HOW TO APPLY
READY TO APPLY?
The application to join through the Kansas City Chapter has closed, but there is still time to apply through our National Chapter! Click here to learn more about the National Chapter and apply.
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Kansas City Chapter is part of a 20 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 or Colorado. Our board supports volunteers with packing, pre-departure immunizations, fundraising, and overall preparation. Learn more about our Summer Programs here!
Kansas City 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
FEES & FUNDING
The cost to participate in an AMIGOS Latin America Summer Program in the Kansas City Chapter is $4,375*.
The cost to participate in an AMIGOS Western Colorado Program in the Kansas City Chapter is $5,475*.
The Kansas City Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of family payments and fundraising activities. This approach allows us to keep costs to families low while teaching valuable fundraising and community outreach skills. 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.
*Flight costs are not included. Learn more about airfare and travel support here.
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS
Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of letters and emails to friends, family and supporters 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.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award.
FEES
Non-Refundable Application Fee: $50
Latin America Project Family Fee: $4,375*
Western Colorado Project Family Fee: $5,475*
*Flight costs are not included. Learn more about airfare and travel support here.
FEES INCLUDE
- 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.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides need-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide funds to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee, with a maximum assistance of 75%.
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
- 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
Sunday, February 27th from 1-4pm – Session 1
Sunday, March 27th from 8am-4pm – Session 2
Saturday and Sunday, April 2nd and 3rd – Community Service Event
Sunday, April 24th from 1-4pm – Session 3
Sunday, May 1st from 1-4pm – Session 4
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kent Erickson President President@amigos-kansascity.org 913-526-7396 |
Tricia Wilson Treasurer Treasurer@amigos-kansascity.org |
Lisa Erickson Vice President 913-269-5206 |
Kent Lage Secretary |
Carol Swezy Recruitment Coordinator Recruitment@amigos-kansascity.org 913-522-8891 |
Laura Mombello Paperwork Coordinator paperwork@amigos-kansascity.org 913-579-8676 |
Sheila Dougherty Co-Fundraising Coordinator fundraising@amigos-kansascity.org |
Nacona Ward Co-Fundraising Coordinator fundraising@amigos-kansascity.org |
Becca Wing-Moreno Training Coordinator training@amigos-kansascity.org |
Taylor Harris Assistant Training Director atd@amigos-kansascity.org |
Molly Manske Service Learning |
Kathleen Coode Member-at-Large, Financial Assistance |
Eric Wilson Member-at-Large, Asst. Treasurer |
Rachel Swezy Webmaster |