The cost of supporting an AMIGOS participant in Latin America is significant. AMIGOS Ohio Chapter participants pay a family fee contribution to cover a portion of the costs of the program. The remaining costs are raised through a variety of fundraising efforts including a letter writing campaign, an online giving campaign, and an annual AMIGOS Carnaval Auction and Benefit Dinner.

The AMIGOS Ohio Chapter chose these fundraising activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all participants without regard to family financial circumstances. All participants 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/Online Giving Campaign

Each participant is required to send out a combination of letters and emails to friends and family as well as local businesses, 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. With the support of the chapter, participants also set up online giving platforms to collect additional donations through social media.

Annual Carnaval auction and Benefit Dinner

The annual AMIGOS Ohio Chapter Carnaval Auction and Benefit Dinner will take place at the Kent State University Conference Center on April 2, 2016. Participants are required to solicit donations of goods and services to be auctioned in the silent and verbal auctions. Guidelines for how to obtain these donations and significant support from chapter leaders is provided to all participants. Participants are also expected to invite family and friends to attend that auction.

Group Fundraising Initiative

During their training program, AMIGOS Ohio Chapter work together to brainstorm, identify, and implement a group fundraising initiative that will contribute to the chapter’s fundraising efforts. This allows the group to use their own creativity. The 2014 AMIGOS group made pre packaged “cookies in a jar” and sold them in their communities.

FAMILY FEE: $2,975

(payment plan options available)

Chapter application fee amount $30

Group fundraising participation required

THE PROGRAM FEE INCLUDES:

• Chapter training materials and workshops
• Round-Trip International Airfare
• Secondary short-term international medical insurance
• Program excursions and trainings
• Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
• Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
• 24-hour emergency support system

THE PROGRAM FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Immunizations and pre-travel medical examinations
• Passport/visa fees

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of participants from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide financial assistance to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. The deadline for financial assistance applications are to be announced. Please contact Chapter President for additional information. In addition, participants who are returning for an additional summer receive a $365 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 Ohio 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.

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:

• Sunday trainings (1pm-5pm) at Kent State University (approximately twice a month from December-April)
• Two overnight retreats (late January and early April)
• Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer