HOW TO APPLY
How to apply:
We are excited to announce that AMIGOS will be offering in-person projects in Latin America and the United States during Summer 2021! Check out our summer projects here!
If you were a volunteer in 2020, we invite you to complete your application here. Once you complete your application, we will connect you directly to your Local Chapter with next steps! All fees, fundraising, and financial assistance from 2020 will carry over to this year, and your price from 2020 is locked in!
If you are a new volunteer who was not signed up for an AMIGOS program in 2020, you will be applying through our National Chapter. Once you complete your application, you will receive an email from our Admissions team outlining next steps! Learn more about the National Chapter here.
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Chicago Urban Chapter is part of a 25 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Chicago area train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America. Our board supports volunteers with packing, pre-departure immunizations, fundraising, and overall preparation. Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, any new volunteers from Chicago applying to 2021 programs should apply through the AMIGOS National Chapter.
FEES & FUNDING
The Chicago Urban Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of fundraising activities and a family fee contribution. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. All volunteers are required to fully take part in each fundraising activity as fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community.This effort primarily takes place from December to June. Volunteers receive considerable help with regard to fundraising strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will build important skills!
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS
Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of letters and 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.
Silent Auction
Each volunteer is required to participate in preparation and attend a Silent Auction to be held in the Spring. Volunteers will be responsible for soliciting items for the silent auction and assisting in setup of the event.
Additional funding opportunities
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. More info here.
FEES
If you were signed up for our 2020 Summer Immersion programs, all fees, fundraising, and financial assistance from 2020 will carry over this year, and your price from 2020 is locked in!
If you were not signed up for amigos in 2020, click here to see our 2021 programs!
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
For any family reapplying from Summer 2020, Family Financial Agreements will need to be to be resigned.
Reach out to your Local Chapter for specifics about your financial agreement this year.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
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 of $500–$1,500 to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. The Financial Assistance Application deadline has passed. Please contact your Chapter President for additional information.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DEADLINE
The Financial Assistance deadline has passed.
TRAINING
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 Chicago Urban 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 by the Training Team and include guest speakers from the community and the Board of Directors.
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
TRAINING CALENDAR
Pre–departure training for 2021 programs will be done through a combination of mandatory online modules and optional webinars. Training will also take place in country upon arrival. Once you apply, we will reach out with more information on the pre-departure training timeline and expectations.
Your Local Chapter may offer additional local opportunities to connect virtually with AMIGOS in your area. If you have questions about this, please reach out to chapters@amigosinternational.org.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mattie Young-Burns President president@amigos-urbanchicago.org |
Laura Corona Parent Coordinator parent-coordinator@amigos-urbanchicago.org |
Emily Belin Treasurer treasurer@amigos-urbanchicago.org |
Molly Friend Fundraising Coordinator fundraising@amigos-urbanchicago.org |
Sarah Clatanoff Equipment Coordinator |
Jennifer Thompson At-Large |
Metzli Correa At-Large |
Recruitment & Training Team
Lauren Antosz Recruitment Coordinator recruitment@amigos-urbanchicago.org Eleanor Dollear Training Director training@amigos-urbanchicago.org Gracie Gramelspacher Assistant Training Director training@amigos-urbanchicago.org |
MEDIA