Mission Statement

Amigos de las Américasinspires and builds young leaders through collaborative community development and cross cultural experiences.

AMIGOS History

• Founded in 1965

• 52 years of

experience in Latin

America

• Over 28,000 alumni

across the Americas

Tucson Chapter• Founded in 1968

• One of 23 chapters across the US

• Successfully trained more than 600 participants to date

• Consistently a top tier chapter for participant

performance and satisfaction

Project Structure

• Experienced Project Leadership Team

• Partnerships of 2-3 participants

• Participants collaborate with community members and local

partner organizations

• Each project has a theme

What do participants do?• Live with a host family

• Collaborate on one or

more community led

projects

• Engage local school

children in activities

related to the project

theme

Participant Safety

Chapter training

Standards of Conduct

Partner system

and in country staff

Living areas

Communties and host families are screened in

advance

CALM Plan

Flexibility in program if necessary

Participant

Safety is

#1

What are the living conditions?

• Host family (screened by AMIGOS)

• Small to medium sized communities

• Range of rural to urban locations

Project Themes

• Environmental

sustainability

• Conservation and

biodiversity

• Youth Entrepreneurship

• Public Health/Nutrition

• Sports and Leadership

• Civic Participation and

Youth Leadership

Can I pick my project?Select top 2 projects when you apply

• 10 projects in 6 countries

• 4-8 weeks

National Office assigns final project

• Costa Rica

• Ecuador

• Mexico

• Dominican Republic

• Nicaragua

• Panama

AMIGOS participants gain...• Leadership skills

• Confidence

• Experience working with

community members

• Improved Spanish skills

• Cultural sensitivity

• Opportunities to stay

involved with AMIGOS

What is training like?• Welcome Potluck (January 7th)

• 15 Monday night meetings (3-4 per month January - May)

• 6:45 to 9:00 p.m.

• 3 Weekend Retreats (Jan/Feb/Apr)

• 3 Parent Meetings

Who can be an AMIGO?

• 16 years old by December 2018

• Completed sophomore year of high school

• 2 years of high school Spanish or equivalent

• Passion and Commitment

How much does it cost?• $2,997 Family Fee*

• Broken into monthly

payments

• $3,800 Fundraising

• Includes chapter

training, travel, food,

lodging, insurance for

the duration of the

project, and project

supplies

*Limited amount of financial aid available.

Deadline to apply for financial aid is November 12th.

How does fundraising work?• Letter writing campaign

• Fundraising event (5K Fun Run)

• Part of training program

Stories from past participants

A parent’s perspective

I’m interested, what do I

do now?

Application process

Apply

• Complete the Online Application (choose 2 projects)

• Submit 2 recommendations (Spanish teacher and one other)

• THE SOONER THE BETTER!

Interview

• Interview for applicant and parents

• Applicant Spanish interview

• Interview scheduled when application is submitted

Accept

• Notified of acceptance within 2 weeks of interview

• Sign and return Chapter Agreement

• Welcome Potluck Sun., Jan. 7th (with 1st training meeting)

*including any/all financial aid paperwork

Contact UsLucy Weeks, Chapter President

president@amigostucson.org

Ariana Garcia, Training Director

training@amigos-tucson.org

Websites:

tucson.amigosinternational.org

www.amigosinternational.org

Questions?