An important update:
During our Annual Meeting on May 12, the Good News Project Board of Directors discussed our international service program. The information we have at our fingertips on a global level is not enough to make an educated decision about 2024 international service trips at this time.
We are exploring different ways that we can “be the good” for our West Indian neighbors. We could be connecting on a virtual platform to determine current needs, sending relief funds for the volcano recovery efforts in St. Vincent or simply encouraging our global volunteers to be supportive of one another through phone calls and relationship building at this time.
A service trip being considered at this time is to Castle Bruce, Dominica, in the first quarter of 2024. A decision about this trip has been tabled until our December Board meeting.
If you are willing to think about a trip to Dominica in 2024, please contact us to express your interest. You will be added to a list of possible participants as we give this trip further consideration.
Please remember that any plans considered for a trip will be tentative, since we cannot predict what conditions will be like in the US or in Dominica or what travel restrictions might be in effect in 2024.
Returning to the Caribbean is a desire of many international volunteers and of our Board. Please share your thoughts about this with us.
“All the people that I met were so kind, loving and welcoming. I felt right at home. I had an amazing experience…because I truly felt like I made a difference in the lives of others, and Good News Project gave me the opportunity to do that” ~ Brennan Schneider (first time volunteer in Jan 2014)
Even if you’re determined to do some good in the world, you know you can’t simply get off an airplane in a developing country and announce, “I’m here to help!” If you really want to accomplish anything, there are practical questions to ask yourself; ‘Where will I stay?’ and ‘How will I get around?’ The desire to build basic shelter for the truly needy is not enough by itself. You need tools, lumber, plans, permits, and helpers. If you want to teach or provide medical care, you will need access to get into schools, clinics, orphanages, prisons, or nursing homes.
Whether you are a college student, a retiree, or somewhere in between, you need connections with an effective agency. Otherwise, you are just another tourist or well-meaning citizen. Hundreds of people each year team up with Good News Project to help needy people in the West Indies.
You volunteer. We’ll handle the details!
Good News participation is open to adult volunteers of any faith who are in good health and are willing and able to work. The cost to participate varies with destination, airline fares (plus overnight hotel stays while traveling), and living expenses. You can expect your total cost to be between $2,000 to $2,700 US. Some volunteers take part in more than one two-week project, which allows only one airline transaction and therefore is more cost effective. These participation expenses are tax deductible “as an expense in giving service to a charitable organization.” (IRS Code #170)
volunteer manual
How do I prepare for my volunteer trip?
The Good News Project year is very cyclical. On January 1 our volunteer groups are off and running and will be arriving in destinations and returning home every two weeks until March. It takes us a good six weeks to gather all of our paperwork, reconcile our multiple accounts, and set participation fees that volunteers can count on for the following year! Our staff gets together in March and after talking with trip leaders, we set project goals for the following year. By the end of April we set travel dates, volunteer skill requirements, and recruit trip leaders for the next season’s trips. At this point, our office will send out a letter and application to past participants and anyone who has expressed interest throughout the year. Trips tend to fill up fast, so don’t delay in getting your application to us!
During the second half of the year prior to the trip, our office stays in touch with each volunteer through email, sending packing lists, island information, luggage and basic trip preparations. In the two weeks prior to leave, all details haven been discussed and the travelers are usually ready to go!
During the months of January and February, when the groups are in the West Indies, there is constant communication between our offices and the travelers. Updates are frequently given to us and posted on Facebook. It’s a great way for family members to stay ‘in the loop.’
To learn more information about travel, click below.