spring appeal 2014
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BECOME AN AMIGOS SUSTAINER!
Your monthly gift will ensure the future of AMIGOS and support our vision of a world where each young
person becomes a life-long catalyst for social change. Your monthly gift will help to expand the scope, scale,
and pace of our youth leadership efforts and make a positive impact across the Americas. Monthly giving
provides a reliable stream of support that is vital to furthering our mission.
Choose your amount. When you donate monthly, you can change or stop the donation at any time. You will
receive an email confirmation when charged. Each January, you will receive a cumulative gift receipt, which
can be used for tax purposes.
BECOME AN AMIGOS SUSTAINER TODAY BY VISITING THE AMIGOS WEBSITE AT WWW.AMIGOSLINK.ORG/SUSTAINER TO USE OUR SAFE AND SECURE ONLINE FORM. THANK YOU!
Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage
PAIDHouston, TX
Permit No. 86765618 Star LaneHouston, Texas 77057
T U R N S
50
BILL ARNOLD
Professor in the Practice of Energy Management Rice University, Houston
AMIGOS Volunteer Honduras 1965 , Honduras 1966, and Guatemala 1967
“AMIGOS’ first field trip yields a whirlwind of memories: Guy
Bevil’s challenge; driving a 1000-mile motorcade to Honduras;
headquarters at a United Fruit Company compound; confirming
villages were prepared to receive volunteers (not all were); meeting
the first charter plane (three 3-week terms); getting everyone
settled in with supplies; coordinating with our hosts, Acción Cívica
Militar; stretching our command of Spanish; getting to love freshly
cooked beans, rice, and tortillas; dealing with real and perceived
health crises; receiving daily communications by ham radio from
Houston; administering inoculations and oral polio vaccines to
tens of thousands of people; selling the vehicles; and flying home
with lifelong friendships.
In the following decades as a banker, government official, energy
executive, and now professor I have traveled to 75 countries. I
still see the world through an AMIGOS prism in which people
at all levels can discover unknown talents when they are inspired.
AMIGOS was expected to be a one-time demonstration of youth
leadership, but it was built to last - as 50 years have shown.”
REFLECTIONS FROM OUR FIRST SUMMER
HELP AMIGOS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS STRONG
As we launch our 50th anniversary summer program, we also pause to reflect upon the last 50 years of
youth leadership and grassroots community development across the Americas. AMIGOS volunteers have
touched the lives of thousands of people and have left the world a better place.
A lot has happened since 1965, when a group of idealistic young people
led by Guy Bevil traveled to rural Honduras to fight a growing polio
epidemic. No one had any idea the first summer a new seed had been
planted that would grow over the next 50 years into an international
youth organization with 25 chapters and 30 partnerships throughout
the Americas. Today, AMIGOS’ programs are completely unique
in offering comprehensive leadership training and real-life practice.
Volunteers live with host families in Latin America and collaborate as
leaders with the local community on development or service projects
that are meaningful and sustainable to that community. Although a lot has changed since 1965, the roots of
youth leadership have remained the same throughout the years.
The transformation that takes place when young people take on the AMIGOS challenge
can be seen year after year when volunteers return to their home communities with a new
world view, a deep appreciation of diversity, and an unwavering belief in their own leadership
capacity. We hope that you will join us in the upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
Please show your support by making a tax deductible gift to AMIGOS today. Together, we can
continue to sustain our outstanding programs and flourish for the next 50 years and beyond.
The 2014 Senior Project Staff
say, “Thank you!”
JUAN CARLOS GALINDO, JR.
Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston
2014 Financial Aid Award Winner
“My upcoming summer volunteer experience with AMIGOS
has the possibility of opening my eyes to different views on
life and cultures of the world. I am looking forward to gaining
leadership skills so that I can come back to my community and
promote social change.
The financial aid award means a lot to my family and
me. Without this award, I would not be able to attend
or even imagine attending this wonderful program.
I am honored to be able to participate in a program like
AMIGOS.”
Juan will be traveling to Cotopaxi, Ecuador this summer to build
young leaders through social enterprise. Follow his journey at:
www.amigoslink.org/juan
LOOKING AHEAD TO OUR 50th SUMMER