The New York City 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. Buying out of fundraising is an option for all families prior to summer departure if the volunteer does not meet the fundraising minimum, however all families and volunteers are expected to participate in fundraising activities during the winter months. Fundraising activities and resources will be introduced to volunteers during training sessions. Volunteers will receive strategic guidance and support meeting their goals, however the chapter expects that they commit at least an hour to fundraising per week outside of training.

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of 100 letters and 100 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.

Spring Fundraiser

Each family is expected to donate a silent auction item to the Spring Fundraiser and to purchase two (2) tickets.The event format consists of a silent auction featuring approximately 40 items, followed by a live auction of higher valued items masterfully conducted by Jan Nolte, formerly of Christieʼs and parent to an AMIGOS alumna. For more information about the auction contact auction@amigosnyc.org.

Additional funding opportunities

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

We offer financial assistance to qualified applicants on a rolling basis. The Financial Assistance Application deadline has passed.

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 15th. The fee must be paid by April 15.
• 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 TBA to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. The Financial Assistance Application deadline has passed. Please contact info@amigosnyc.org 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 New York City 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 the New York City Chapter Training Director.

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:

• Five Sunday trainings for volunteers
• Three parent trainings

TRAINING CALENDAR

Meetings are mandatory and take place in Manhattan.

January 26, 2020
Volunteer/Parent Training 1
10:00 AM–3:00 PM

February 9, 2020
Volunteer Training 2
10:00 AM–6:00 PM

March 8, 2020
Volunteer Training 3
10:00 AM–3:00 PM

March 2020 – Individual Online Check-ins

April 5, 2020
Volunteer Training 4
10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Parent Training 2
10:00 AM–12:00 PM

April 19, 2020
Volunteer Training 5
10:00 AM–3:00 PM

May 3, 2020
Volunteer Despedida/Parent Training 3
10:00 AM–1:00 PM