Volunteer

Safe, affordable way for families to make an impact!

"I would highly recommend this program. I think it is especially great for families, because it is so well organized and coordinated. There is a great balance of activities, work, cultural education, and rest time. The interactions between our children and the young adult volunteers in Nicaragua were fabulous, and added a tremendous amount to the experience."

Fran, Michigan, 2012

Family volunteering in the Dominican Republic - November 2012

Special Notice: Summer 2013 Dare to Dream Program:

During Summer 2013, Outreach360 volunteers will be creating the Dare to Dream Summer Program for the kids we are working with in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. In addition to the Outreach360 academic program focused on teaching Spanish Literacy and English, we are overlaying a program to include Character Building, Skill Building, and Dream Building. All teaching will be done in a fun, interactive format. This is a great opportunity for families to powerfully share these softer skills with disadvantaged students who do not normally receive exposure to this type of education. And teaching something can often be the best teacher! No teaching experience or Spanish knowledge is required. More information on the Dare to Dream Summer Program is available here:

http://www.outreach360.org/programs/summer

Outreach360 Overview:

Outreach360 was incorporated in 1994 as Orphanage Outreach. We changed our name in September of 2011 to better reflect our change of focus from orphanages to entire neighborhoods of disadvantaged children. We match real needs in the countries where we work with the unique resources our volunteers have to share. Since 1994, over 15,000 volunteers have joined us in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, including over 2000 last year alone.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to enable children to live a life of choice - to be qualified when completing high school to be able to choose to pursue a college degree or meaningful employment. Our focus is on those children growing up in the impoverished neighborhoods where we work.

Our Volunteer Teams:

High school teams, college teams, families, and individuals join us each week of the year, from any Saturday to any Saturday. Our family program is growing; families enjoy the extensive support provided, our focus on safety and health, and the family friendly atmosphere.

"Turn-Key" Approach:

If you haven't brought your family to a developing country before (and even if you have), you will appreciate the "turn key" approach we take. We will purchase the insurance, meet you at the airport, arrange the meals, housing, ground transportation, and projects. You'll still be busy, but it will be time well spent supporting your family and the direct service to the community; not managing basic logistics.

Our Program:

We are implementing Neighborhood Learning Centers in the areas where we work, teaching children during the half day they are not in their local school. We are starting with the younger children first, primarily teaching English and Spanish literacy. As the children get older, we will expand our focus to include college preparatory classes and vocational skills. Your family will most likely be working with children from pre-school through 4th grade. Our mission is to enable these children to live a life of choice - to be qualified to choose to pursue a college degree or meaningful employment.

Safety:

The safety and health of our volunteers is our number one priority. Since 1994, over 15,000 volunteers have joined us without anyone's personal safety being threatened. We use common sense guidelines, as well as implement specific measures to ensure your family stays safe. Our leaders live and work full time in the communities where you will be staying; we and you are part of the community. We specifically choose to work in rural communities, far from the crime of the larger cities and tourist areas.

Health:

Your health is a top priority of ours. You will be staying in Outreach360 facilities; we purposefully avoid more risky home stays. Your meals will be cooked by Outreach360 trained staff. We use purified bottled water for all cooking and drinking. Mosquito nets are provided when needed. Competent and professional medical clinics are located near your volunteer location; if you need to visit one, you will be accompanied by an Outreach360 staff member to help with the process including translation. We carry excellent medical insurance, including emergency medical evacuation coverage. All that said, it is very, very rare that an Outreach360 volunteer ever needs to visit a clinic. More info in the Volunteer Guide: Medical Precautions; Medical Insurance

Accommodations:

We have our own facilities where your family will be eating and sleeping. We have modern toilets and showers. Your team will be living in simple but comfortable facilities. We have our own cooks, and most volunteers rave about the excellent food.

Professional In-Country Leadership:

Your team will be led by American and Canadian full time staff. We work hard to focus on the many in-country logistics necessary to make your trip a success, so that you are able to focus on your family.

Insurance:

Outeach360 has personal medical/travel insurance for each volunteer, along with industry leading foreign general liability insurance.

Dominican Republic vs Nicaragua:

Our service program is very similar in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic; you'll be working with young children primarily teaching English and Spanish literacy. And your housing and facilities in both countries is very similar. After that, the programs are very different. In the Dominican Republic, you will be volunteering in a fishing town on the beautiful northwest coast; in Nicaragua, you will be volunteering high in the mountains in the Nicaragua coffee growing region. And the cultural experiences your family will have are very different as well. The ideal thing might be to join us in the Dominican Republic one year, and Nicaragua the next.

Costs:

The program donation for adults is $800 for one week; this tax deductible donation for U.S. tax payers covers housing, all meals, ground transportation, insurance, and professional team leadership. All children under the age of 18 traveling with a parent receive a $500 child scholarship, so their program donation for the week is just $300. Your family will receive its' own fund-raising page on our web site; we encourage you to invite family and friends to donate to sponsor your volunteer service. People are usually very happy to donate to a cause where they can see first hand the impact they are having. Volunteer Guide Info: Costs page.

Spanish Language:

This program is great for people who are looking to practice and expand their Spanish; the opportunities are limitless. It is also a great experience for people with no Spanish knowledge; one of our 10 Volunteer Principles is "Communicate Love" - to stress that language is not a requirement to make a connection with people, and to make a real difference. English only speakers are especially helpful in our English classes.

Comments from family volunteers who joined us in 2012:

The highlight for me was feeling accepted into the community and feeling protected and loved by Outreach360 and the community. I loved hanging out at the park and seeing how people live and teaching them. It's a great way to experience a new culture and be part of something bigger than you and your life. You will feel like you have made an impact by the time you go home. You will see new things and also bring new things for the kids to learn. If you have never taught before, you will be able to be proud you helped. I am.

Rebecca, Age 13, Dominican Republic Program

This was an amazing experience for our family. The staff was extremely well organized and supportive, and we all enjoyed working with the children. Other highlights were learning about the history of the Dominican Republic and going on field trips to the beach and market.

Susan, California, Dominican Republic Program

The highlights were being together as a family to volunteer in a foreign country with children who are appreciative and in need, meeting/living with other volunteers who share that vision, learning about a new culture by being immersed in it during our stay, and not having to worry about logistics, safety, or meals.

Christine, Pennsylvania, Nicaragua Program