the Double Product Sales option)**

**Applications must be received by the priority deadline of November 4, 2019 for volunteers who apply for financial assistance, standard, or double product sales options.

Fees and fundraising cover:

• Chapter training materials and workshops
• Visa fees, where required
• Secondary short-term international medical insurance
• Round trip international and domestic airfare
• Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
• Program excursions and trainings
• Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
• Incidental medical expenses while in country
• Cots and mosquito nets
• 24-hour emergency support system

DOES NOT cover:

• Immunizations and pre-travel medical examinations
• Passport fees
• Baggage fees
• Airline change fees and surcharges that result from missed flights or early returns through the fault of the volunteer

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home

With more than 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 Peninsula 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 Peninsula Chapter Board of Directors.

SERVICE LEARNING

The Peninsula 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. Volunteers will:

• Be involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of two Saturday morning educational programs for elementary school students.
• Serve as mentors

THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDES:

• Six parent/volunteer trainings on Sunday afternoons, 5 of which require parent participation for 1-2 hours
• Two overnight retreats
• Two Saturday morning service learning commitments
• Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer

2019–2020 Training Calendar

TRAINING PROGRAM Highlights

• 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