HOW TO JOIN
READY TO APPLY?
- Explore our website. Check out our programs and review our admissions requirements.
- Learn more about the chapter path! Click around on the tabs above to learn more about our chapter’s history, funding and financial assistance, and local training.
- Submit your application (it should take around 30 minutes or less) and pay the $75 application fee to hold your spot. Questions or tech issues? Reach out to our Admissions team at [email protected].
APPLICATION DEADLINES
- December 5, 2023 is the priority financial assistance deadline.
- January 16, 2024 is the final chapter deadline.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
In Person Kansas City Chapter Information Session – November 15th
The Kansas City Chapter will hold an information session on Wednesday, November 15th at 7:30 PM at the Round Hill Tennis Club. Round Hill is located at 8932 Maple Circle in Overland Park, Kansas. Past volunteers and AMIGOS board members will be in attendance to share information and answer questions about the program. We encourage you to RSVP using this google form!
Online Info Sessions and Zoom Counseling Call Options
1) Thursday, December 7th at 7:30 PM – Zoom Local KC Chapter Info Session – Link to join here.
2) Online Live Info Sessions on alternating Tuesday and Sunday evenings – RSVP here under the Learn More tab.
3) Individual AMIGOS Info and Project Counseling Call using this link with Krista Boscoe, Senior Director of Recruitment, an AMIGOS alum and the parent of two recent AMIGOS alum. She loves talking more with youth and parents to explore if our projects could be a good fit for the summer.
If you have any questions leading up to the information session, do not hesitate to reach out via email to [email protected]
BENEFITS OF JOINING THE KC CHapter
- In-person training in the spring
- Cost lowered through group fundraising
- Need-based financial assistance available
- Join a community of Kansas City youth!
- Receive support from dedicated board members and past volunteers
INTERVIEWS
The Kansas City Chapter is finalizing their interview schedule. They will host both in-person and virtual interviews.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact [email protected].
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Kansas City Chapter is part of a 10 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Greater Kansas City Metro area train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America. Our board supports volunteers and families with group fundraising, service learning, community building, and overall preparation. Learn more about our Summer Programs here!
HISTORY
Since the Kansas City Chapter’s incorporation in 1972, over 500 youth from Kansas City and its suburbs have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
Kansas City Chapter volunteers attend Bishop Miege, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Colorado College, Cornell College, Lincoln College Prep, Pembroke, Rockhurst, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission North, Shawnee Mission South, St. Theresa’s Academy, The Barstow School, and many more!
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS Kansas City provides need-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 financial assistance deductions on the program fee.
The Kansas City Chapter will waive the $75 application fee for financial assistance applicants. On the application, students should select “Yes” that they intend to apply for financial assistance. Students must select “Yes” to this question in order for the Financial Assistance Application to appear on their dashboard. Then, at the end of the application, they should select, “I request a waiver”.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. We highly encourage you to apply for financial assistance.
RESOURCES:
- All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award.
- To learn more about program fees, check out the Fees and Financial Assistance webpage.
CONTACT:
- Please reach out to the AMIGOS Kansas City Treasurer with any questions regarding financial assistance via email at [email protected].
TRAINING
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
With over 55 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City Chapter Board of Directors.
SERVICE LEARNING
The Kansas City Chapter incorporates service-learning into the AMIGOS training to add depth and first-hand experience to the curriculum. Service‐learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities. Volunteers will self identify and propose a “community based initiative” or CBI to serve the local area. Projects have ranged from tutoring, establishing a dance camp, setting up a blood drive, clean-up events or a special event held for a children’s home. Volunteers are able to learn the challenges of setting up a CBI while giving back to the local community.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDE:
- Unparalleled leadership development
- Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
- Health and safety training
- Opportunities to practice Spanish
- Creating a community of young people with shared values
TRAINING CALENDAR
The Kansas City Chapter is finalizing the winter and spring training calendar. More information will be shared here soon!
FUNDRAISING
GROUP FUNDRAISING
The Kansas City Chapter provides chapter discounts, offers financial assistance, and covers local program costs through fundraising activities. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances.
Fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community. 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, and contact a limited number of prior AMIGOS donors via telephone, to request individual tax-deductible donations (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the student with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.
To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2023 CauseVox Campaign here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kent Erickson
President
[email protected]
Jordan Holsinger
Treasurer
[email protected]
Taylor Harris
Secretary
[email protected]
Kathleen Coode
Financial Assistance
Olivia Riscovallez
Parent Outreach
Mary Wilkinson
Fundraising
Francie Wilson
Outreach Coordinator
Molly Manske
At-Large
Bret Kirkman
At-Large